Is a reel mower necessary for zoysia?

TMarriott – posted 10 May 2004 16:10

I just had my back sodded with zoysia a month ago. It isn’t time to mow yet but I have read that reel mowers are optimal for this type of grass. What are the dissadvanteges for using my standard sears model?

ted – posted 10 May 2004 19:15

purity of cut. your rotary mower can’t touch the quality of the cut on a reel mower.

cboothe – posted 11 May 2004 17:41

I switched to a reel mower when I resodded with zoysia. IMO it’s not any harder than pushing a rotary, plus you get a better cut and it’s a lot easier on the ears. One trick I learned that makes a huge difference is to spray a shot of WD-40 on the blades right before I mow. It makes the mower much easier to push.

cohiba – posted 12 May 2004 13:48

cbooth, How often do you mow? And at what height are you mowing? Do you find it gives a better qualityof cut?Congrats on buying and using a reel mower. There really isn’t enough of us out there.

Thanks…..and Take Care.

cboothe – posted 12 May 2004 22:28

I keep my zoysia at about 2″. I just started having to mow every 6 or so days. Growth rate has really picked up in the last couple weeks. I never used the rotary on the zoysia, but I can’t imagine it giving the nice even, clean cut I get with the reel mower.