Welcome to the world of lush, vibrant lawns! If you’ve chosen Zoysia turf grass for your garden, you’ve made a fantastic choice. Zoysia is celebrated for its beauty, resilience, and adaptability, making it a favourite among Australian homeowners.
At Australian Lawn Concepts, we pride ourselves on supplying premium Zoysia turf, helping transform your outdoor spaces into stunning green vistas. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the essential aspects of Zoysia turf management that every new turf owner should know.
Understanding Zoysia Turf
Zoysia grass, originally from East Asia, is a warm-season grass known for its ability to withstand heat, drought, and even moderate cold. Its drought tolerance is a key feature, making it an excellent choice for maintaining grass health during dry conditions. It’s a slow-growing grass that forms a thick, carpet-like lawn, crowding out weeds and maintaining a deep green colour. There are several types of Zoysia, but they all share common traits that make them ideal for Australian climates.
Types of Zoysia Turf Varieties
At Australian Lawn Concepts, we understand that each property has unique needs based on its environment and aesthetic preferences. That’s why we offer a diverse range of varieties of Zoysia turf, each with distinct characteristics to cater to various landscaping requirements. Here’s a closer look at our Zoysia turf offerings:
We also provide medium textured zoysia grass, known for its durability and versatility, making it suitable for various Australian environments.
Zoysia Australis, a tough and hardy variety with an attractive blue/green leaf color, is ideal for Australian families and versatile for installation in different environments.
Empire Zoysia
Empire Zoysia is renowned for its versatility and stunning visual appeal. With a soft texture and a robust deep green colour, this variety stands out for its beauty and practicality.
Empire Zoysia is highly drought-resistant, reducing the need for frequent watering making it an eco-friendly option for homeowners. It adapts well to both sunny and shaded areas, maintaining its lushness across different light conditions. This resilience makes Empire Zoysia a popular choice for residential lawns where consistency in appearance and ease of maintenance are priorities.
Augusta Zoysia
Augusta Zoysia is celebrated for its fine texture and exceptional performance in high-traffic areas. It has a remarkable ability to recover quickly from wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for golf courses and premium residential lawns where aesthetic appeal and durability are essential.
Augusta Zoysia’s dense growth habit not only enhances its elegant appearance but also helps in resisting weed invasions, ensuring a clean and tidy look throughout the year.
Nara Native Zoysia
Nara Native Zoysia is a true Australian gem, being a native variety that thrives in the local climate. It’s exceptionally hardy and well-adapted to coastal areas, where it can withstand the challenging conditions of salt spray and sandy soils.
Its robust nature doesn’t compromise on aesthetics; Nara Native Zoysia provides a beautiful, dense turf with a vibrant green colour that enhances the natural beauty of any landscape.
Planting Your Zoysia Turf
Install Zoysia grass during the optimal seasons to ensure a lush and healthy lawn. Proper installation is crucial for establishing a successful Zoysia lawn that will thrive and maintain its beauty for years. Follow these detailed steps to ensure the best results:
Soil Preparation
Before laying your new turf, it’s essential to create a welcoming environment for it to establish its roots and prevent broadleaf weeds. Begin with clearing the area of any weeds, debris, or old grass. It’s crucial to start with a clean slate to prevent future issues.
Next, till the soil to a depth of about 150mm (6 inches). This depth ensures that the roots can easily penetrate and establish themselves. After tilling, enrich the soil. This will improve the soil’s fertility, enhance its structure, and increase its ability to retain moisture—all critical factors for the health of Zoysia turf.
Laying the Turf
Once your soil is prepared, you can begin laying the Zoysia turf. Start from a straight edge, such as a driveway or a garden path, to ensure your lines are neat. Lay the turf pieces close together to avoid gaps, as open spaces can lead to uneven growth and weed penetration.
Stagger the joints in a brickwork pattern to prevent lines from forming across the lawn, which can compromise the lawn’s overall strength and aesthetic appeal. Make sure each piece is snug against its neighbours without overlapping or creating folds.
Watering
Proper watering immediately after installation is critical to the success of your new Zoysia lawn. Water your turf deeply on the first day to help settle the soil and turf together and start the rooting process. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, as excessive water can lead to fungal diseases or root rot.
During the first few weeks, it’s essential to water the lawn frequently to maintain moisture until the turf is well established. As Zoysia is drought-tolerant once established, you can gradually reduce the watering frequency, encouraging the turf to develop a deep, robust root system.
Aftercare
In the weeks following installation, keep an eye on your new Zoysia lawn for signs of stress or uneven growth to ensure healthy zoysia lawns. Adjust your watering schedule based on weather conditions and the lawn’s appearance. If the turf begins to look dry or brown, increase the frequency or duration of watering. Conversely, if the area appears soggy or the turf feels soft underfoot, allow it to dry out before watering again.
Proper care during these initial stages will ensure that your Zoysia turf becomes a lush, green, and resilient lawn. Remember, the effort you put into installing and establishing your lawn correctly will pay off with a beautiful and durable turf for many years.
Caring for Your Zoysia Lawn
Although Zoysia is known for its resilience and low maintenance requirements, proper care is essential to maintain its lush, green appearance and health. Additionally, Zoysia varieties like Sir Grange require less mowing, allowing homeowners to enjoy their lawns more and spend less time on labor-intensive tasks. Here’s how you can keep your Zoysia lawn looking its best:
Shade tolerance is another important factor to consider when selecting Zoysia varieties, as some types, like Zoysia matrella, excel in shady conditions compared to others like Zoysia macrantha.
Watering
Zoysia grass is notably drought-tolerant, which means it requires less water compared to many other turf varieties. However, the key to effective watering is to water deeply but infrequently. This method encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, searching for moisture, which in turn helps the grass withstand dry periods better.
Mowing
Proper mowing practices are crucial for maintaining a healthy Zoysia lawn. Zoysia should be kept trimmed to a height of about 40-50mm. It is important not to mow the grass too short, as doing so can stress the grass, making it more susceptible to diseases and weed invasion.
Fertilising
Feeding your Zoysia lawn with the right nutrients is essential for its growth and health. Apply a slow-release fertiliser specifically formulated for Zoysia grass in the early spring to kickstart its growth after the winter dormancy. A second application in late summer can help sustain its strength as it prepares for the cooler months.
Weed and Pest Control
Even though Zoysia is naturally resistant to many pests and weeds, keeping an eye out for any signs of a patchy lawn can prevent larger issues down the road. Treat weeds promptly using products specifically safe for Zoysia grass, ensuring that they do not take over the lawn. For pests like grubs, which can occasionally affect Zoysia lawns, use targeted treatments to eliminate them without harming the grass.
Seasonal Care
Zoysia’s care requirements change with the seasons. In preparation for winter, ensure your Zoysia lawn is healthy and well-fed; consider aerating and dethatching if necessary. These practices help improve soil drainage and reduce the buildup of organic matter, respectively, keeping your lawn healthy year-round.
Partnering with Australian Lawn Concepts
At Australian Lawn Concepts, we’re experts in lawn care and turf solutions. While we don’t offer maintenance services, our team is always ready to provide advice and support to ensure your Zoysia lawn thrives. Whether you’re installing a new lawn or upgrading your existing turf, we can help you select the right Zoysia variety and guide you through the installation process.
For more information or to discuss your next project, contact us and buy Zoysia turf today.