Empire Zoysia in VA

lc818 – posted 19 August 2012 02:34

I put down Empire Zoysia in May 2012. What type of fertilizer to put down? How to take care during fall, winter, spring, and summer?

ezf – posted 20 August 2012 01:10

Usually I only fertilize it during the summer, and only use organic fertilizers such as soybean meal, Milorganite etc. This summer I have not watered it even once under the record-breaking heat. Now I am convinced that as long as I maintain it around 3 inches, it needs no more attention.

[This message has been edited by ezf (edited 20 August 2012).]

lc818 – posted 20 August 2012 07:21

What ratio do you buy for fertilizing? What kind of mower do you use and what level? I read online that a reel mower is good for zoysia grass what do you think? I use an electric mower and cut at the level of 3 or 4 and it is hard to push. Any recommendations on mowers?

quote:Originally posted by ezf:Usually I only fertilize it during the summer, and only use organic fertilizers such as soybean meal, Milorganite etc. This summer I have not watered it even once under the record-breaking heat. Now I am convinced that as long as I maintain it around 3 inches, it needs no more attention.

[This message has been edited by ezf (edited 20 August 2012).]

ezf – posted 20 August 2012 11:34

Near Atlanta, I buy soybean meal for about $17 per 50 lb bag from a feed store, which contains about 4 lb Nitrogen. I apply about 1 lb Nitrogen per 1000sf of zoysia each summer. If you have a small lawn, say < 3000sf, the Fiskars reel mower is very good which can be set up to 4 inches mowing height. Mine is bigger and the Fiskars becomes too much a workout. I use a Honda push mower with twin mulch blades (6hp?, from Home depot), always mulch mow my lawn. It works pretty well for me at 2 3/4 and 3 1/4 inches even for the thickest patch of zoysia.

[This message has been edited by ezf (edited 20 August 2012).]

lc818 – posted 23 August 2012 16:51

Is it better to mulch or bag the grass?

quote:Originally posted by ezf:Near Atlanta, I buy soybean meal for about $17 per 50 lb bag from a feed store, which contains about 4 lb Nitrogen. I apply about 1 lb Nitrogen per 1000sf of zoysia each summer. If you have a small lawn, say < 3000sf, the Fiskars reel mower is very good which can be set up to 4 inches mowing height. Mine is bigger and the Fiskars becomes too much a workout. I use a Honda push mower with twin mulch blades (6hp?, from Home depot), always mulch mow my lawn. It works pretty well for me at 2 3/4 and 3 1/4 inches even for the thickest patch of zoysia.

[This message has been edited by ezf (edited 20 August 2012).]

ezf – posted 23 August 2012 23:00

quote:Originally posted by lc818:Is it better to mulch or bag the grass?

Zoysia doesn’t need much fertilizer thus is perfect for organic or minimalist lawn care. Mulching the grass is definitely good for organic lawn maintenance.

jod788 – posted 28 August 2012 07:47

Milorganite and soybean meal is really good. My lawn looks amazing just using those two items as fertilizer. I don’t even really concern myself with specific rates. You won’t burn the lawn. I typically apply two bags of Milorganite on my 5,000 sq ft lawn. That’s probably double the rate on the bag, but it works wonderfully for me. Growth isn’t too fast and grass stays a nice deep green. I’ll alternate the Milorganite with soybean meal every 6 weeks or so from May-Sept. On the SBM, I’ll usually just apply one 50 lb bag.

aleicgrant – posted 28 August 2012 09:24

how often do you fertilize? once in spring and once in fall?

jod788 – posted 28 August 2012 12:49

I’m in TX, so for me I’ll dump the Milorganite (2 bags for 5,000 sq feet) on around Mid-May. Then I’ll alternate with soybean meal every 4-5 weeks until sometime in Sept. It takes some patience. This isn’t like chemical fertilizer where you can throw it on and 36 hours later the grass is all juiced up. Be consistent with it though and I guarantee you’ll see very good results. Your lawn and soil will be far superior than it would be using chemcial fertilizers.

aleicgrant – posted 28 August 2012 13:59

so your last treatment is say maybe Oct 1 and then not again until May?

jod788 – posted 28 August 2012 16:28

probably more like Sept. 15th. I don’t do anything from then until May. The grass goes dormant in mid-late Oct.

[This message has been edited by jod788 (edited 28 August 2012).]

aleicgrant – posted 28 August 2012 16:33

great I appreciate the help. Our warm weather in FL last year I think my grass never really went fully dormant

lc818 – posted 28 August 2012 18:46

I live in Chesapeake, VA. We just got the Empire Zoysia sod (about 2500 square foot) put down in May 2012 and I put down fertilizer (CarpetMaker Turf fertilizer 16-4-8) 2 weeks ago. I also bought Milorganite organic nitrogen 5-2-0 but didn’t put any of this fertilizer.

Originally posted by aleicgrant:how often do you fertilize? once in spring and once in fall?

jod788 – posted 29 August 2012 09:04

Milorganite, soybean meal, etc is just way better for the grass. I honestly have no idea why people use chemical fertilizers on their lawn. The “regular” fertilizers give the grass a quick fix and a green up, but provides nothing else. The organic stuff provides slower green up results, but you’re actually improving your soil by using it. Long term results are far superior. Just be patient. You have to apply organic stuff at heavier rates and apply it more often, but that’s part of the fun anyway.

[This message has been edited by jod788 (edited 29 August 2012).]

lc818 – posted 29 August 2012 20:45

Should I got back and fertilize with the Milorganite?

quote:Originally posted by jod788:Milorganite, soybean meal, etc is just way better for the grass. I honestly have no idea why people use chemical fertilizers on their lawn. The “regular” fertilizers give the grass a quick fix and a green up, but provides nothing else. The organic stuff provides slower green up results, but you’re actually improving your soil by using it. Long term results are far superior. Just be patient. You have to apply organic stuff at heavier rates and apply it more often, but that’s part of the fun anyway.

[This message has been edited by jod788 (edited 29 August 2012).]

jod788 – posted 30 August 2012 08:11

quote:Originally posted by lc818:Should I got back and fertilize with the Milorganite?

Yeah, go for it. Milorganite is pretty much fool proof. You aren’t going to hurt anything by applying it too often or too much – within reason.

aleicgrant – posted 30 August 2012 09:01

ordered a few bags from HD. Now I have to go pick out a spreader. Any suggestions? lawn is 5200sf so I think two bags should do it

jod788 – posted 30 August 2012 09:38

I dont know much about spreaders really. I bought a Scotts Accugreen years ago that I still use. It’s a drop spreader. Has a dial setting from 1-18 I think. With Milorganite, setting it to about 15 is close to dropping 2 bags on 5000 sq feet.

jod788 – posted 30 August 2012 09:42

by the way, corn gluten meal is pretty awesome too. I put a 50 lb bag out once. It’s just pretty expensive, like $40 for a 50 lb bag. I would recommend it though. maybe its cheaper where you are.

lc818 – posted 30 August 2012 11:55

What is HD??

quote:Originally posted by aleicgrant:ordered a few bags from HD. Now I have to go pick out a spreader. Any suggestions? lawn is 5200sf so I think two bags should do it

jod788 – posted 30 August 2012 12:34

Home Depot I assume. My Lowe’s always has Milorganite in stock.

lc818 – posted 30 August 2012 21:08

Thank you everyone. All this information is very helpful. I should of prepared myself before putting the Empire Zoysia sod down.