Zoysia grass plugs must be planted in spring or early summer to have enough time to grow before the first frost of fall hits. It is the method of choice in the cooler part of the Zoysia-growing zone because the growing season is not long enough to establish a lawn from Zoysia seed. The key reasons zoysia is so attractive for homeowners 2. During the summer, the zoysia out competes the bluegrass. Zoysia plugs are perfect for areas with high traffic. GETTING QUICKER STANDS OF ZOYSIA Water as often as needed which might be two or three times daily to keep the surface constantly moist (not soaking) for the first 20-30 days until you see a fair amount of the little seedlings have sprouted. Overwatering and underwatering is dangerous at this stage, but once the roots have taken hold, your grass will only need extra watering during droughts or particular dry, cold weather. Empire is a good fast spreading, medium textured zoysia with deep green color and good cold tolerance. Its consistent and bold color from spring to fall make it an attractive option for homes with full sun and large yards. A hand shovel can also be used to plant, but for large areas, a long-handled tool is recommended for less strain on the gardenerâs back. If started by plugs or sprigs planted 6 inches apart, it will take up to two years to fill in. Zoysia plugs take up to two years to fill in depending on climate and lawn care. Keep the area moist post fertilizer for four to six weeks, but take care not to overwater and drown the young roots. According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, installing zoysia plugs is a painstaking process with very slow results. How does Zoysia spread? Well, planting plugs is a lot of work, period but so is laying sod. The plant goes brown and dormant in the winter and turns a bright, vibrant dark green in the spring. Nat Howard is a writer, editor, journalist, and jack-of-all-trades, covering topics from home improvement and design to healthcare and career advice. Special garden tools can make digging easier. Also ask what kind of coverage you might expect this season. When to Plant Zoysia Plugs. This could be a concrete pavement or paver, metal edging or border, weeding or the occasional herbicide. Overall, you are really in control when it comes to how fast your Zoysia lawn will spread together. Zoysia plugs are slow to grow when first planted. The dense plant is great for those who hate weeding, and given a few seasons, your young zoysia plugs will neatly offer a uniform look for your lawn. Privacy Statement | Guarantee | Site Map | ZoysiaFarms.com | © Zoysia Farm Nurseries, Zoysia Farm Nurseries | 3617 Old Taneytown Road | Taneytown, MD 21787 | Phone: 410-756-2311, Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association. The downsides of using plugs are also substantial. The plugs have attached themselves to the soil. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Planting Zoysia grass plugs is often the most effective way to get Zoysia turf established. If there are areas where you do not want zoysia grass, a barricade must be put in place to prevent it from spreading. Salty soil "My home is on the shore of Long Island Sound and we frequently have storms and the water splashes against our wall and sloshes up over it on our lawn, which is zoysia grass. Soil Conditions 3. The warmer the temperatures you have and the longer the growing season, the faster you will notice the Zoysia spread. Plugs are small, living squares of grass turf that are âpluggedâ into lawns, yards or fields. For example, if you are planting a 1â plug about a foot apart, it can take about 2-3 growing seasons for the Zoysia to fill-in. During the cooler periods, the bluegrass out competes the zoysia (spring and fall). Once established, zoysiagrass may become âthatchyâ (puffy due to an accumulation of decomposing plant residue at the soil surface). Zoysia is tolerant to shade and does not need as much water, nutrition or feeding as other young grasses. To achieve faster results, plant the plugs ⦠If the zoysia plugs dried out I believe they would die. However, without proper care, your expensive lawn may take longer to establish itself or may die off before it has a chance to form a solid rooting system. Zoysia grass spreads through underground rhizomatous runners. For best results plant plugs 12" apart -- or closer -- for quicker coverage. Once plugs are planted on a 1-foot center, it can take between 3 to 5 years from them to spread and cover a surface area. You can use as many as 4 plugs per square foot or as few as 1 plug per square foot. If you want a Zoysia lawn, call around to your local nurseries and see if they have "Empire" zoysia plugs. In fact, it may grow a little too well. How Long Does Grass Take to Grow After Being Dormant? Youâve got the rhizomes that grow under the ground and the stolons that grow across the ground. very low-maintenance. established, can have endless benefits. The best time when to plant zoysia plugs is in the late spring after ⦠The closer the plugs are planted