How fast will zoysia spread

You might be asking: when to plant Zoysia grass? It can also be planted in fall right before the start of frost.

So how long does Zoysia grass take to grow? Well, compared to other types of grasses, Zoysia grass takes a little bit longer to spread, but the wait is definitely worth it. If you want it to spread fast, consider a seeding it with a good fertilizer and weed preventer. Do you need some help planting and growing Zoysia grass in your lawn?

This could be a concrete pavement or paver, metal edging or border, weeding or the occasional herbicide. Zoysia grass plugs must be planted in spring or early summer to have enough time to grow before the first frost of fall hits. Plant at least 60 days before the weather turns cold to give your zoysia plugs time to grow. Before planting, prepare your lawn by watering it two days in advance so that the ground is soft and moist.

Special garden tools can make digging easier. Break up your yard into sections when planting to ensure all areas are evenly covered. Plant your zoysia plugs in a diamond-shaped or checkerboard pattern at least 6 to 12 inches apart depending on the size of the lawn. Smaller lawns are fine with 6 inches apart. Plugs will need to be planted deep enough in soft, fertilized soil. Dig the hole for your plug at least an inch deeper and wider than the plug itself. Place compost or fertilizer in the plug hole to help the roots take hold.

Zoysia can also be planted in bare soil without preparation if the soil is rich enough to help the plant grow. Plugs must be planted after the hole is dug. Douse the area after planting so that the plugs do not dry out in the transition. If you use sod plugs, it might take a couple of months for them to take hold and spread.

That will also vary by how much sod you use, the square feet of yard you have, and how you attend to the grass during its growth period. There are two options for planting and growing Zoysia grass from seeds: you can till your existing yard to mix the grass and roots into the soil, then plant the seeds in the bare soil. You can also overseed your current yard, which results in the grass mixing and filling in, then crowding out the old grass system.

From planting the seeds to germination is usually three to four weeks, a little longer than other kinds of grass. The Zoysia species has a shorter-than-average root system, reaching just about two inches below the soil. This allows it to benefit from the rich bioactivity, oxygen, and water content of the topsoil.

Whereas, spreading seed into a properly prepared seed bed, followed by light raking or rolling, is quick and satisfying. With plugs, progress is slow. If planted at the recommended 1 plug per square foot, it can take 3 years for plugs to grow into an established lawn.