Empire Zoysia Greening up

tman100z – posted 22 April 2008 17:48

This is my first winter with Empire zoysia (sodded last summer) so i was wondering when i should expect a good green up. My back yard is pretty much evenly getting green with a slight brown here and there. Bu the front yard is a different story. There is still more brown in large spots about a third of the yard. I know its still kinda early but was wondering when should i start to worry. How can you tell if the grass is dead not dormant in those areas?? Im just worried since the backyard is greening up so much better

Oh yeah im in Virginia Beach

Thanks

mrmumbels – posted 23 April 2008 09:24

got any pics?

Alex_in_FL – posted 24 April 2008 06:20

Greenup rates for mid Georgia:60-65% by 1 April+90% by end of April.

You are further north so greenup will be slower for you. You might put out some iron to help turn your grass green. And now would be good time to put out a pre-emergent too then when the yard becomes green add a low nitrogen fertilizer.

jbbaab44 – posted 06 August 2008 09:58

I live in Jacksonville, FL. Last may i installed empire zoysia. I must say that i am unimpressed. It was great that summer, after using water upon so much water. it took water at least every other day under the hot sun under to keep it from withering. All the stats and comparison charts say this stuff is great for heat, for disease, for drought, for wear, but i must admit, it is great looking when it is healthy but for some reason after the winter it didn’t grow back. I decided not to water it this year, to see what happens, and it is brown. . . i mean completely brown. and we’ve had a record rain this year in jacksonville. It’s a great grass when it looks good and is grown in. you don’t have to mow as often but probably to get it to that point, you have to put much time into it.

Another thing i would have done differently is not cut it as short as they told me to. I forget what they say to cut to, but i do not agree with that. I think what happens is the sun beats down on the roots too much and is exposed if you cut it too short. anyways that’s my 2 cents.

tman100z – posted 08 August 2008 06:41

I agree with you on not cutting it short. I have been cutting with the mower on the highest settings and it looks great. Like you i had a lot of brown spots that did not come back, but come to find out i had a chinch bug infestation. Its been about a month or so since i treated and the areas are starting to green up and spread. I also put some plugs in the real bare areas. As far as watering is concerned, I notice during dry spells the grass will brown and the leaves will roll up and thin, but this is normal from what ive read here. After a good rain or watering the come the next day. If your are still brown after all that rain, more that likely its dead

benjammin – posted 15 August 2008 10:37

I put down empire zoysia about two months ago. I hope my first winter and next spring are better here in southeast NC.