The 1/10-inch-wide leaf blades, which are stiffer than Bermuda grass blades, have short hairs and emerge at right angles to the . Cons: High maintenance required with mowing every 4 days to avoid scalping into the crown area. They cut similar to scissors and when the blades are sharp, produce the finest cut available. . The number of leaves or shoots per area of the ground is a measure of turf density. This natural weed barrier means youll spend less time and money preventing and getting rid of weeds. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones), Why is My Phlox Not Flowering? Zorro Zoysia: Best Feature: Considered the "Cadillac"of warm season grasses as it provides that sought after, manicured, golf . Maintenance: While both kinds of grass are relatively low-maintenance, zoysia needs less routine care. Otherwise, it is the best species for anyone who wants an almost completely barefoot lawn, with excellent ground cover and low water requirements. Recuperates fairly well and much better than other Zoysias. Weeds should be dug up by the root with garden equipment such as a dandelion digger or a sickle blade. In North Carolina, it is well suited for the mountains and can be grown in combination with tall fescue in the piedmont. In the midst of Spring, Peak Sodding will typically focus on the two grass types below: Zoysia. Typically, bermudagrass requires the most frequent mowing of the Southern turfgrasses during summer to prevent scalping. Wide grass blade When you plant Bermuda grass in the late spring, you can expect it to last until October or November. Innovation Zoysia has also been bred to be resistant to bluegrass billbugs. Bermuda mites are another common Bermuda grass pest, and they can be quite destructive if left untreated. Bermuda grass is quite softer and it's easy to mow the grass. In addition, mowing disposes of leaves and other unwanted materials from your lawn. Zeon is known for its deep green color similar to Fescue and offers a dense, fine texture. Zones 8b and up are best. Why is it so popular, though, and is it right for your lawn? Just the Facts, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide. Zoysia grass is heat and, The perfect option for transitional climates, Theres a section in the United States that grass experts call the transition area. Bermuda (Celebration): Not very traffic tolerant, St. Augustine (Raleigh): When winter dormancy sets in, it turns brown, although it stays green considerably longer thanBermuda grass. It does best in the coastal regions and Piedmont but can also thrive in the Western areas provided that it gets enough sun. Summary: Zoysia exhibits comparable pest and disease resistance to other warm-season grasses when appropriately maintained. When stressed by drought, weed control is poor and turf damage may occur. Leaf blade width for Zorro narrow or thin Shade Tolerance: Bermuda needs a ton of sunlight, whereas zoysia is more tolerant of some . Turfgrasses vary in their shade tolerance. Dark Green, can achieve that fine, manicured appearance, Cons: High maintenance required with mowing every 4 days to avoid scalping into the crown area. If you live somewhere where it gets so cold the soil freezes, you may want to consider another type of grass. We included all you should pay attention to when taking care of this type of lawn. Tall fescue does best in heavier clay soils. It is also drought resistant. Sugar Cane vs. Bamboo: Which is Right for Your Garden? You can start Bermuda grass from seed, unlike other warm-weather grasses. Each turfgrass has some major pest problem which could limit its use in certain locations. Most southern lawn grasses such as St. Augustinegrass, bahiagrass, centipedegrass, fescue, bluegrass and ryegrass are coarser in leaf texture. Soil Conditions. When she's not writing about home remodeling, gardening, or pets she is busy being a mother and wife, reading endless amounts of books, and tending to her garden and backyard ducks. Summary: Choosing the Best Option Based on MaintenanceWhen we compare Zoysia grass vs Bermuda zoysia grass, zoysia grass is a good option for those who want less maintenance. Given North Carolinas soil conditions and temperatures, Centipede, Carpet grass, and Bermuda are popular choices for NC lawns. Insect and disease resistance is also improved in hybrid types. It is the canvas on which the rest of the plantings are placed. You can spot Bermuda grass by its distinct green and gray color and dense formation that makes it durable. Choosing between sod and grasses is not only aesthetic but also often about function and climate. Chinch bugs and billbugs are insects that enjoy eating zoysia grasses; however, chinch bugs are far more usually seen in St. Augustine grass. For the optimum quality of cut, reel mowers are preferred. Recycling lawn clippings also reduces the amount of fertilizer needed. Chinch bugs are easy to spot by their dark and white or dark and red markings on their backs. Zoysia vs Bermuda grass: Which Option is Right for You? Its wide grass blades mean it has excellent density and will crowd out many weeds. Centipedegrass. If you plan on seeding, you will need to remove the old grass. In addition, horned beetles- a pest native to the United States feed on the foliage ofBermuda grasswhen they hatch in the summertime. link to How To Keep Snakes Away From Your House. For starters, its deep root system provides resistance from heat, drought, and insects. For every 1,000 square feet of Zoysia grass, you will need up to 4 pounds of nitrogen each season. Meyer zoysia spreads to create a dense lawn that provides good traffic and cold tolerance. Table 1 provides information to assist in the selection process. Major insect pests are chinch bugs, mole crickets, ground pearls, webworms, armyworms, grubs, spittlebugs and billbugs. Iron chlorosis is a problem if they are grown in high pH (alkaline, >7.0) soils. When cooler autumn temperatures arrive, it stays greener further into the season. Stolons are flat, smooth, and generally curved, with roots at nodes. Start your search . Quality turf requires irrigation, so water quantity and quality are a selection factor. This fine-textured, green leaf beauty uses 38% less water than similar grass cultivars and still looks great. It actively grows from late spring through the hot summer months. Robert F. Polomski, PhD, Associate Extension Specialist, Clemson UniversityDebbie Shaughnessy, Former HGIC Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityTrent C. Hale, PhD, Former Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Clemson University, Gary Forrester, Horticulture Extension Agent, Horry County Extension Service, Clemson University. However, its fast-growing feature makes it ideal if youre looking to cover a large area quickly. Seeding and Overseeding Thin Lawns. Shade from trees or a building is a common occurrence in most landscapes. You might have a hard time keeping this grass from taking over your gravel driveway or creeping into your garden bed. Sod Installation Cary Theyre a very popular plant to include in gardens or bordering walkways. Or maybe the home entrance faces west and needs a few nice foundation plants or an accent flower bed for curb appeal. Sod Installation Apex Lets look at the key point round-up below: Empire Zoysia is one of the most popular varieties of the past few years. Soil types in which most turfgrasses are grown in the southern United States, include sand, clay, marl or muck-type soils. However, if you live somewhere like Florida, California, or Texas, Bermuda will thrive better than Zoysia due to the constant sunlight. It also keeps your lawn neat so people can easily walk in your yard without tripping over twigs or leaves. Centipedegrass lawn is a low maintenance turfgrass with a light apple-green color.Bert McCarty, 2015, Clemson University. Is St. Augustine grass better than Zoysia? Its low maintenance and ability to grow in transition states make it ideal for many lawns. Mowing provides nutrients to the plant cells since part of it is chopped off each time it grows back. Its blades tend to be shorter and lighter in color than Zoysias, and it is slightly coarser in texture, making it ideal for parks and public gardens. It is often confused with Bermuda grass, as they have much in common. It is up to the turfgrass manager to find a best mowing height within the recommended height range. However, even though Zoysia CAN grow in shade, it is much more susceptible to diseases. Does not spread laterally like the other turf grasses Most traffic tolerant of all Zoysiagrass is a warm-season grass type that has been used in the Americas for 125 years. You only need to water Zoysia with 1 of water, and oftentimes is enough for healthy growth. If you have a mulching reel mower, you can cut the grass a few inches below the ground, then use a broom to get the clippings up into a pile.After that, apply compost and fertilizer to the new grass and water it thoroughly. Can achieve that fine, manicured look especially with Zorro Bermuda grass, on the other hand, may be blended with a variety of grasses. Always a true dark green, even though theyre different shades. Weed often and early. However, Zoysia is slightly easier because of how well it can handle cold weather without dying right away. Centipede - Centipede grass is popular in coastal areas because it adapts to salt and sand better than others. Cons: High maintenance as are all Bermudagrases requiring more frequent mowing, weed eating garden edges and driveways etc. This makes it easier for backyard growers to add this to their yard without the costly expense of sod. Tall fescue. Bahiagrass and tall fescue have lower stand density while other warm-season grasses have a medium density. Luckily, just about any granular insecticide in concert with a light layer of water is enough to remove chinch bugs. In the US, this plant is cultivated for lawn decoration and is also used for a lawn on golf courses. Growth