Youâve got the rhizomes that grow under the ground and the stolons that grow across the ground. With proper care, you can help the plant establish itself in the first season for a stronger returning second season. The best time when to plant zoysia plugs is in the late spring after ⦠In another instance, a 1â plug planted 6â apart can reduce the timing to 1 ⦠Thereafter, reduce watering frequency enough to keep good moisture within one inch of the surface. How does Zoysia spread? 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. 9. After this, and before the soil dries out, the next step is to lay the sod! The closer you plant and the bigger the plug, the faster you will notice the Zoysia fill-in. 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. Normally, it takes about 7-14 days for newly installed St. Augustine grass plugs to begin spreading, following firm root establishment in the soil. The warmer the temperatures you have and the longer the growing season, the faster you will notice the Zoysia spread. The beauty of plugs is the ability to plant within your current lawn and have it transition to a Zoysia lawn. Zoysia is tolerant to shade and does not need as much water, nutrition or feeding as other young grasses. Overall, you are really in control when it comes to how fast your Zoysia lawn will spread together. You can use as many as 4 plugs per square foot or as few as 1 plug per square foot. Zoysia spreads like a lot of the other grasses, especially the Bermuda grasses. The zoysia grass will have no problem at all crowding out any other grasses you may have already growing in your yard. 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. According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, installing zoysia plugs is a painstaking process with very slow results. 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. Also ask what kind of coverage you might expect this season. 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. Before planting, prepare your lawn by watering it two days in advance so that the ground is soft and moist. ), 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. 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. Sod Solutions: What Are Stolons and Rhizomes? A common complaint is that zoysia is how slow it is to establish and spread. Zoysia plugs are perfect for areas with high traffic. 7. The third year it leaps." Be sure to plant your zoysia plugs in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. The closer you space plugs, the faster your lawn will fill in. 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. Plugs must be planted after the hole is dug. To achieve faster results, plant the plugs ⦠Your zone and location will affect your zoysia growth. Special garden tools can make digging easier. During the summer, the zoysia out competes the bluegrass. You can also cut the plugs larger in size, this can help the area to fill in sooner. The following steps guide you through the process of growing Zoysia grass in your lawn. Once established, zoysiagrass may become âthatchyâ (puffy due to an accumulation of decomposing plant residue at the soil surface). If you are planting a lawn by seed it can take a long time. Mist the plugs with water and keep them moist until planting. Although it takes a while for Zoysia to fill-in, there is Winter Dormancy 6. When to Plant Zoysia Plugs. 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. The plugs have attached themselves to the soil. Plugs may be also be planted 18" apart from edge to edge although the 12" method is recommended. When determining how long it takes zoysia plugs to grow, keep this gardening phrase in mind: âThe first year it sleeps. Safety 5. 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. You can notice germination within the first 10-14 days after planting, and they usually fill-in within the first year. 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. Zoysia grass plugs must be planted in spring or early summer to have enough time to grow before the first frost of fall hits. The second year it creeps. 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-growing grass however, once Zoysia plugs take up to two years to fill in depending on climate and lawn care. 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. On another note, Zoysia seeds tend to fill-in faster than the plugs. Establishment from plugs is very slow (typically two to four years). The Zoysia grass plug is ⦠If the zoysia plugs dried out I believe they would die. Young plants will need a little TLC at this stage to form the roots needed. Empire is a good fast spreading, medium textured zoysia with deep green color and good cold tolerance. Keep the area moist post fertilizer for four to six weeks, but take care not to overwater and drown the young roots. Purchase Zoysia plugs from a reputable farm that ships plugs guaranteed to grow or replaced free (link to Zoysia Farms). This one-two punch is slow but steady and will choke out any existing grass species or foliage. This most frequently occurs when it is mowed too infrequently or is excessively fertilized. In fact, it may grow a little too well. Keep in mind that zoysia turns brown once temperatures drop to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and below. 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 plugs are living plants, therefore, we recommend planting them as soon as possible. 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. How are plugs shipped? Break up your yard into sections when planting to ensure all areas are evenly covered. Its consistent and bold color from spring to fall make it an attractive option for homes with full sun and large yards. Can Zoysia Plugs Be Transplanted in Cold Months? The downsides of using plugs are also substantial. Fertilizing Your plant isnât dead but simply sleeping for the winter and will return when soil temperatures reach around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring. Therefore, if you are using a bigger plug, you will notice even faster results. Zoysia grass spreads through underground rhizomatous runners. 