What A Difference Zenith Zoysia Can Make

The difference is a modest 18 weeks, over a very dry wet season in 2015/ 2016.  Quite startling!

And there was a hiccup or two along the way with some nutritional issues that caused a bit of yellowing - solved with appropriate fertiliser treatment.

The property is in Townsville, north Queensland.

Photos show before and after, plus a close up of the turf density at around 18 weeks.

Could you home benefit from a similar lift?

Please contact us for more information how using Zenith zoysia turf seed could help you achieve a great looking turf area at your property.

Before sowing Zenith zoysia

After 18 weeks -Zenith zoysia turf

Close up of density of Zenith zoysia turf

Sowing Compadre Zoysia Seed - Starter Fertiliser

The starter fertiliser we suggest is Nitrophoska Blue , Yara Mila [ sometimes sold as Yara Hydrocomplex] , Crop King 55 or Crop King 88.  All are okay and have slightly different NPK blends, and different retailers sell them,  so you need to see what might be around in your area through Bunnings, Elders, Landmark etc.

Companies such as Lesco and Scotts which specialise in turf products and equipment, also have small prilled, turf starter fertiliser with some slow release nitrogen.  Quite good to use but can be more expensive and may be more difficult to source.

 

Commonly the NPK ratios are around 20: 12: 15, often with 5-10% sulfur as well, plus trace elements, for these starter fertilisers.

 

There are other brands as well, but many other brands are less well known and less available for smaller users.

 

Use what is available and attractively priced in your region.  These products are soluble fertiliser and can be mobile ie leach, and need additional fertiliser within about 4 weeks of application.

 

We recommend 2kg / 100 sq m at or before sowing, another 2kg/100 sq m at about 4-6 weeks [after emergence and when small seedlings are present] and then to switch to a slow release turf product at about 8-10 weeks, and then repeat every 12 weeks after that, until cooler months [say May or June].  From the next year in September / October restart the slow release fertiliser and repeat at 12 weeks intervals.  From midway in the next year, cease fertiliser application when cooler weather starts, then recommence with a 2 or 3 times per year schedule of slow release turf fertiliser from September /October,  omitting mid-summer and mid-winter periods. [more details on product in an earlier post] 

For zoysia use half of the recommended rate on the bag, so normally use about 2kg/100 sq m [ usual recommendation is 3-5kg/100 sq m, which is based around couch - do not need as much for zoysia.]

 

It is very important to spread fertiliser evenly.  Use a push type spreader or a small hand applicator for smaller areas.  Lightly water into the ground after application, aiming to avoid burning the small seedlings.  In hot weather, apply fertiliser late afternoon or early evening to avoid burning plants.

 

 

Which Fertiliser for Compadre Zoysia?

Choice of fertiliser is always a bit of a conundrum these days with so many types and blends available.

There is some benefit in using organic fertiliser for example pelletised chicken manure , or DPM - densified poultry manure.  It adds organic matter and some nutrients but the nutrient level is relatively low, and it can be more expensive if freight costs are an issue eg in rural and remote areas.  It can be short in some nutrients as well.  It can be useful if the turf is growing on light sandy loam soil or sand.

Conventional inorganic fertiliser is modestly priced, and there are blends that mostly meet criteria for use on turf, but all have generally rapid availability of nutrients and they can often leach quickly.  Because they are mostly readily available you get rapid lawn growth = more mowing, then the nutrients disappear and you need more, maybe in 4 weeks.  And more mowing still!!  Not the best choice at all.

Slow release turf fertilisers are ideal.  They release the nutrients, especially the nitrogen, over an extended period [often 10 -16 weeks, but longer release period products are also available].  The result is less mowing, a better appearance lawn and better availability of plant nutrients.  Many are available in small bags through garden stores and chain shops - 2-4kg sizes, but for best cost effectiveness, buy a 25kg bag and store it in a sealed plastic bin, in the bag.  It will stay usable for 2-3 years at a lower cost.

Domestic Compadre zoysia turf - Darwin area, 20 weeks after sowing seed

The blend is important, and a general use product has around 15- 25% nitrogen, 1-3% phosphorus and 10 -20% potassium, plus some sulfur [ 5-10%] , trace elements if possible, and most importantly a small amount of iron - 0.5 -1.0%.  The iron boosts the lawn colour to a lovely green, without much effect on growth.

The potassium level is important, particularly in wetter and /or warmer climates.  Potassium is mobile so can leach out in wetter periods but its role is to strengthen cell walls and provide better stress resistance, hence the need for decent potassium levels in hot weather.  Modest to low phosphorus is better, assuming the soil does have a reasonable base P level.  With more P you tend to promote legume growth [ essentially a weed in turf].

For zoysia, which is not a prolific growing lawn, the iron is especially important as mowing is less frequent and that delightful green colour is impressive for many weeks, without being cut off.

