Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) is really a
warm-season turf species prized for its drought tolerance and a potential to withstand
heavy site visitors and slight shade nicely. A healthful zoysiagrass lawn will likely be fairly dense, which makes it possible for it to manage put on and stay away from weed troubles. Zoysiagrass lawns do have a tendency to create excessive thatch, the layer of living grass stems tangled with dead plant material that accumulates amongst the soil surface and also the green portion in the grass stems. Thinning this
thatch layer routinely will support sustain turf vigor.
About Thatch
A thin thatch layer is helpful, assisting to conserve soil moisture and limit weed seed germination. Nonetheless, exactly where a thatch layer greater than about 1/2 inch thick develops it could block air, moisture, and nutrients from effectively reaching grass roots. A thick thatch layer leaves the turf vulnerable to scalping, drought stress and invading weeds. It may also encourage pests and fungal difficulties.
Dethatching Timing and Frequency
Dethatching has typically warranted anytime a thatch layer is greater than 1/2 inch thick. A thick thatch layer will give the lawn a bouncy really feel. In case your lawn exhibits scalping or unexpected drought stress symptoms, verify the depth of the thatch layer. Zoysiagrass will recover from dethatching ideal when it truly is actively growing in mid-to-late spring or early fall and usually positive aspects from annual dethatching. In case you program to apply a pre-emergent herbicide, wait till following dethatching to prevent disrupting the herbicide.
The Dethatching Procedure
A hand tool called a thatching rake is appropriate for use in tiny lawn regions. This rake functions thick, sturdy blades which might be dragged more than the turf to loosen the thatch and bring it as much as the surface for removal and disposal. For bigger places, a vertical mower, obtainable for rent at house improvement shops, will dethatch the zoysiagrass a lot more effectively than a rake. This machine, also called a verticutter or dethatcher is run twice more than a freshly-mowed and slightly moistened lawn, using the second pass perpendicular towards the 1st. Dethatching has usually performed a portion of an annual upkeep regimen. Dethatching is ideally performed initial and followed by
aerating, fertilizing and, if required,
overseeding.
Further Zoysiagrass Care Considerations
Supplying a zoysiagrass lawn with outstanding care can lessen the want for dethatching and maintain the turf uniformly eye-catching and vigorous. Zoysiagrass rewards most from infrequent, deep irrigation that
wets at the very least the leading six to eight inches of soil. Light, frequent watering encourages a shallow root technique and low drought tolerance. The perfect mowing height for zoysiagrass is relatively low, at 1/2 to 1 inch. As a common rule, never ever eliminate greater than one-third of a grass blade within a single mowing session, as this scalping can force speedy thatch accumulation. Fertilize the zoysiagrass appropriately to encourage vigor but not excessive development. The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Plan suggests that from April via October, when zoysiagrass is actively growing, it need to obtain a total of two to four pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
More About Zoysia Grass