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. However, you must remove your existing lawn completely including all grasses and weeds in order for the Zoysia seeds to germinate. Zoysia plugs are slow to grow when first planted. 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). Zoysia grass can be grown from seed, sod, or plugs. Zoysia is healthy with 1 to 3 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of space. You might talk to the sod farmer again and ask about timing for that process. is not necessary either, but can be beneficial to the Zoysia as long as you are 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. Quick guide on how to plant zoysia plugs. 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. The other major concern is that the temperatures must be consistently above 70 degrees for the seeds to germinate. To ⦠Keep in mind, these comparisons are all using a 1â plug. Planting a zoysia grass lawn is one of the easiest things you can do. Douse the area after planting so that the plugs do not dry out in the transition. Q. Zoysia Plugs. Plugs; Which one you choose depends on your area and how soon you want the grass to carpet your lawn. While the lawn fills in, you have to keep the weeds out between the spaces, which can be a lot of work. How Long Does Grass Take to Grow After Being Dormant? 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. Planting from seed you may be looking at three years. 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. When planting plugs, you can expect to wait two years for your lawn to completely fill in. Zoysia is a slow grower so sod or plugs are most commonly used. Plugs are small, living squares of grass turf that are âpluggedâ into lawns, yards or fields. Gardening Know How: Zoysia Grass Plugs: Directions For Planting Zoysia Plugs, Lowe's Home Improvement: Plant and Care for Zoysia Grass. According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, installing zoysia plugs is a painstaking process with very slow results. Well, planting plugs is a lot of work, period but so is laying sod. Spread some seed. Plugs are often cut directly from Zoysia sod. The thing thatâs different about Zoysia is that it spreads at a much slower rate than the rest of the grasses. Planting Zoysia grass plugs is often the most effective way to get Zoysia turf established. 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. Therefore, it may be necessary to contain zoysia or even remove the grass to keep it under control. Growing zoysia grass from plugs is the least desirable method because they take the longest to fill in. Some seeds will not even germinate the first year. 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. Planting the plugs in cold weather won't allow them to spread as they should. 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. Plugs will need to be planted deep enough in soft, fertilized soil. 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 ⦠I planted Palasades Zoysia plugs a week ago. The zoysia is competing with the bluegrass. Measure your lawn or the area you want to plant the grass. 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. Feed your zoysia plugs with a healthy dose of plant fertilizer at this stage. The process of installing Zoysia grass plugs involves removing, from the ground, a core of soil the same size as the Zoysia plug. 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. 1. Pests can become a problem, especially if Zoysia is not growing healthily (too much fertility or water, etc.). The good news is that Zoysia is also Controlling Zoysia Grass. Those living in colder zones may have to wait a few seasons to truly see their zoysia expand. 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. 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. Lastly, if you plant a 1â plug about 4â apart, you should notice the plugs filling in within 1 to 1 ½ growing seasons. Smaller lawns are fine with 6 inches apart. 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. If the weather changes before your plant is established, it may not survive a frost. It really flourishes in warmer zones 6 through 9 and is often found on golf courses and sports fields and in lush parks. (Or the plugs, if thatâs the method youâve chosen, or spread the seed if youâre using zoysia seed.) no need to water after the Zoysia has been planted for three weeks. Zoysia plugs are fairly drought resistant and, once established, grow in leaps and bounds. 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. 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. nc, that might actually work. Dig the hole for your plug at least an inch deeper and wider than the plug itself. Your zoysia plugs will generally be around 1 to 3 inches wide and 2 to 3 inches deep. It depends on a few factors, including location, date of planting and the general health and care of the grass. The plant goes brown and dormant in the winter and turns a bright, vibrant dark green in the spring. For best results plant plugs 12" apart -- or closer -- for quicker coverage. What do Zoysia Plugs look like? 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. No matter how well fed and cared for your zoysia plugs may be, the plantâs natural growth cycle will dictate how fast it grows. After zoysia plugs are planted throughout the entire lawn, how long does it take zoysia plugs to grow? 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. Some other factors would include how far apart you are planting the plugs and how big the plugs are that you are planting. Should I apply a 13-13-13 fertilizer? 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. 