Best type of Zoysia for Atlanta

TMarriott – posted 09 March 2004 15:09

I am putting sod in my back yard. It has been suggested to me to install zoysia instead of bermuda. What is the best type of zoysia for my region and what are it’s advantages over the other zoysias and bermuda? Thanks.

tommy – posted 09 March 2004 23:02

Check your local sod farm(s)…….whatever they are growing- is what will be adapted to your area. Bermuda and Zoysia are similar…both- tough, drought tolerant, and off color in the winter. Zoysia is slower growing, and popular because it needs less mowing. Bermuda is quicker to establish, and repairs itself faster if heavily damaged. The quicker establishment of bermuda- means that its cheaper for the sod farms to reproduce….so therefore its much less expensive compared to Zoysia.

dm – posted 10 March 2004 06:24

Was zoysia suggested for your backyard because of shade? If you don’t have several hours of full sunshine bermuda will not work for you. Without adequate sunshine, the bermuda will eventually thin out and decline. Zoysia can tolerate shade much better than bermuda, but as Tommy said the sod is more expensive by about 50%.

In Atlanta, I’ve seen Meyer and Emerald used. One of those culitvars is more shade-tolerant (can’t remember which one), so if that is your situation make sure your supplier is aware of that.

TMarriott – posted 10 March 2004 08:51

One of the sides of the house is shaded but the otherside. The back gets full afternoon sun. One thing I’ve heard is that zoysia is more weed resistant than bermuda.