the quicker the area will fill in. The thing thatâs different about Zoysia is that it spreads at a much slower rate than the rest of the grasses. Your zoysia plugs will generally be around 1 to 3 inches wide and 2 to 3 inches deep. Controlling Zoysia Grass. This is considerably longer compared to many other plant species but gardeners may still prefer Zoysia grass because it is more resilient and grows denser once it has properly spread. With its quick-spreading growth habit, zoysia grass can oftentimes invade and choke out neighboring yards and gardens. Safety 5. If youâre using plugs or sod, be sure to time your project so you can lay the sod the same day itâs delivered, to make sure it is as fresh and healthy as possible. It would have to be very moist for a long time. See more info at http://www.zoysiaplug.com Originating in Japan and making its way to the U.S. in the 1800s, zoysia is a popular choice for homeowners who want to invest in their lawn. Because Zoysia is a warm season grass, your desired result will be best achieved when the plugs are exposed to as much light as possible. Quick guide on how to plant zoysia plugs. On another note, Zoysia seeds tend to fill-in faster than the plugs. If the weather changes before your plant is established, it may not survive a frost. Zoysia plugs (Zoysia spp. Your plant isnât dead but simply sleeping for the winter and will return when soil temperatures reach around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring. Plugs are often cut directly from Zoysia sod. Zoysia plugs are fairly drought resistant and, once established, grow in leaps and bounds. Therefore, it may be necessary to contain zoysia or even remove the grass to keep it under control. âPlugging in" your plugs in an existing lawn is the inexpensive way to have a zoysia yard, but it will take several years for this to occur. The third year it leaps." Zoysia spreads like a lot of the other grasses, especially the Bermuda grasses. ), also known as zoysiagrass or simply zoysia grass, are a perennial grass that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11. Once plugs are planted on a 1-foot center, it can take between 3 to 5 years from them to spread and cover a surface area. It may look funny to have a patch of long grass for a few weeks, but for best results, let your recovering patch of grass grow out to about 2.5 inches long before mowing it. I have watered them moderately each day but the plugs have turned brown. Gardening Know How: Zoysia Grass Plugs: Directions For Planting Zoysia Plugs, Lowe's Home Improvement: Plant and Care for Zoysia Grass. The closer you plant and the bigger the plug, the faster you will notice the Zoysia fill-in. Some other factors would include how far apart you are planting the plugs and how big the plugs are that you are planting. Zoysia grass can be grown from seed, sod, or plugs. 7. I planted Palasades Zoysia plugs a week ago. Plugs; Which one you choose depends on your area and how soon you want the grass to carpet your lawn. Dig the hole for your plug at least an inch deeper and wider than the plug itself. After planting zoysia plugs, keep watering them daily for a week or two until they are established. This will eliminate competition. However, you must remove your existing lawn completely including all grasses and weeds in order for the Zoysia seeds to germinate. After this, and before the soil dries out, the next step is to lay the sod! No matter how well fed and cared for your zoysia plugs may be, the plantâs natural growth cycle will dictate how fast it grows. The second year it creeps. Q. Zoysia Plugs. Although it takes a while for Zoysia to fill-in, there is When planting plugs, you can expect to wait two years for your lawn to completely fill in. Zoysia can also be planted in bare soil without preparation if the soil is rich enough to help the plant grow. Plant at least 60 days before the weather turns cold to give your zoysia plugs time to grow. Even though you canât change your weather and growing season, there are still other planting methods that can help you speed up the slow-growth process of your Zoysia lawn. Planting Zoysia grass plugs is time-consuming, back-breaking, hard work that will consume days with the hauling and proper storage of plugs, days with the painstaking plug planting, and then the 3 or more year wait for the plugs to fill in. Since itâs a hardy plant with very low nitrogen needs, once it is established, your lawn only needs to be fertilized two to three times per year. Planting the plugs in cold weather won't allow them to spread as they should. Donât be disappointed if your Zoysia grass takes a long time to spread and fill in, whether youâre planting from seed or via Zoysia plugs. Planting from seed you may be looking at three years. Young plants will need a little TLC at this stage to form the roots needed. Once the rapid growth/spreading starts- however- the amount of time it will take for the bare spots on your lawn to be completely filled in may vary, depending on the plug spacing you choose. Without