Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Zoysia for pond turf.

I have planted patches of zoysia around my property and thought it might be a good choice for around pond and back of dam. It grows so thick you hardly ever see a weed besides wild onions. I like how slow it grows. Parts of my yard will be knee high, but the zoysia will be lucky to be 3 inches. Anything to consider before preceding?

How did your zoysia survive the summer last year? Did you have to water it, or was it as drought resistant as advertised.

Also, does it spread slower than Bermuda? That could be an issue.

I have a zoysia lawn and my water bill from last year will attest that it is not drought tolerant. Varieties will go dormant in a drought and its ability to come back depends on the severity of the drought and the particular strain of grass.

It does grow slower than bermuda but is less tolerant to traffic...my dogs and kids have done a number on the back yard at my home.

It is also more difficult to mow...the grass is very dense and is harder on blades. I had to get a good mower and sharpen the blade twice during the season.

As it is so thick, it also thatches, which could be an issue if you let it get too tall.

When it's good, it's good though...walking barefoot on it is a real joy during the summer.

Still suggest Bermuda grass if it is in your area.

Mine just went dormant as most grass did in drought which is a plus in my opinion. What i like about zoysia is it will grow on bare clay. I burn the stuff after it dies in fall. Because it becomes very flammable, especially when wind is blowing. I don't wanna brush fire to light it on a windy day and ignite my house and shed. Ive seen this stuff burn 10 feet in 3 seconds on a windy day. I think controlled burning on a calm day would remove most thatch. I have found out not to buy over internet. Just go to lowes and buy some sod and cut into 3" plugs. Had a yard full of weeds, but its already greening up I noticed yesterday. not sure if Bermuda will grow in my area. I will have read up on this grass.

My dad grew zoysia for his lawn, he always burned it off either in the fall or winter, weeds were extremely rare and I had never heard of de-thatching until many years later. It will spread and take over just about anything(it took over in a large portion of the neighbor's yard also which had an established centipede cover), so that is one thing to consider also depending on areas that you may not want it growing, trying to control it will be one more chore to add to the list.

Bermuda.....I wish I had it everywhere. Golf courses use it for fairways....makes for a great lie whether it is green and growing or brown and dormant.
It will turn brown when nights drop below 55* and stay there, but comes back fast when nights warm up.

sean

Looks like zoysia. Bermuda not looking good for those elusive cold winters of the past.
http://www.lawn-care-academy.com/zoysia-grass.html