How to get rid of Zoisia?

[jeffclc]

I talked with a customer that has a very nice bluegrass/ryegrass lawn that is being overtaken by zoisia grass in patches. He has a few patches, 4'x4' that are very noticable, and some others that are only visible upon close inspection. The problem is that we don't know where all the tiny patches of zosia are.<p>He would like to completely rid the lawn of the zoisia grass. What is the best way to do this? I was thinking along the lines of roundup over the whole infected area, then re-seed. He also thinks that we should perhaps physcally remove the larger patches of zoisia by digging them out with a shovel, and filling the depressions with some topsoil. <p>So, what would be the best way to completely rid the lawn of the zoisia? Do we need to go in with a sod cutter, and start from scratch, or can we kill off all the existing turf, and overseed? <p>BTW I believe that the zoisia came from a neighboring lawn, down over a slight hill.

[lawrence stone]

Roundup and slit seeded is the way to go.<p>But to kill that Zoisia a warm season species<br>you have to wait until it's activily growing <br>which will be sometime in June.

[GroundKprs]

Jeff, is your lawn in full sun, or is it partial sun or shady? Is it immediately adjacent to the zoyzia lawn?<p>----------<br>Jim<br>North central Indiana<br>

[Charles]

Its zoysia I think :)

[GroundKprs]

Let me sleep Charles :) ZZZZZZZzzzzzz(s)<p>----------<br>Jim<br>North central Indiana<p><p>

[thelawnguy]

Around here its disparagingly known as Korean Crabgrass...<p>Bill

[steveair]

I am not a grass expert, but I replaced a patch of zoysia once and ended up tilling the whole spot up (was only like 5 by 5), then put some top and reseeded. I raked out all of the dead material first though.<p>It came in nice, but I did it in the spring before it started to grow again. <p>As for roundup only, Im not sure. That stuff has such a mat like root system. I'm not sure if roundup will even completely kill it. <p>If I was to do it again, I would probably use round up, then till the area after it died, then rake out as much dead material as possible, and then top and reseed. <p>I kind of think of it like packysandra. You can spray the hell out of it, but it seems to come back. I would want to get as much of the root system out as possible to minimize any regrowth.<p>

[gene gls]

Zoysia is next to impossiable to get rid of. The roots go very deep and they are hard like wire. You can replace the top 6-8&quot; of soil and in a few years it will be back.

[fireball]

being from the North like Larry you have to wait to the grass is actively growing before you do anything. I would wait to late July and then start. Use straight Roundup Pro at 2oz per gallon with Tracker Dye(to see what you sprayed)Spray the entire lawn in two directions, wait two weeks do the same thing, wait two more weeks, spot spray any remaing volenteers and slit seed, aerate heavy. Word of caution! Because of the exstensive root system you might kill some of the adjancent property owners grass even though you didn't go into their yards

[lawrence stone]

Fireball are you located in Luzerne county?

[fireball]

nope, delaware county. Historical Marcus Hook. Where William Penn first landed and the Warlocks told him it was their turf

[Guillermo Cancio]

Just moved into our first home. The yard is about 7k sf covered with a combination of St. Agustine, Zoysia, and weeds galore.

How can we get rid of the St. Agustine, weeds, and return the lawn to its 1980's full Zoysia appearance?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You
Guillermo Cancio
Miami, Florida

[patterson]

I bought a house with zoysia about ten years ago. My approach to the front yard was Roundup at about 2X rate and I think I sprayed it at least two or three times to be really sure I killed all that crap. I took up the remaining material with a hand sod cutter. The roots on zoysia are very tough and woody and I wanted to make certain I had good seed/soil contact. Plus it was satisfying to burn all that crap grass in the brush pile. I think I did that about seven or eight years back and I have had no re-infestation of the zoysia, so that method worked well.

As for the back yard, my three dogs beat the hell out of the stuff when it was dormant and the remainder was destroyed by grubs. (I know, I never thought grubs would eat that junk either, and isn't it ironic that the lawn guy's lawn gets whacked by grubs while he's not paying attention.) At any rate, the dog abuse/grub damage method took a little longer but has proven equally effective. It's probably a pretty tough sell to your customer though, so just spray the hell out of it. DEATH TO ZOYSIA WHEREVER IT MAY BE!!!!

[mdlwn1]

Well said....You must spray at least 2x. Once as early as the season will allow, and again as late as the season will allow. Thinkin July and August.

[Guillermo Cancio]

I appreciate your time and wisdom. However, I do like the Zoysia. I have driven by some houses nearby that do have Zoysia well kept and as Bruce Almighty would say; its B-E-A- utiful.

Some like the Zoysia and I happen to be one of them. Unfortunately, I think to get my yard to look like when it was first layed down, I will have to kill the entire sod, remove it, level the ground to get rid of many uneven areas, re-soil, and re-sod it completely.

Cost for this will be an arm and a leg according to Sunset Sod, the professionals who have been doing this for many years and are very reputable here in Miami.

Unfortunately, I just may have to opt for St. Augustine sod. Thank you for your insight.

Regards,
Guillermo

[patterson]

Zoysia down by you guys is a great grass. My problem with it up here in the north is that it's dormant for about six months of the year and even when it's growing, it really doesn't spread out the way it should.

Seems to me that with your warm weather, it would be easy enough to throw in some plugs and let it grow in rather than do the entire sod deal. Depends on how much patience you have I guess.