The other question is always how much.  We suggest halving any recommendation on a fertiliser bag if applying to zoysia, of any type.  Many products recommend 3 - 4kg/100 sq m for slow release fertiliser for eg couch lawns.  For zoysia - 1-2 kg/100 sq m is usually enough.  The exception may be on new lawns less than 1 year old, when you are building up a store in the soil when the recommended rate may be okay in peak growth periods.

And of course in cooler months - applying fertiliser is really not needed as the lawn is not growing very much anyway.  And not too much in wet summer conditions - it means more mowing!

If one of the common types of slow release turf fertiliser is used with a nominal 12 week release period, for zoysia of any type - twice a year is okay, once established.  Nominally apply in Autumn and Spring [or late wet season and late dry season].

The fertiliser question is always tricky and individual areas may require a slightly modified approach in areas where particular nutrients are in short supply or even may be in abundance.

But the above maxims apply in many areas, and are a suitable starting point.

Enjoy your zoysia turf.....and apply a bit of TLC!!

Zoysia - Is it the Best Lawn for Australia?

The following article has been taken from the web site http://www.thelawnguide.com.au/ and used with permission.  Thanks!  It complements a lot of zoysia material already available on this blog, and is worth having available to read.

We are strong advocates of zoysia as a turf in Australia, especially in warmer areas, based on over thirty years of research and development in the tropics.  The slower growth, less pest and disease issues and shade tolerance make it a great lawn.  But anywhere north of Sydney on the coast and in the Perth area and into the northwest areas - Broome and Karratha for example, are also suitable.  Try it yourself!

Zoysia is a well respected turf in Asian countries for golf courses, where it is slowly achieving a more positive use profile in lieu of couch.  It is widely used on soccer football grounds in Thailand, Laos, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and China.  Zoysia has for many years been the median strip grass of choice in Thailand and adjoining countries, and is of increasing use as a domestic lawn.  Singapore Kranji Racetrack also has horse races on zoysia turf, and most of the better golf courses in Singapore and Malaysia have zoysia fairways, with some already moving to replace couch grass on the greens.

Shade tolerance is a critical issue, with couch especially often dying in areas of shade, and that includes on sporting fields in the shadow of the grandstand.  For home and commercial areas, most want to establish shrubs and often trees around a turfed area.  Once they grow - there is shade!  Zoysia can handle that well.

In the Darwin area there are quite a lot of examples of zoysia growing in deep shade below a large African mahogany tree, as well as in council park areas with trees.  Couch turf cannot survive in shade.  There are other shade tolerant turf species, but none with as good a turf performance as zoysia, overall.

We have seed available of Compadre zoysia and will deliver across Australia.
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Why We Believe Zoysia Is The Best Lawn For Australia


The Lawn Guide is putting massive new focus onto Zoysia grass as the best lawn type for use in all the warmer regions of Australia. Here are all the reasons why we believe in Zoysia to become the future dominant grass type in the country.



Compadre zoysia seed sown  - Darwin

We also recognise that Zoysia will not be the preferred lawn for many people, and we always encourage everyone to carefully look into the lawns they are considering, which may also include having a look at a Zoysia lawn prior to choosing this or any other lawn type for possible purchase. Because at the end of the day, the homeowner should be both fully informed and happy that they not only like the new grass they are purchasing for their home, but that it is also most highly suitable for their needs.

Zoysia Is Soft

Coming in first place is the softness of the Zoysia lawn. Zoysia is a lovely soft lawn to both walk across barefoot, or for children to play on. Zoysia has no irritating qualities to children, adults or pets.

Slow Growth Rates

One of the very best traits in favour of Zoysia is it's slow growth rate. Slow growth equates to far less lawn mowing than other grasses. Less lawn mowing means far less time spent mowing the lawn, or a saving in lawn mowing fees when using a contractor for lawn care. Finally, less lawn mowing means far less carbon emissions from using the lawn mower.



Darwin waterfront area - Compadre zoysia



This slower growth will also mean far less invading of the lawn into surrounding garden beds, which means less garden edging, and almost none of those big garden cleanups which require us to pull up or poison large amounts of grass from our gardens.

Slow growth rates also make Zoysia a very low risk to the Australian environment, where the grass almost never escapes into the wild, and if it ever does, it is very easy and quick to control.

Zoysia also has very low levels of thatch, requiring almost no de-thatching whatsoever through it's life.

Zoysia Is A Tough Guy

Zoysia is tough, it tolerates wear and tear very well, and can even tolerate the rigours of some sporting fields. This trait means Zoysia will not damage as quickly from rigorous activity as some other grasses can.

However, this resistance to wear and tear is balanced out by it's slow growth rate. Once Zoysia does become damaged, it will be slower to repair than a more aggressive lawn type.

So for most Aussie homes and businesses, Zoysia will suit perfectly and tolerate the wear and tear from these environments with ease.

