ONGOING MAINTENANCE FOR EMPIRE ZOYSIA SOD

Zoysia is a tough, hardy turf grass for full sun or moderate shade that once established, produces a beautiful lifetime lawn or landscape.

Mowing: Mowing is a critical to a healthy lawn:

  • Maintain EMPIRE at 1-2″(1″ is optimal) with rotary mowers.
  • Mow every 7-10 days during the active growing season.
  • During cooler weather mow every 10-14 days, or as needed.
  • Never cut more than 1/3 of the total length of the blade at any one mowing.
  • Clippings can provide valuable nutrients back into the grass. Bagging of clippings is not usually necessary if mowing schedule is maintained.

Insecticides: Apply insecticide as needed to reduce stress on your lawn:

  • Always read and follow label directions carefully for any insecticide applications.
  • Walk your yard regularly and be aware of seasonal pests like billbugs, armyworms, webworm and grubs.
  • Early identification and treatment of insect problems minimizes the application amount and damage to your grass.
  • Control armyworms and webworms with Sevin®, Orthene®, Diazinon® or Permethrin-based products.
  • Control billbugs with Sevin® (adults), Talstar® (adults), DeltaGuard® (adults), Merit® (larval/grub form), Mach2® (larval/grub form).
  • If you are unsure of label instructions consult with the retailer where you purchased your insecticide.

Herbicides: Reduce your weeds through proper mowing, irrigation and fertilization of EMPIRE Zoysia. If a weed problem persists:

  • Always read and follow label directions carefully for any herbicide application.
  • Improper use of herbicides can severely damage or kill EMPIRE.
  • Walk your yard regularly and be aware of seasonal weeds.
  • Early identification and treatment of weed problems minimizes the application amount and damage to your grass.
  • EMPIRE is tolerant of most commonly used herbicides but always read the label.
  • If you are unsure of label instructions consult with the retailer where you purchased your herbicide.

Fungicides: EMPIRE Zoysia grass has shown resistance to most fungal problems. Fungicides should be used only as needed:

  • Always read and follow label directions carefully for any fungicide application.
  • Walk your yard regularly and be aware of unusual symptoms of disease.
  • Early identification and treatment of disease minimizes the application amount and damage to your grass.
  • If predictable seasonal problems are expected, consider a broad-spectrum fungicide application.
  • If you are unsure of label instructions consult with the retailer where you purchased your fungicide.

Irrigation: Established EMPIRE exhibits very good drought tolerance however, like all turf grass, requires regular irrigation for long term health and beauty

  • Watering requirements are greatly dependent on soil type, season, geography and other factors.
  • Ensure irrigation systems are working properly and covering all areas sodded with EMPIRE.
  • Walk your yard regularly and be aware of signs of wilting that would show irrigation is needed.
  • Shaded areas and heavy soils require less water than full-sun areas and sandy soils.
  • Encourage deep root growth by watering until the soil is moist to a depth of 3”, shallow watering will result in a shallow root system.
  • Infrequent deep watering maximizes drought resistance and tolerance.
  • Visit our Tips on Watering Your Lawn video.

Fertilizing: Properly fertilizing your lawn will encourage health and reduce disease and insect in your EMPIRE yard:

  • Test your soil to understand your soil needs and fertilizing requirements.
  • EMPIRE generally requires three fertilizer applications per year: spring, summer and fall.
  • Walk your yard regularly and take notice when the yard requires fertilizing.
  • Take care to apply the correct amount and type of fertilizer.
  • Reduce nitrogen rates to avoid disease and insect inducing growth flushes.
  • Use iron sources to improve color and limit growth surges.
  • Higher Nitrogen rates should only be applied in the spring or for injury recovery of EMPIRE.
  • Apply balanced fertilizers with lower rates of Nitrogen in the summer and fall.

Visit our Tips on Watering Your Lawn video.