Zoysia in Orlando?

raninFL – posted 27 May 2008 12:39

I live in the Orlando area. My backyard is about 4000 sq feet. I am trying to decide to plug, seed or sod my yard with zoysia. Sod isn’t likely because of the price. I am just not sure how to handle it. I have two dogs that have destroyed the back yard so it is basically dead. I want my kids to have a nice backyard to play in. I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas on how to handle this. I really like empire zoysia, I had at my previous house, but it isn’t available in seed. The only seed I have found via internet is zenith. How will this do in Florida or is there a better variety to use.Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

tommy – posted 27 May 2008 23:24

Sod would be the best way to go for dogs…..so you may have to settle for something other than Zoysia. Tif 419 bermuda would be a good alternative. If the cost of Tif sod is still too high for you, consider having the area hydro sprigged. This is the quickest way to establish warm season grasses- short of sodding. You may even find someone who would hydro sprig Zoysia. Contact local sod farms to find out if this service is available. Hydro sprigging is done by mixing living pieces of the grass,(stolons, sprigs) into a paper mulch solution, and sprayed out of a high pressure gun, mounted on a tanker type truck.