can take up to 14 weeks if you plant the Bermuda grass too early in the spring, or at the beginning of summer. Recommended: Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Bermudagrass; Zoysia is a warm native grass that is actually native to China, Japan, and other regions in various parts of Southeast Asia. Stays above the problem with thick, heavy surface stolens Zoysia grass is a dense and wear-resistant type of turf that adapts to most parts of North Carolina. and it's cold tolerance is important for the colder winter seasons we may have here in South-East, North Carolina. Call Today 910-443-0596 In the Piedmont regions, it does well in slightly shady sites and sites with shade from afternoon sun, or if the yard slopes towards the north or northeast. Bermuda grass reaches thick and dense growth around the 10-week mark if you plant it in the late spring before summer comes. Zoysia is considered low maintenance because it doesnt need much fertilizer to grow to be strong. The best time to plant Bermudagrass is late spring and early summer, after soil warms and spring frost danger has passed. Two common tropical types of grass are Bermuda and Zoysia, but whats the difference between them, and which is better? Pensacola Bahia Grass vs Argentine Grass: Comparison. Plus, it is medium to light green in color. Bermuda grass mites, billbugs, and grub worms are common pests of Bermuda grass. Connect With Us. Peak Sodding Customer Reviews. Plus, youll also find some other varieties of grass you may want to consider if you cant meet Zoysias requirements. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. Alternatively, you can choose among the grass types we included above. Zoysia is quite stiffer compared to Bermuda grass, and as a result it's more difficult to mow. Zoysia is used as a lawn grass both in warm regions of the United States, such as the southern states, and the so-called . The densely grown plant holds up well under heavy use, so you dont have bald or muddy spots. What you need to know. Mealybugs cause leaf blight by injecting bacteria into plant leaves, which eventually kills off the leaves. If you want to learn more about what to do with Zoysia Grass North Carolina, keep reading our essential guide. Zoysia has excellent traffic tolerance and is used for a variety of applications, including golf bluish green, tennis courts . If this document didnt answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988. It does best in the coastal regions and Piedmont but can also thrive in the Western areas provided that it gets enough sun. It is a slow-growing grass that produces dense and weed-free turf without little effort. Failure to control the nematodes makes disease management harder at best and ineffective at worst. Azaleas are a shrub with beautiful flowers that range from purple to white. Although bermudagrass can survive drought, it really isn't a good idea to withhold water. There are a lot of benefits to growing the zoysia grass variety in your yard, but there are a few other things to consider before taking the leap. Bahiagrass tolerates high humidity common in the hot Southeast, as well. Zoysia has a clumping habit so it can be difficult to maintain. . Bermuda Grass is the most popular type of lawn in North Carolina. Bermuda vs. Zorro Zoysia. Tall fescue could be the ideal option if you are looking for a low-maintenance type of grass. The most significant difference between Zoysia grass and Bermuda is their weather tolerance. Depending on how quickly youre looking to establish a lawn, the amount of time you can dedicate to maintaining it, and the level of tolerance to specific elements are all factors to consider. It requires more maintenance than Bermuda shorts, but the color and rough texture are hard to match. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The cost ofzoysia grassmaintenance is directly proportional to the care and maintenance have given to the turf. During the summer, if kept healthy and in the shade, zoysia will crowd out weeds and other grasses. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Its only weakness is shade. However, a denser turfgrass, such as zoysiagrass, should be mowed at 2 inches if using a rotary mower. Afternoon sun is challenging. This dormant time occurs because Bermuda grass is tropical and simply cannot live and thrive through frost and cold winter. Zoysia will be fine in cool, shady locations, butBermuda grassis a warm-season grass that requires heat and plenty of sunlight in order to thrive. Although fescue does tiller, it does not produce runners; therefore, periodic re-seeding in fall may be necessary to help thicken the lawn. Bermudagrass. What you need to know, Your guide to planting and caring for St. Augustine grass, If your yard gets a lot of afternoon sun, these are the plants for you, How to choose and grow afternoon sun plants that will thrive, When should you fertilize your azaleas? 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