Shade Tolerance

Zoysia has good tolerance to shade. Shade tolerance will be less than Buffalo and Durban Grass, but has greater shade tolerance than Couch and Kikuyu. So if shade is of moderate concern then Zoysia is a worthwhile consideration.

Low Fertiliser Use

Zoysia is also renowned for it very low need for fertiliser throughout the year. For the average homeowner who wants a the lowest maintenance lawn possible, fertilising once a year is often enough to keep the lawn looking good.

For those people who want a more manicured style lawn, then fertilising rates can be bumped up slightly to achieve this desired outcome. Even with this increase, Zoysia will still need less fertiliser than other grasses.

Less fertiliser usage makes Zoysia a great choice for an environmentally responsible lawn.

Low Water Use

Zoysia is a famed low water use grass. In fact, the best way to water Zoysia is to turn off all reticulation and only ever give Zoysia a drink of water when it shows signs of deteriorating from water loss. It's at this time we can give Zoysia a nice deep drink of water until next time it tells us it needs a drink.

Drought Tolerance

Along with most warm season grasses, Zoysia tolerates and recovers from drought very well.

Zoysia appears to brown off quicker than other warm season grasses when drought conditions arrive, but has equally excellent recovery from drought when compared to other grasses.

Studies in this area often show Zoysia to recover more slowly than other grasses, and that's OK. This simply shows Zoysia as a slower growing grass - which it is, and as such it will not grow and repair at the enormous speeds that a highly aggressive grass like Couch will. While drought repair may be slower, the chances of full repair are equal to other grasses, and after drought - Zoysia will continue to provide a far lower maintenance lawn over the years.

Weed Pest and Disease Resistant

The Zoysia family of grasses are highly resistant to many common weeds, pests and diseases. However, this does not mean Zoysia is immune to these problems, just less prone when compared to other lawn types.

When it does become necessary to treat lawn problems, Zoysia has excellent tolerance to all weed, pest and disease treatments, which is on par with Couch grass tolerance to these products.

For these reasons, Zoysia is both low maintenance, and is environmentally friendly.

Weeds

Zoysia has a very thick, dense and tightly woven layer of stolons (above ground runners) which will effectively choke out any new growth of invading weeds. This mat of stolons will continue to thicken over the first 3 years of the lawn being established.

Zoysia is not completely immune to weeds or invading grasses, but instead has very high resistance to being invaded. As a result, Zoysia will require far less weeding maintenance, including the use of weed sprays than most other lawn types.

Lawn Pests

Zoysia has brilliant natural resistance to lawn pests such as grubs and armyworm. Studies have shown that many lawn pests will often avoid a Zoysia lawn whenever there is an alternative lawn type such as Couch nearby, which the pests will invade in preference over the Zoysia, the same studies have shown that some lawn pests can sometimes die after feeding on Zoysia.

Zoysia is not immune to lawn pests, but they are significantly less prone to experiencing these problems.

Less lawn pest problems means less maintenance work and less use of chemical pesticides to treat pests. This makes Zoysia low maintenance and environmentally friendly.

Lawn Disease

Zoysia is also less prone to lawn diseases than other grass types, which also reduces the use of chemical sprays and homeowner maintenance. Making Zoysia an easy care lawn which is environmentally friendly due to the highly reduced use of lawn chemicals.

Zoysia The Way You Like It

The last great Zoysia characteristic is it's ability to be the lawn we all want - and with less effort.

Zoysia can be neglected with almost no watering whatsoever, no fertilising, and no mowing for months, and it will never become out of control or grow to the heights and weediness and thatch levels of grasses like Couch and Kikuyu. You simply give the grass another mow, and it all looks pretty good again.

For almost all lawn owners in Australia who want a nice looking lawn with minimum effort, minimum lawn mowing, least lawn problems, lowered costs, and is most environmentally friendly, then Zoysia is the perfect grass. Fertilise and water the lawn minimally, and mowing when required is all that's required to keep Zoysia up to a very high standard for most homes in Australia.

For those of us who like a manicured lawn, it's simply a case of increasing fertilising, increasing water, and increasing mowing frequency, and Zoysia will develop into a beautifully crafted lawn. And even with all of this, Zoysia will still maintain at this high standard with less work, and at less cost than other grasses.

This Is Why We Love Zoysia

And these are all the reasons we believe Zoysia should become the standard grass for use in all the warmer regions of Australia from now on.

In our opinion, Zoysia is the lowest maintenance lawn available, requiring the least watering, least pesticide use, least fertiliser use, experiences the least problems and requires the least lawn mowing. On top of this, Zoysia is tough and hard wearing, drought tolerant, and looks good under almost all conditions.

Zoysia has the lowest maintenance costs, with the least effort, and with the lowest negative impacts to the environment, and this is why we love Zoysia.

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