Pls HELP!. Going from Centipede to Empire Zoysia

coa132435 – posted 20 March 2004 13:36

I currently have Centipede grass in my yard (7500 sq.ft.) and is healthy but I want to change it for Empire Zoysia and I dont want to get rid of my centipede at once (It’s expensive and labor intensive). I am planning to buy Empire Zoysia sods and lay them down as if they were plugs.

1.- Can the Empire Zoysia survive when is surrounded by Healthy Centipede?

2.- Can the Empire Zoysia overtake the Centipede?

3.- Can the Empire Zoysia overtake the centipede in 7 months?.

I am in SouthEast Louisiana. I am happy with my centipede but I am looking to improve the look of my property.

Alex_in_FL – posted 26 March 2004 20:29

I believe zoysia will slowly take over the centipede but I don’t know a lot about Empire zoysia (I have Empress the thin version).

My suggestion would be to put down the zoysia is larger strips (not as a plug) then use some MSMA or similar weed killer to spot spray the zoysia in a few months. The MSMA should weaken the centipede and let the zoysia take over even faster. Also, if you cut the grass lower the zoysia should take over faster.

No guarantees but that is the approach I would take (laugh…because I am using something similiar to that for my St Augustine grass).

Good luck

redbird – posted 31 March 2004 06:37

I have Empire zoysia in hot, humid, SE Georgia – and I am a big fan. But, reading your post, you may not be happy with zoysia after you get it.

I am sorry, but there is virtually nothing less expensive and less labor-intensive (in the south) than centipede. Looking at my neighbor’s lawns, the lawns which are consistently gorgeous w/the least amount of work are ALL centipede. Centipede actually performs at a lower level w/too much fussing.

It’s dark green, it spreads fairly quickly, chokes out weeds, needs to be given LESS fertilization than most other turfgrasses (but will need iron applied through a long, warm, growing season to maintain good color – kind of balances out the fertilizer, I guess), it is more resistant to bugs than most southern turfgrasses, it is drought resistant, recovers immediately from scalping – it’s really hard to beat in areas it is zoned for.

My empire zoysia lawn is only slightly more beautiful than a well-maintained centipede lawn – but I work harder for that minimal difference.

Mike

angelicatratter – posted 06 April 2004 00:17

I am very interested in Zoysia (Empire or Emerald – I understand Emerald may thatch up more as it is the finest and thickest among the Zoysias). What exactly do you mean when saying “you worked hard for the difference” (between Centipede and Zoysia)?

Located in Dallas TX (lower end of transition zone or coldhardiness zone 7b, also referred to zone 2 in turf zone maps) I wouldn’t consider Centipede because of decreased coldhardiness and possibly delayed spring greenup. I have an underground sprinkler system and a regular rotary mower. What else (besides fertilization) is needed for Zoysias? I couldn’t find any specifics on the various websites except for the requirement of “good mowing equipment” (what does this mean?) and comments about Emerald zoysia being “difficult to mow” (again, not sure what exactly this means).

You seem to have experience with Empire zoysia. I would appreciate any comments you might have for me.

Thanks a bunch.

quote:Originally posted by redbird:I have Empire zoysia in hot, humid, SE Georgia – and I am a big fan. But, reading your post, you may not be happy with zoysia after you get it.

I am sorry, but there is virtually nothing less expensive and less labor-intensive (in the south) than centipede. Looking at my neighbor’s lawns, the lawns which are consistently gorgeous w/the least amount of work are ALL centipede. Centipede actually performs at a lower level w/too much fussing.

It’s dark green, it spreads fairly quickly, chokes out weeds, needs to be given LESS fertilization than most other turfgrasses (but will need iron applied through a long, warm, growing season to maintain good color – kind of balances out the fertilizer, I guess), it is more resistant to bugs than most southern turfgrasses, it is drought resistant, recovers immediately from scalping – it’s really hard to beat in areas it is zoned for.

My empire zoysia lawn is only slightly more beautiful than a well-maintained centipede lawn – but I work harder for that minimal difference.

Mike