Using Emerald Zoysia in shady parts of Bermuda Lawn

markryan – posted 13 September 2006 13:03

Everyone in our neighborhood including me has Bermuda for the front lawn. Everyone, including me, also has bald spots under trees and near bushes and house. I want to try using some Emerald Zoysia sod to fill in these areas but not re-sod the entire lawn. Will this work? Will theBermuda and Zoysia blend in together? Will one type dominate and take over the other type? Will the difference in appearance be dramtic enough to make the lawn look bad? (Can’t look much worse than bald) Help! Mark

TexanOne – posted 16 September 2006 00:53

It’s hard to say if that would be a good match or not – depends on what variety of Bermuda you have. If you have a fine-textured Bermuda, such as a Tif variant, they may look good together.

If you have Common Bermuda, I would tend to think a fine-texture Fescue would look more compatible.

It’s also hard to say which one may dominate. The Emerald will grow in sun or moderate shade and I would tend to think the Emerald might be the dominant one, but I surely cannot say for certain.

If I were in your shoes, I would recommend you take a plug sample of your grass to a sod nursery and visually compare the plug sample to different Zoysia and Fescues to find the best match. If you select a Fescue, remember it does not spread and you’ll need to sod the bare area completely to begin with unless you broadcast Fescue seed over the bare area. Hope this helps…

TexanOne – posted 16 September 2006 00:59

It’s hard to say if that would be a good match or not – depends on what variety of Bermuda you have. If you have a fine-textured Bermuda, such as a Tif variant, they may look good together.

If you have Common Bermuda, I would tend to think a fine-texture Fescue would look more compatible.

It’s also hard to say which one may dominate. The Emerald will grow in sun or moderate shade and I would tend to think the Emerald might be the dominant one, but I surely cannot say for certain.

If I were in your shoes, I would recommend you take a plug sample of your grass to a sod nursery and visually compare the plug sample to different Zoysia and Fescues to find the best match. If you select a Fescue, remember it does not spread and you’ll need to sod the bare area completely to begin with unless you broadcast Fescue seed over the bare area.

Also be aware the Fescue will probably remain green during the winter while the Bermuda goes dormant. That may be a very compelling reason to select a Zoysia instead of a Fescue. Hope this helps…

TexanOne – posted 16 September 2006 00:59

It’s hard to say if that would be a good match or not – depends on what variety of Bermuda you have. If you have a fine-textured Bermuda, such as a Tif variant, they may look good together.

If you have Common Bermuda, I would tend to think a fine-texture Fescue would look more compatible.

It’s also hard to say which one may dominate. The Emerald will grow in sun or moderate shade and I would tend to think the Emerald might be the dominant one, but I surely cannot say for certain.

If I were in your shoes, I would recommend you take a plug sample of your grass to a sod nursery and visually compare the plug sample to different Zoysia and Fescues to find the best match. If you select a Fescue, remember it does not spread and you’ll need to sod the bare area completely to begin with unless you broadcast Fescue seed over the bare area.

Also be aware the Fescue will probably remain green during the winter while the Bermuda goes dormant. That may be a very compelling reason to select a Zoysia instead of a Fescue. Hope this helps…

TexanOne – posted 16 September 2006 01:02

Sorry for the triple post. I sure goofed that one up…

Asian Cajun – posted 16 September 2006 07:55

I have empire zoysia and there are areas in my yard that has a blend of burmuda and zoysia also. The burmuda is alot greener and spread faster than the zoysia. My opinion is just go with the burmuda, its look alot better with only one type of grass. Can I ask how long you been having your burmuda, it might need some time to get the roots establish in shaded area. Hope this helps, good luck and may da force be with thee.