Zoysia grass offers a middle ground between Bermuda and fescue for Oklahoma lawns, providing good heat tolerance and better shade tolerance than Bermuda. Zoysia grows more slowly than Bermuda (requiring less mowing), creates a dense, carpet-like lawn, and handles moderate shade well. The tradeoffs are slower establishment, longer dormancy, and higher cost. Mow Zoysia at 1-2 inches, fertilize 2-4 times per year, and water deeply but less frequently than Fescue. Complete Lawn Care can adapt our program for lawns with Zoysia.
Why Choose Zoysia in Oklahoma?
Better shade tolerance than Bermuda: Zoysia handles 4-6 hours of sun, while Bermuda needs 6-8. If you have partial shade where Bermuda struggles but don’t want the maintenance of fescue, Zoysia may work.
Less mowing required: Zoysia grows slowly compared to Bermuda. During peak season, you might mow every 10-14 days instead of weekly.
Dense, carpet-like texture: Healthy Zoysia creates a thick, luxurious lawn that’s soft underfoot and resists weed invasion.
Good drought tolerance: Once established, Zoysia handles Oklahoma’s dry spells reasonably well, though not quite as well as Bermuda.
Lower fertilizer needs: Zoysia requires about half the nitrogen of Bermuda, saving money and reducing environmental impact.
Zoysia’s Drawbacks
Slow to establish: Zoysia spreads slowly. A new lawn may take 2-3 years to fully fill in compared to one season for Bermuda. Most Zoysia lawns are installed as sod rather than seed.
Longer dormancy: Zoysia goes dormant earlier in fall and greens up later in spring than Bermuda. You’ll have a brown lawn for more of the year.
Higher initial cost: Zoysia sod is more expensive than Bermuda, and seed establishment is impractical for most homeowners.
Thatch prone: Zoysia tends to build thatch faster than some other grasses. Regular aeration is important.
Slow recovery: If damaged, Zoysia is slow to repair itself compared to Bermuda’s aggressive spreading.
Mowing Zoysia Grass
Height: 1-2 inches. Lower heights (1-1.5″) create a golf-course look but require more frequent mowing. Higher heights (1.5-2″) are more forgiving.
Frequency: Every 7-14 days during the growing season, depending on growth rate and desired appearance. Zoysia’s slow growth means less mowing than Bermuda.
Sharp blades are essential: Zoysia’s dense, wiry texture makes it harder to cut cleanly. Dull blades tear rather than cut, leaving brown tips.
Reel mowers preferred: For the best cut quality, especially at lower heights, reel mowers outperform rotary mowers on Zoysia. However, a well-maintained rotary mower works fine for most homeowners.
Watering Zoysia
How much: About 1 inch per week during active growth, including rainfall. Zoysia needs less water than fescue but is similar to Bermuda.
How often: Deep, infrequent watering (1-2 times per week) encourages deep roots. Zoysia develops excellent drought tolerance once established.
During establishment: New Zoysia sod needs consistent moisture for several weeks until roots establish. This is a critical period.
Fertilizing Zoysia
How often: 2-4 applications per year, significantly less than Bermuda. Over-fertilizing Zoysia promotes thatch and excessive growth.
Timing: First application after full green-up (usually May in Oklahoma). Second, in mid-summer. Optional light fall application.
Nitrogen rate: 1-2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year total. Much less than Bermuda’s 3-4 pounds.
Weed Control for Zoysia
A healthy, thick Zoysia lawn is naturally resistant to weeds. Standard pre-emergent herbicides work well for preventing crabgrass and other annuals. Post-emergent broadleaf herbicides are safe for Zoysia. Because Zoysia is slow to fill gaps, aggressive weed prevention is important, especially in newer lawns.
Zoysia’s Annual Cycle in Oklahoma
Winter: Dormant and brown. Zoysia turns a tan/straw color that some find more attractive than Bermuda’s brown.
Spring: Late green-up, usually mid-April to May. Zoysia waits for consistent warmth before emerging.
Summer: Peak growth and beauty. Zoysia thrives in summer heat but grows slower than Bermuda.
Fall: Early dormancy, often by mid-October. Growth slows significantly as nights cool.
Is Zoysia Right for Your Oklahoma Lawn?
Consider Zoysia if: You have partial shade where Bermuda struggles. You want a low-maintenance, slow-growing lawn. You prefer a dense, carpet-like texture. You can afford higher initial installation costs. You’re patient for establishment.
Stick with Bermuda if: You have full sun. You want faster establishment and repair. Budget is a concern. You prefer a longer green season.
Complete Lawn Care’s Zoysia Program
We adapt our lawn care program for Zoysia lawns, adjusting fertilization rates and timing to match Zoysia’s unique needs. Our approach prevents over-fertilization while keeping your lawn healthy and thick. Contact us to discuss the best program for your specific grass type.
Contact Complete Lawn. Care:
Phone: (918) 605-4646 | Email: [email protected] | Online: completelawncaretulsa.com/get-a-quote