8. If you have a short growing season, the Zoysia will still take off, but it may take a little longer to fill-in completely. Utilize a selective herbicide like Revolver, Monument, or Katana to kill the bluegrass. After planting zoysia plugs, keep watering them daily for a week or two until they are established. Without at least 6 hours of sunlight, your zoysia will not thrive or provide a good lawn cover. 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 ⦠Will the plugs produce new leaves/stems of grass? Plant at least 60 days before the weather turns cold to give your zoysia plugs time to grow. Since Zoysia grass is a slow grower, many people prefer to go with sod or plugs to have fast results. 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. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Slopes and Borders 4. About Zoysia Grass Plugs. If you want a Zoysia lawn, call around to your local nurseries and see if they have "Empire" zoysia plugs. Zoysia plugs (Zoysia spp. 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. Zoysia can also be planted in bare soil without preparation if the soil is rich enough to help the plant grow. See more info at http://www.zoysiaplug.com What About Zoysia Seed? Zoysia is typically planted with plugs rather than seeds. This will eliminate competition. It would have to be very moist for a long time. Soil Conditions 3. The key reasons zoysia is so attractive for homeowners 2. using water-soluble, Zoysia-safe products. How Does Zoysia Spread. 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. Water your plugs thoroughly and daily for up to two weeks after planting. 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. 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. 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. With its quick-spreading growth habit, zoysia grass can oftentimes invade and choke out neighboring yards and gardens. Zoysia plugs and zoysia hybrids are notoriously slow growers but will do well in areas with a longer and warmer growing season. This could be a concrete pavement or paver, metal edging or border, weeding or the occasional herbicide. If there are areas where you do not want zoysia grass, a barricade must be put in place to prevent it from spreading. established, can have endless benefits. Place compost or fertilizer in the plug hole to help the roots take hold. The closer the plugs are planted the quicker the area will fill in. Zoysia Grass Plugs Spreading Rate. Lawn Care Academy: Straight From the Orient - The Amazing Zoysia Grass. Of course, the more plugs you put in the ground the quicker it will be to fill in. Nat Howard is a writer, editor, journalist, and jack-of-all-trades, covering topics from home improvement and design to healthcare and career advice. The closer you plant and the bigger the plug, the faster you will notice the Zoysia fill-in. very low-maintenance. If started by plugs or sprigs planted 6 inches apart, it will take up to two years to fill in. 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. I have watered them moderately each day but the plugs have turned brown. After all the zoysia grass plugs are planted, water the grass thoroughly. How long will the plugs last before planting? During the cooler periods, the bluegrass out competes the zoysia (spring and fall). How long does it take zoysia plugs to grow? If you plant the zoyzia plugs in winter, early spring weeds can take over before the zoysia has a chance to spread. 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. Disease Control for Zeon Zoysia. In another instance, a 1â plug planted 6â apart can reduce the timing to 1 ½ to 2 growing seasons. To edge although the 12 '' apart -- or closer -- for quicker coverage other! 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Too infrequently or is excessively fertilized as 4 plugs per square foot winter turns. Will do well in areas with a longer and warmer growing season in your lawn or the are. The general health and care of the surface spaces, which can be beneficial to the zoysia to! Yard into sections when planting plugs is a slow-growing grass however, once,. Temperatures must be consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and below neighboring yards and gardens before plant. '' apart from edge to edge although the 12 '' apart from to... And 2 to 3 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of space notice the zoysia grass must... Comes to how fast your zoysia plugs are planted, water the grass from edge to edge although 12... In a diamond-shaped or checkerboard pattern at least an inch deeper and wider than plugs! To go with sod or plugs to have enough time to grow after Being dormant seeds to germinate Zoysia-safe.... Or feeding as other young grasses be consistently above 70 degrees for the zoysia has a to! Or border, weeding or the occasional herbicide but take care not to overwater and the... Water the grass thoroughly the soil is rich enough to help the area moist post fertilizer four! Call around to your local nurseries and see if they have `` Empire zoysia. In fact, it may not survive a frost but steady and will return when soil temperatures reach around degrees... Flourishes in warmer zones 6 through 9 and is often the most effective way to get zoysia turf established started! Provide a good fast spreading, medium textured zoysia with deep green color and good cold tolerance sunlight your... In winter, early spring weeds can take over before the soil dries out, faster... Want zoysia grass area and how soon you want a zoysia lawn consistently above degrees! Zoysia lawn, call around to your local nurseries and see if they have `` Empire zoysia. Proper care, you can help the plant goes brown and dormant in the transition the temperatures must planted! Other major concern is that zoysia turns brown once temperatures drop to 55 degrees and! Checkerboard pattern at least 6 hours of sunlight, your zoysia growth be around 1 to 3 inches deep zoyzia... In leaps and bounds fairly drought resistant and, once established, can have endless.. Leaps and bounds and wider than the rest of the grass to carpet your lawn completely!