Zoysiagrass Planting Instructions

Sodding has definite advantages over other methods of establishing a new lawn, i.e. the instant transformation of your lawn to a new tailored look for your continuing use and enjoyment. It can be done anytime throughout the year except when the ground is frozen or covered with snow. When sodding is completed and the grass well rooted your lawn will only need proper care and will last indefinitely.

SOIL TEST. A soil test is always advisable. Your county extension agent can get this done for a small fee. His report will tell you how much lime (for lower pH soils) and the amount and kinds of fertilizer your soil may need, and the frequency of application. If you can't get this done before you sod, get it done after planting, and follow the recommended program on lime and fertilizer. Most soils are low in pH and lime is important to raise low pH soils to an ideal pH of between 6-7. High pH soils use sulphur to lower pH instead of lime. Winrock Zoysia likes most soils, whether sandy, silty or clay based.

GRADING FOR DRAINAGE. Grade the lawn to a smooth surface sloping slightly away from the house. A slope of one foot to 50 linear feet is usually adequate for drainage. Remember to smooth off the surface as much as possible so your lawn will be smooth and will mow without scalping. Steep slopes are difficult to water and mow.

PREPARING THE SOD BED. Plow, disc, till or otherwise loosen the soil about 6 inches deep. Remove rocks, sticks, and clods that are near the surface. The lime (or sulphur if high pH) and fertilizer needed should then be applied and mixed in the loosened soil. If you don't have soil test results, about 2 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet is usually adequate.

FERTILIZER. Use fertilizer called for in your soil test results. If no soil test was made, we suggest 2 pounds of 10-20-10 or 13-13-13 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. Both the lime and fertilizer should be thoroughly mixed into dry soil before sodding or irrigating.

LAYING WINROCK ZOYSIA SOD. Sod normally comes in strips 18 inches by 24 inches, and is easily laid. Lay as close together as possible. Stagger the lateral joints if desired and butt the ends close together. If available, roll with a light roller after laying to firm the pads against the soil.

WATERING - FIRST TWO WEEKS. As soon as the sod is laid, water until water is soaking into the ground beneath. For the next two to three weeks repeat heavy watering every two or three days. Be sure the soil does not dry out during the rooting period.

WATERING - AFTER THE FIRST TWO WEEKS. Apply 1-inch of water every week or 10 days either by natural rainfall or supplemental irrigation. At least an inch of water every week is needed during the hot summer growing season. It is best to apply water in the morning. In winter or when the sod is dormant you do not need to water unless the ground becomes dry from drought. Most problems we see after the Zoysiagrass has become established stem from over-watering or over-fertilizing.

PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE: A healthy mature stand of Zoysiagrass will choke out weeds on its own. However, a first year application of pre-emergent herbicide is a good idea in the early Spring or early Fall. We recommend Ronstar.

Plugs

Where To Plant Your Winrock Zoysia® Plugs Zoysiagrass generally needs at least 1/2 or more daytime sunlight to prosper. You may plant your Winrock Zoysia® plugs any time the ground is not frozen. Of course, planting in the full sunlight is best, but full sunlight conditions are not a necessity. If you are planting in full or partial shade, consider this: Is the shade caused by your house or by other growing plants (i.e. trees)? Other growing plants and their roots systems create competition for the nutrients in your soil - so your problem may not only be shade, but also competing plants and their roots. Here are some solutions:

1. Trim the branches of your trees to let sunlight and air circulation in and around your planting bed for WinrockZoysia® plugs

2. Feed your trees. If you don't, they will prevent your lawn grass from receiving the fertilizer and other nutrients otherwise available to it.

3. Don't over water in the shade. Zoysiagrass likes dry conditions better than overly wet conditions. Overly wet conditions create an environment for fungus diseases ... and shady areas don't dry out very fast.

4. Make sure your planting bed is not a "low spot". Believe it or not, it is just as important for excess water to drain off of the planting bed as it is for the planting bed to be irrigated in the first place.

Winrock Zoysia® Plugs Planting Instructions
1. Planting Bed: For best results, thoroughly till the area to be planted, rake the soil free of any debris and , if necessary, add top soil. You may also want to check the pH of your soil (put some of your soil in a paper bag and take it to your county extension service for testing). A pH range of 6-7 is best but higher and lower pH readings are usually okay for growing zoysiagrass. Tilling and loosening your soil allows the stolons and rhizomes of your new planted Winrock Zoysia® plugs to receive more oxygen and to use less of its energy fighting against soil compaction.

2. Make Your Winrock Zoysia® Plugs: Using the pattern on the top or bottom of the box, use a large knife to cut the 10"x15" slab of Winrock Zoysia® plugs into plugs. The 10"x15" slab of Winrock Zoysia makes 96 1 1/4" plugs or 35 2" plugs. It is easier to cut the plugs by placing the Winrock Zoysia® slab soil side up while cutting.

3. Plant Your Winrock Zoysia® Plugs: Using a garden hand trowel plant you Winrock Zoysia® plugs on either 6" centers (approximate growth to maturity two years) or 12" centers (approximate growth to maturity three years). Match the soil surface of your plugs to the level of your soil (Don't over expose the plug and also don't bury it). Water the area you have planted so that all of the plugs and all of the surrounding soil is thoroughly saturated. As the green thumbs say with a laugh, "Keep the green side up! "

4. Care For Your New Planted Winrock Zoysia® Plugs: During the first two weeks keep the planting bed with your newly planted Winrock Zoysia® plugs wet. Then do not water more than once a week. Do not fertilize your planting bed until outdoor nighttime temperatures reach approximately 70° Fahrenheit. During Spring months apply a balanced, blended fertilizer (i.e. 13- 13- 13 ). Once during Summer months, brand name "weed and feed" fertilizers will work. Do not fertilize with high Nitrogen fertilizers during the Winter, Spring or Fall. In fact, don't fertilize at all during Fall and Winter! Always apply fertilizer to dry grass and then water thoroughly.

After the first two weeks, only water your Winrock Zoysia® when conditions seem dry. On the average 1" of water per week during Spring and Summer (including rainfall) is adequate. During the Winter your soil will hold its moisture and you need not water as often. Actually, it is better to starve your Winrock Zoysia® for water than to over water. Over watering creates an environment for fungus diseases in turfgrass.

5. Mowing and Weeding: You should mow your new Winrock Zoysia® plugs when the leaf blades (or weeds) reach 1 1/2 inches in height. Mowing helps your Winrock Zoysia® plug plant material spread by growing through its root system. Letting weeds get too high will shade your Winrock Zoysia® plug plant material from needed sunlight. We prefer reel mowers but rotary mowing is okay. You may maintain your Winrock Zoysia® plug planted area from 1/2 inch mowing height up to 3 inches in height. Let your preference be your guide. Follow our mowing rule: "Never mow away more than 1/3 of the leafblade each time you mow."

During its grow-in phase the bare ground around your Winrock Zoysia® plugs will sprout weeds and possible other grasses. Your Winrock Zoysia® plugs are resistant to most brand name weed killing herbicides. During Summer months a brand name "weed and feed" fertilizer will usually do a good job on weeds. Simply consult with your local nurseryman. If bermudagrass is found, dig it out - herbicides won't kill bermudagrass and it grows six times faster than Winrock Zoysia®. Bermudagrass is a weed to Zoysiagrass growers! You should allow approximately two growing seasons for growth to full maturity after planting your Winrock Zoysia® plugs.

SOLID SOD