Need help with fixing sections of my Empire Turf Zoysia lawn.

vthok – posted 26 April 2010 07:28

I posted this in the Problem solving forum but wanted to ensure this reaches the right audience.

2 summers ago I had Empire Turf Zoysia sod laid down completly over my propery (less then 0.2 acres). This year the front yard and most of the backyard is greening up nicely. However I do have some trouble spots which I need help on. First, near my 2 gates of my fence I seem to have very little grass growing.http://stickeredvan.com/clients/lawn/DSC05294.jpg

http://stickeredvan.com/clients/lawn/DSC05296.jpg

How can I fix this problem near the gates? What is causing it? Overwatering? I have noticed water tends to collect near these areas.

Also near my AC units I notice this:

http://stickeredvan.com/clients/lawn/DSC05298.jpg

Again is this because of shade (side of my house) or overwatering from the AC units?

Lastly I have noticed this near my concrete patio:

http://stickeredvan.com/clients/lawn/DSC05295.jpg

I have 2 small dogs and this is around the area they usually urinate on. Could this cause this thinning grass and orange hue in this region?

So overall how can I address these problems? Sod plugs, fertilizers, no more urination, etc?

Thanks for any help you guys can bring.

ken4255 – posted 26 April 2010 07:38

Could be a combination of things:

1. Fence is shading the area, not getting enough sun.2. Foot traffic wearing down the zoysia.3. Zoysia doesn’t like being waterlogged — looks like the area isn’t draining well.

vthok – posted 26 April 2010 08:59

Not much foot traffic so that shouldn’t be it and I belive the spot gets enough sun. I am pretty sure its related to excessive water build up when I water the lawn in these areas. How can I improve drainage in these areas near the gates and in front of AC units?

I dont want to spend money/effort re-sodding or plugging these spots just to have the problem repeat itself in the next year or 2.

ken4255 – posted 28 April 2010 07:52

I don’t have any brilliant answers. I have problems with my zoysia in areas that get too much shade. Seems to me, if there was enough sun, then the damp areas would dry out. Maybe water less in these areas. Maybe dig some sort of drain.

When I had a fence installed, I chose a split rail fence so that the the fence wouldn’t shade the grass. But, I don’t know which way the sun is shining.

ken4255 – posted 28 April 2010 08:05

Another thing I have tried — where my Meyer zoysia is thinning due to too much shade or other issues — I have plugged with Jamur, which looks like Meyer but is supposed to be faster spreading and more shade tolerant. I wish I had sodded with Jamur or El Toro from the beginning. With your Emerald, you might try to plug some Zeon, which I have read is even more shade tolerant than Emerald. I don’t have any personal experience with the zoysia matrella cultivars though.

ken4255 – posted 30 April 2010 08:52

Ah, you said Empire, not Emerald.