Zoysia grass
 

We live near Arnold Palmer Legends. Like most folks over here we have that Zoysia grass. 85%+ of grass is beautiful. 15% is ugly, sparse and bare. Fortunately its in the rear.

For six years I have dealt with Massey lawn service and two independent landscapers. We have readjusted sprinklers twice, adjusted timer several times, applied an assortment of fertilizers, put in zoysia plugs and other stuff to make something grow. Its still bare.

Any suggestions? Been thinking about new sod but don't want to chase $$$$ if something is wrong with the soil. Complained to Massey...again. They're coming Monday to take soil samples. I would dump Massey if 85% of lawn didn't look like the outfield in Yankee stadium.

Any recommended zoysia specialist who installs sod?

cabo did you plant the zoysia? In our neighborhood, I live on Palmers we all have St Augustine. Two of my neighbors tore out their St and replace it with empire zoysia and so far it looks very lush. thinking about doing it also. sounds as if that spare section of yours is not getting enough water (i.e. the sprinkler is missing) I also had problems with my St looked until I had Massey do soil samples and then they added nutrients and my lawn looks good;al beit I don't like walking on it

Good luck

Here are a couple sites that have a lot of info on Zoysia grass.
http://www.empireturf.com
http://circlecfarmsinc.com/interacti...olving_1.shtml

I have been told that those dead spots are a result of not enough water early last summer and the grass was stressed, will take some time for it to recover. Also nematodes can also make the grass look dead like the brown out spots.
If there is a low growing pink weed in the dead area, nematodes can be the cause. I was told to put down milorganite http://www.milorganite.com to supplement the soil to contain the nematodes.

Common Pests Of Zoysia Grass
Nematodes, mole and crickets are most problematic in the south along with grubs and billbugs in the rest of the growing areas. Pre-fumigating soils known to contain nematodes is the best option for controlling this pest with the addition of organic matter because nematodes grow best in sandier drier soils. Grubs and billbugs (moles and crickets in the lower South) are soil borne insects with can cause serious damage. Consult your extension agent for control recommendations. Early spring treatment for billbugs should be done when the first adults are seen. Contact garden centers with trained staff or county agents for insect diagnosis and control recommendations suggested. Be sure and read the label of any product you use.


Trying to grow grass in a sand box is a never ending challenge!

For what it is worth, a search of this site has several threads discussing Zoysia grass.

I had the same issue. Changed my lawn service to Zoysia Green. They have done a great job. Our lawn is in very good shape now. ( I fired Massey years ago, the salesman was a pain)

When we moved down to Florida from Virginia I accepted the truth that I knew nothing about these grasses and plants, so I bug the Extension service every time I have a problem and it has been very rewarding. I suggest you do the same. The University of Florida, IFAS Extension service at 466 and Morse Blvd. can be reached at 352-689-4668, talk to Jim Davis if possible. I also had a few spots that I couldn't figure out, but it turned out to be areas where the soil was overly compacted and thus shed water to the more sandy areas. Aeration was the solution, but I don't know if that is your problem. Good luck.

Thanks for all the help and info. It is sincerely appreciated. We have had the zoysia since we moved in 6 years ago. A Massey supervisor just responded. He acknowledged a problem and said that next week Massey will be back with plugs of zoysia for the whole area affected. I'll let you know if it works. Bogie, I think your close enough to check.

lawn issues
 

I just lost 1000 sq. feet of my lawn to mole crickets. Same lawn symttom. Bates came over and injected the ground and sprayed the lawn 100s of the suckers came out and died. New sod was put down today. Here's a hint make up a pot of very hot soapy water pour it on the brown spot and see if these grass hopper ugly looking things come to the surface. If so have your lawn company spray for mole crickets. 6 homes in my area were affected by them. Good luck

Mole Crickets
 

I hv a small 3 inch sandy area. It does not look like an ant hill. Is this the type of "brown spot" you are refering to? Are there specific times of the year to treat this type of grass for different issues? Does homedepot/lowes sell these products?
Thanks

Have a look at the sites I posted above #3.

Zoysia and Problems
 

The biggest problem I have with zoysia etc, is that Bermuda grass takes over. They grow in long shoots and takeover Zoysia. Bermuda is hard to kill without killing zoysia too. I have Baits Company, and they cannot kill the Bermuda. I found this chemical called "Ornamec" on internet and I ordered some. It kills Bermuda without harming zoysia. I did my first spray about a month and half ago. Will do another in spring to catch it before it spreads.

Please keep us posted on your results.