Converting cool & warm season
lawns to ZOYSIA:

Instructions on how to convert an existing turf grass to a Zenith or Compadre lawn with seeds. 

Seeding into existing lawns without first killing them is not generally recommended as it is hard for the little slower growing Zoysias seedlings to survive competition from your established grass.  Use plugs for lawns that will not be killed. 

These instructions also apply to establishment in warm season grasses, though often a warm season grass may be harder to kill with a glyphosphate such as Roundup.  You may end up with a mixed lawn if the lawn is not totally killed through multiple treatments and patience!  Tilling the soil such as was done in our Pictorial guide is best planting method (see www.grassing.com )... but may people simply don't or can't go to that level of preparation.

Apply Roundup® at label recommended rates to kill existing plant cover.  IF you do NOT want to kill your existing lawn.. then you should consider planting plugs and NOT seeds.  Apply a second application if needed to completely kill existing grass.

Just prior to seeding your zoysia (at correct time), scalp the lawn and remove debris and clippings.

Aerate to bring soil to the surface. A hollow tine arefyer is best (core aerator), but if not available a spike aerator will suffice.  Vertical mowers can be used to help make little slits in the soil that are good for seeds making proper soil contact.

Apply lime and fertilizer as needed to adjust pH to 6.0-7.5 and lime as needed.  Obtain a soil test to determine pH.

Plant at 45 to 90 lbs per acre (1-2 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. - 50 to 100 kg/H).

Using a drop or broadcast spreader, spread 1/2 of your seed one direction and 1/2 in another to provide good coverage.  (First broadcast East-West, then North-South).  A slit seeder can be used for more precise planting.  These can be rented from some rental companies. 

Roll after seeding if possible to smooth area and insure good seed/soil contact.

Do NOT cover seeds more than 1/4 inch with soil.  Light is a key factor in germination and ideal planting depth is 1/8 inch. The seeds will NOT germinate broadcast on top of the soil.

Irrigate to keep soil moist (2 to 3 times daily for the first 14 to 21 days or until seedlings are observed.).

After seedlings have emerged, irrigate to keep good moisture in the soil to a depth of 1 inch.  DO NOT OVER WATER!  Too much water can cause seedling diseases and kill your new grass.

FERTILIZER SUGGESTIONS:
Four (4), Eight (8) & twelve (12) weeks after planting apply 400 lbs per acre (about 9 lbs per 1000 sq. ft) of a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 fertilizer.

Avoid application of fertilizers high in nitrogen in the late fall. For established turf (2 years and older), apply the equivalent of 1 pound of nitrogen every 2 to 4 growing months using a balanced fertilizer.  You should determine the correct fertilizer based on a soil test.  Contact your Cooperative Extension agent for help on this.

MOWING:

• Mow lower areas if possible with a reel mower.  The grass can be mowed with a rotary mower at higher levels.  Begin mowing at 2 inches (50mm) height as soon as grass or weeds can be cut.  If using a rotary mower you may want to continue cutting at 2 inch height.  Reel mowers can be gradually reduced to 3/4 to 1/2 inch over time.

• Zoysia generally requires 10 fewer mowings than the average Bermudagrass lawn.

• Always use "SHARP" mower blades for best results.  Zoysia is a tough grass that requires a clean cut to look good.  Only sharp blades will give you this look.

DO NOT PLANT ZOYSIA SEED if a pre-emerge herbicide has been applied with the previous 60 days.  Do not use herbicides until after about 12 weeks of growth has occurred.

Read more about how to convert
cool season grass lawns to Zoysia.

MORE RECOMMENDED ZOYSIA READING:
Read about Compadre and Zenith
Read our suggestions on planting Zoysia from seed.
Read When to Plant seeds of Zoysia.
Need Zoysia plugs?
Buy at: www.lawnplug.com
Plug Info at www.lawnplugs.com

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