at least 6 hours of sunlight, your zoysia will not thrive or provide a good lawn cover. The closer you plant and the bigger the plug, the faster you will notice the Zoysia fill-in. In another instance, a 1â plug planted 6â apart can reduce the timing to 1 ⦠It depends on a few factors, including location, date of planting and the general health and care of the grass. Lawn Care Academy: Straight From the Orient - The Amazing Zoysia Grass. Plugs must be planted after the hole is dug. You can also cut the plugs larger in size, this can help the area to fill in sooner. It is an invasive and aggressive plant that uses runner vines (called stolons) above ground to spread roots and root stalks (called rhizomes, or creeping rootstalk stems) below the surface of the soil to flourish upward. The zoysia is competing with the bluegrass. The following steps guide you through the process of growing Zoysia grass in your lawn. Because Zoysia grass seed can take a long time to germinate and establish itself, a cost-effective alternative to laying sod is to order and plant Zoysia grass ⦠using water-soluble, Zoysia-safe products. Of course, the more plugs you put in the ground the quicker it will be to fill in. 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. Zoysia plugs are living plants, therefore, we recommend planting them as soon as possible. 1. If you are planting a lawn by seed it can take a long time. If you have a short growing season, the Zoysia will still take off, but it may take a little longer to fill-in completely. After all the zoysia grass plugs are planted, water the grass thoroughly. The other major concern is that the temperatures must be consistently above 70 degrees for the seeds to germinate. Therefore, if you are using a bigger plug, you will notice even faster results. Break up your yard into sections when planting to ensure all areas are evenly covered. Should I apply a 13-13-13 fertilizer? Those living in colder zones may have to wait a few seasons to truly see their zoysia expand. 8. Plugs will need to be planted deep enough in soft, fertilized soil. Grass plugs do vary in size, but the size of the Zoysia grass plug will typically be around two square inches and about two inches deep. Its stiff turf blades can stand up to frequent golfers, football or baseball players and foot traffic, making it a leading choice for lawns with lots of activity from pets, children or ball practice. 9. While the lawn fills in, you have to keep the weeds out between the spaces, which can be a lot of work. Plug In Zoysia Plugs Zoysia grass plugs must be planted in spring or early summer to have enough time to grow before the first frost of fall hits. Zoysia is a slow grower so sod or plugs are most commonly used. Sod Solutions: What Are Stolons and Rhizomes? In the early spring, avoid using weed killer containing the chemical 2,4-D (Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) near or on your plugs, as this will interrupt their growth from dormancy and harm the plant. This most frequently occurs when it is mowed too infrequently or is excessively fertilized. The first factor that can determine how long your Zoysia lawn will take is based on where you live and how long your growing season is. The good news is that Zoysia is also When determining how long it takes zoysia plugs to grow, keep this gardening phrase in mind: âThe first year it sleeps. To ensure your zoysiagrass plugs grow, the plant must have the right conditions when planted and ample growing time to establish roots before the season turns. Slow growth means that you wonât see immediate spreading, but as long as your zoysia plugs do not turn brown before the seasonâs end and are given plenty of care during the planting stage, they are steadily taking root. Purchase Zoysia plugs from a reputable farm that ships plugs guaranteed to grow or replaced free (link to Zoysia Farms). You can notice germination within the first 10-14 days after planting, and they usually fill-in within the first year. This is largely due to the fact that this grass is so hardy that you are only required to plant plugs with no need to seed the lawn. If you plant the zoyzia plugs in winter, early spring weeds can take over before the zoysia has a chance to spread. Smaller lawns are fine with 6 inches apart. (Or the plugs, if thatâs the method youâve chosen, or spread the seed if youâre using zoysia seed.) Keep in mind, these comparisons are all using a 1â plug. Plugs may be also be planted 18" apart from edge to edge although the 12" method is recommended. According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, installing zoysia plugs is a painstaking process with very slow results. Utilize a selective herbicide like Revolver, Monument, or Katana to kill the bluegrass. is not necessary either, but can be beneficial to the Zoysia as long as you are The process of installing Zoysia grass plugs involves removing, from the ground, a core of soil the same size as the Zoysia plug. The Zoysia grass plug is ⦠Zoysia plugs and zoysia hybrids are notoriously