turfgrass

Emerald Zoysia

Emerald Zoysia

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BruceL – posted 19 May 2006 13:58

Moved into new home on 1 acre lot 3 years ago (Georgetown, Texas). Initially laid 6 pallets of Emerald Zoysia around house in the sun and shade. Second year laid another 6 pallets in full sun (last year). The emerald is doing well around the house in the partial sun, but is turning brown in the full sun. Tried to keep it going last summer with water. It worked, but my water bill was higher than my mortgage! Any thoughts about this “Drought Tolerant” grass. It is not an option to replace it at this time. Also, Any thoughts about keeping the wild Bermuda and “crab” grass out of the Zoysia. Currently use a commercial lawn fertilizer company. They suggest I apply thin layer of dirt in certain areas of lawn.

KBilly – posted 06 June 2006 13:23

We have emerald in full sun for 8-9 hours and day and it does fine, but we are organic. I water it once per week for 20 minutes (1 inch of water) and I mow it every 10 days and it’s greeen as heck right now.

I suggest you dump the chemical fertilizer, which contains nitrogen salts and can slowly kill the soil critters, which keeps the soil healthy and thus the lawn healthy. If you don;t believe me, get a goldfish and a bowl and add a 1/2 tespoon of salt to the bowl per week. See how long the fish lives. Same thing with multiple applications of chemical fertilizers. You may also be burning the grass with it.

Get some dried molasses and lay down 20 lbs per 1000 sq feet and water it in. Follow up with an organic fertilizer like Texas T.

BruceL – posted 07 June 2006 08:08

Hey KBILLYThanks for your reply. I’ll try the organic method in a troublesome area and let you know how it turns out. Where might I find the molasses and Texas T? At this time we are spot watering and doing the full watering cycle once per week. It’s forecasted to be at or near 100 degrees every day this week. My wife keeps talking about a summer house in the mountains!Actually doesn’t sound too bad.

KBilly – posted 07 June 2006 10:02

Dried molasses can be found at some feed and grain stores. Most garden shops with organic supplies will have it too — perhaps in Austin near you? There are other organic ferts. like Sustain that are just as good as Texas T.

If you can get corn gluten *meal* at the feed store, that is a great fert. alternative. Again, 20lbs per 1000 sq ft and water it it. Do it on a calm day as the yellow powder can blow everywhere and wear old shoes. And yes, it will stink after it gets wet, but it’s an awesome organic amendment.

I’m afraid you will have to make a few calls around your area.

[This message has been edited by KBilly (edited 07 June 2006).]

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