Putting tarps on the yard

johnboy – posted 08 May 2003 15:10

Would it help if I put some tarps on my yard. We have had nothing but rain for the past week and according to the weather channel we are going to have rain for the next two weeks. I was wondering if I put down some tarp on top of my zoysia if that would help it come out of dormant. Zoysia doesn’t like water so I figure if I put some tarps of top of it from the rain it would help. I left a pile of leaves in my yard for a month and the grass underneath turned green. So what do yall think?

certified-in-florida – posted 30 May 2003 21:30

I would be a very careful. Tarps can restrict airflow and you may end up with no grass. I would say a bit more research is in order. Tarps may actually do more damage than the water.

As far as the greening, I would suggest letting nature take it’s course.

Good luck,

Scott

johnboy – posted 31 May 2003 17:52

It’s still not green. I cut out a piece 2 foot by 2 foot and had it tested for diseases and fungus. The Dr. said that he found nothing, but said that he thinks that it’s still in dormant. As of March 1 we have had only 15 days of 80 degrees or better. He thinks that once it stays 80 that it will come out of dormant. The past week here in Western Kentucky it has been getting in the hight 40’s to low 50’s. It now the beginning of June and still not all green. Do you think that once it gets hotter that it will come up? I called the sod farm and he said that he is having the same problem. He is coming maybe next week. Can I make him replace it or give my money back?

Will-PCB – posted 31 May 2003 18:51

johnboy,

If your grass is dormant, then it is dormant. And if it is dormant, how could the sod farmer be held responsible for the weather keep your grass (and his) dormant?

johnboy – posted 31 May 2003 19:31

What I’m saying is that I don’t believe it’s dormant. How come the golf courses zoysia is green. Yes, the grass at the course is zoysia. It’s June and Zoysia is suppose to come out before Bermuda.

certified-in-florida – posted 31 May 2003 21:48

I would say that, based on my prior experiences with Zoysia, it is still dormant due to the cold weather and I would agree that once you see consistent good temps you will be fine. I know in Illinois, zoysia is always the last to green up.

I would say by testing you did the right thing. When your temps vary that much, and 40-50 degrees for highs, it is simply dormant. That is what I meant by saying let nature take it’s course. I can’t explain why the golf course is already green if it is zoysia. Maybe another variety of zoysia?

Please keep in mind that I am saying this without seeing your turf and basing my statements on prior my experience.

Good luck,

Scott