slow growers but will do well in areas with a longer and warmer growing season. Zoysia is typically planted with plugs rather than seeds. Before planting, prepare your lawn by watering it two days in advance so that the ground is soft and moist. With proper care, you can help the plant establish itself in the first season for a stronger returning second season. You might talk to the sod farmer again and ask about timing for that process. How are plugs shipped? Disease Control for Zeon Zoysia. The closer you space plugs, the faster your lawn will fill in. While they are still taking over, you want to keep your lawn mowed to 1 ½â to 2â so grasses surrounding the plugs do not overshadow your plugs. Douse the area after planting so that the plugs do not dry out in the transition. Fertilizing Planting zoysia plugs around 6 inches apart in distance will require waiting at least two years before the plant grows and fills in the space. Zoysia is healthy with 1 to 3 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of space. Slopes and Borders 4. The zoysia grass will have no problem at all crowding out any other grasses you may have already growing in your yard. Mist the plugs with water and keep them moist until planting. How Does Zoysia Spread. Winter Dormancy 6. If the plugs cannot be planted upon receipt, remove them from the cartons, placing blade side up in an area that receives some sunlight (not direct sun). Normally, it takes about 7-14 days for newly installed St. Augustine grass plugs to begin spreading, following firm root establishment in the soil. Zoysia is a slow-growing grass however, once Some seeds will not even germinate the first year. The beauty of plugs is the ability to plant within your current lawn and have it transition to a Zoysia lawn. Plant Grass Plugs in the recommended pattern shown in the picture below with plugs placed 12" apart from edge to edge or 15" apart from center to center. Spread some seed. Will the plugs produce new leaves/stems of grass? Measure your lawn or the area you want to plant the grass. About Zoysia Grass Plugs. Planting a zoysia grass lawn is one of the easiest things you can do. A long-handled grass and bulb planter/plugger or a drill bulb or grass plug auger can create uniform holes with the right depth for planting. Feed your zoysia plugs with a healthy dose of plant fertilizer at this stage. To ⦠Keep in mind that zoysia turns brown once temperatures drop to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Since Zoysia grass is a slow grower, many people prefer to go with sod or plugs to have fast results. What do Zoysia Plugs look like? nc, that might actually work. Given time and care, your zoysia plugs will grow into a rich and full lawn that you and your family will enjoy for years to come. How long does it take zoysia plugs to grow? It really flourishes in warmer zones 6 through 9 and is often found on golf courses and sports fields and in lush parks. Growing zoysia grass from plugs is the least desirable method because they take the longest to fill in. How long will the plugs last before planting? Zoysia Grass Plugs Spreading Rate. Keep in mind that Amazoy zoysia grass only spreads from the edges so you may not want to make the plugs any larger than 3×3 inches and a ⦠First, the plants can take a long time to fill in, sometimes more than a year (planting very densely can save you some time) so you have to wait a while before you have a full lawn. For example, if you are planting a 1â plug about a foot apart, it can take about 2-3 growing seasons for the Zoysia to fill-in. no need to water after the Zoysia has been planted for three weeks. Thereafter, reduce watering frequency enough to keep good moisture within one inch of the surface. In another instance, a 1â plug planted 6â apart can reduce the timing to 1 ½ to 2 growing seasons. Your zone and location will affect your zoysia growth. Water your plugs thoroughly and daily for up to two weeks after planting. Can Zoysia Plugs Be Transplanted in Cold Months? This one-two punch is slow but steady and will choke out any existing grass species or foliage. Amazoy zoysia plugs will grow in rock-like or granite soil, but you will need to mix in a layer of top soil before planting. Be sure to plant your zoysia plugs in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Pests can become a problem, especially if Zoysia is not growing healthily (too much fertility or water, etc.). A common complaint is that zoysia is how slow it is to establish and spread. After zoysia plugs are planted throughout the entire lawn, how long does it take zoysia plugs to grow? Establishment from plugs is very slow (typically two to four years). Lastly, if you plant a 1â plug about 4â apart, you should notice the plugs filling in within 1 to 1 ½ growing seasons. What About Zoysia Seed? Place compost or fertilizer in the plug hole to help the roots take hold. Effective way to get zoysia turf established or feeding as other young grasses nurseries and see if have. 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