which one?.. empire? emerald? or meyer?

New in Pensacola, FL – posted 11 March 2009 22:00

I have almost an acre of very weedy St Augustine I’m thinking of replacing with zoysia sod, and would like to hear from people who have had one of these 3 zoysia’s in their yard. This is zone 8b, and though winters are relatively ‘mild’, it still gets to the high 20’s for a week or more at night in wintertimes, and yet easily high 90s and low 100’s and SUPERBLY humid during the rest of the year. My yard is mostly sunny, with a lot of tall pines (that I hate!) and some old oaks making for some shade from 12:00 noon onward.

These are the 3 zoysia’s I’ve found that are being sold by the locals within 100 miles of here, and mostly Alabama folks that seem to know about zoysia’s…. for some reason, it seems not too many Floridians are familiar with it…everyone here has St Augustine, but I don’t like it’s texture and it’s real weed infested anyway.All comments welcome!!

Dixie – posted 12 March 2009 06:40

I am from NC. This May I am going to sod my entire front and back yard with Jamur Zoysia. I have been investigating the different cultivars for a while now. Originally was going with Empire but read of too many problems. Have heard nothing but good about Jamur. It was developed at Texas A & M and would be good for your area as well. It is very cold tolerant, likes full sun and is moderate in shade. Good drought resistance and pest resistant. It is a medium leaf blade grass. Can mow to about 2 inches with a sharp blade standard rotary mower. Most of the thin blade zoysia look best when mowed lower with a reel mower. Zeon is probably the best thin blade Zoysia. It does well in shade also. These are just some of my observations. Hope it helps. Good Luck.

Alex_in_FL – posted 21 March 2009 09:22

Look at Ultra Zoysia developed by University of Florida.

BTWI installed some homemade Empire plugs in my back yard. So far I am very pleased with it. I like it better than the Empress I put in my other back yard.

Alex_in_FL – posted 21 March 2009 09:37

I just did a google search using the terms “Zoysia Empire problems”. I didn’t see anything that scared me away from Empire.

I am beginning to question all these “stories” about Empire not doing well. My real life experience has been very positive so far.

mrmumbels – posted 22 April 2009 16:17

here’s my empire lawn 2 summers ago. it’s does good but is tricky. still trying to figure it out.http://www.coffeebrandy.com/pics/house/sodding/Image000415.jpg

[This message has been edited by mrmumbels (edited 22 April 2009).]

saltcedar – posted 01 May 2009 10:01

It’s not that Empire is terrible it’s just that there are better adapted grasses available. I’ve already seen two post by folks wondering why their Empire hasn’t resprouted yet. My El Toro is already vigorously growing (12 to 18″ runners). My Empire is still mostly dormant.

[This message has been edited by saltcedar (edited 01 May 2009).]

mrmumbels – posted 02 May 2009 11:08

saltcedar, where are you?

saltcedar – posted 03 May 2009 09:50

Austin, Tx