Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Zoysia Grass Vs. Bermuda

Zoysia Grass Vs. Bermuda
Zoysia grass (Zoysia japonica) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) are warm-season turf grasses that thrive at temperatures among 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and turn brown in their winter dormant intervals. Zoysia grass grows in U.S. Division of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 by means of ten, and Bermuda grass is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones seven by way of 10. Bermuda grass grows faster than zoysia grass, but this feature can be a disadvantage in case the Bermuda grass gets invasive.

Different Between zoysia vs bermuda grass

Below we will discuss the different between zoysia vs bermuda grass.

Zoysia Grass

Zoysia grass features a fine to medium texture as well as a dark green colour. The 1/10-inch-wide leaf blades, which are stiffer than Bermuda grass blades, have short hairs and emerge at right angles for the leaf stalks. The seeds form along opposite sides of the spike. Zoysia grass spreads gradually along above-ground stolons and underground rhizomes, and requires two to four many years to establish from plugs or sod. It grows into a dense, uniform lawn that tolerates heavy traffic. You can read about  types of zoysia grass seed to learn more

Bermuda Grass

Widespread Bermuda grass is really a grayish green, medium- to coarse-textured grass that tolerates heavy traffic. It's 1/4-inch-wide, hairless leaf blades and branched flower spikes. Typical Bermuda grass establishes from sod, plugs, stolons or seed, and quickly spreads along stolons and rhizomes. Hybrid Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.), which also tolerates traffic, has leaf blades as narrow as 1/16 inch and kinds a denser lawn than typical Bermuda grass. Cultivars include fine-textured, bluish green “Tifgreen” and medium-textured, dark green “Tifway II.” Except for “Savannah” and a few other cultivars, most hybrids do not produce seed and need to establish from sod or stolons.

Culture

Bermuda grass requires complete sun, but zoysia grass grows in full sun or partial shade. Both grasses desire soil pH in between 5.five and seven.0, and need one inch of water every single week during spring and summer. Zoysia needs 1/2 pound of nitrogen per one,000 square feet each month starting three weeks following the lawn turns green, and twice more mid- to late summer, states the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. Bermuda grass requirements 1/2 to one pound of nitrogen per one,000 square feet each four to six weeks in spring and summer. Having a reel mower, mow Bermuda grass to 3/4 inch to one inch high and zoysia grass to 1/2 inch high, but consider care to not scalp the lawn.

Pests and Disease

Both Bermuda grass and zoysia grass are susceptible to pests such as microscopic nematodes, which trigger thinning, stunting and yellow patches. To control nematodes, clean soil from your lawn equipment and do not introduce soil from an infested area. Both grasses are prone to ailments like rust, which triggers weak, rust-colored, patches in nitrogen-poor lawns, and spring dead spot, which causes 12-inch circular dead areas at temperatures below 65 degrees F. Correct fertilization and other acceptable cultural practices help prevent pests and illnesses in both grasses.

Invasive Bermuda Grass

As opposed to slow-growing zoysia, Bermuda grass can turn out to be an invasive weed. Black plastic mulch and shade trees block sunlight and help control sun-loving Bermuda grass. Within the summer, cover closely mowed Bermuda grass with clear plastic mulch if you need to solarize and kill the grass and seeds. You can spray glyphosate herbicide on vigorously growing Bermuda grass, but keep the herbicide away from your garden plants. Mix 2/3 ounce of glyphosate per gallon of water, and spray the grass on a calm day. Wear protective clothing; keep other people and pets away through the sprayed grass.

More About Zoysia Grass