Seeing is believing! And now, I have seen Zoysia matrella lawn grass growing magnificently in both shade and sun and contrasting parts of North Carolina.
It was luxuriant in the sandy soils of the east, in stiff red clay soil in the southern and central areas, and in clay and sandy foam in high mountain regions near Asheville.
Zoysia matrella was carefully studied from a practical viewpoint, and close observations justify the conclusion that this species distinctly has more advantages than disadvantages. It pays off in high dividends with minimum effort.
Permanent Zoysia Lawn
Moreover, a permanent zoysia lawn is not costly when compared to the “quickie” lawns -which involve seasonal preparation for winter rye.
Bermuda grass or other summer grasses. And since its ultimate growth is from 3” to 4” inches, this zoysia requires little mowing, making possible vast savings of labor and time.
The deep-cushioned, velvety carpets seen in this state proved beyond doubt that coverage comes reasonably soon if zoysia plugs or sprigs are set at close intervals; one solid lawn area was produced in six months.
However, complete coverage usually is achieved within two years with an average setting as described in this story. The ability to crowd out Bermuda grass is only one of its many virtues!
The dormant period in North Carolina is relatively brief, and if the zoysia lawn is mowed prior to the first heavy frost, the winter effect is pleasing.
It is the last grass to turn brown and the very first to become green, starting spring growth weeks ahead of other grasses.
An over-planting of ryegrass is not advised by some growers who say that lush rye grass remains green too long into the spring season, thus deterring the growth of early zoysia.
Zoysia Matrella
Since the seed of Zoysia matrella is not available commercially, lawns of this grass must be established by vegetative means. This particular species should not be confused with Zoysia japonica, a seed-producing species.
Zoysia matrella is hardy and cold-resistant; it is known to survive winters as far north as Washington. D. C. and more recent reports indicate ilia( it has not been winter-killed at Milford, Connecticut.
It is sold in square yards and is successfully shipped to many parts of the country. Upon arrival, the sod should be unpacked and placed in the shade, where it can be kept moist until planted.
By “sprigging” (using runners or root fragments), one yard will plant about 1,200 square feet with 12 inches between sprigs.
If planted in 1/2-inch squares 12″ inches apart, one yard of sod will cover 576 square feet; planted 8″ inches apart, it will cover 207 square feet.
For example, the beautiful weedless, deep-cushioned, and semi-shady lawn of Mr. and Mrs. Harold B. Bursley of Charlotte was once a 1,200-square-foot area of heavy clay soil thrown into the lawn area during excavation.
Five years ago, it was plugged with 2-inch blocks, 8″ to 12″ inches apart, with an initial grass cost of about $15.00. A yard titan thoroughly prepared the soil, but the Bursleys did their own “plugging.”
The result was complete grass coverage within two years, and the lawn became lovelier with age.
This exciting grass produces dark green, fine-leaved blades. It should be allowed to grow to a height of at least 3″ inches before the first mowing, and until the grass is established, the mower should be set high.
Zoysia Matrella Attributes
The long roots of Zoysia matrella penetrate deeply into a wide range of soils, making it drought resistant and, according to interviews, insect-free. Its density makes it a durable sod that can crowd out weeds and unwelcome grasses.
Such attributes attracted attention to Zoysia during World War II when it became a favorite for parking fields for heavy trucks and, in some cases.
It was used as camouflage for landing fields because it requires little mowing. Zoysia matrella has been found useful for embankments and road shoulders.
J. Schoenith of Charlotte has eight rolling acres of land in full sun. He likes to show a 7-inch thick concrete slab in a part of the upper terrace where a heavy truck, hauling five yards of concrete for the swimming pool, crossed and recrossed it, smashing the block to bits but leaving no trace of tracks or damage in the lawn.
Growing Zoysia as Hobby
After 53 years of railroad service, J. L. Snipes, age 75, began growing zoysia as a hobby in his hometown at Hamlet, a sandy section about 100 miles southeast of Charlotte.
His neighbor, L. G. Jordan, a retired railroad man, couldn’t resist Mr. Snipe’s enthusiasm, so he became engrossed in raising the sensational zoysia.
Now Mr. Snipes has an experimental zoysia farm from which 3,000 square yards have been shipped within the last eight months. His bubbling personality and keen knowledge of zoysia culture have contributed largely to the increased interest in this lawn grass in North Carolina.
“Look at that cinder bed where we thought we were piling up dead roots of zoysia,” he exclaimed as he pointed to a lush carpet in his friend’s yard. Here with no human effort expended, was rampant zoysia crowding out Bermuda grass in less than one year!
We found a variety of experiments being carried on at the farm; some sections had been burned off, some fertilized, and others unfertilized.
A one-year-old block with a tightly woven matting of zoysia was growing unhampered in a section where all the top soil had been removed, proving that it is a stubborn grower under unfavorable conditions.
For two winters, this grass did not become brown at Hamlet, but a sudden temperature dip caused a browning off during late November of last year, and the grass became green six weeks ahead of all other grasses.
Cultural Tips
The two growers at Hamlet give the following cultural tips:
1. Thoroughly work the soil, preparing it as you would for any lawn. A soil test is suggested if the land is too acidic agricultural lime should be applied according to recommendations. As a rule, liming gives good results.
2. In the sandy area of Hamlet, North Carolina, two to four pounds of 4-10-s commercial fertilizer per 100 square feet is broadcast over the lawn area when preparing the soil. Light monthly applications are repeated for about three months.
These growers recommend larger applications for clay soils. The roots should never be allowed to come in contact with fertilizer. Watering sprigs or sod until they are established is essential.
3. Hamlet’s prettiest and smoothest lawns are made by sprigging one square yard of runners, laid horizontally in little furrows 10 to 12 inches apart.
When setting these runners, carefully avoid covering the entire plant; set the feeder roots straight down and lightly cover the sprigs with soil, allowing the leaves to be left uncovered.
Firm the runners and water at once to prevent drying. Watering should continue until plants are established, with regard, of course, to weather conditions. Keep the lawn weed free after setting.
Planting Zoysia
Before leaving Hamlet, we looked in on Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Lomax. Jr., a young couple who faced a dismal forest of “Black Jack” or scrub oaks. They immediately removed the wilderness and started to work on their yard.
The soil was prepared, and zoysia sprigging was started on the front lawn, completely covered in less than two years. They then worked on the rear lawn sprigging it in July 1951.
No fertilizer was applied to this area, but as the photograph on page 55 reveals, the grass is spreading rapidly.
Beyond Asheville and some 250 miles west of Hamlet is Weaverviife. Here Zoysia carpets high mountainsides and valleys despite extremely cold winters and cool summer nights.
This grass was planted by Miss Nell Pickens of Sleepy Hollow Farm, a retired teacher who was an extension economist in home management at Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn, where Zoysia’s experiments have been carried on since 1927.
When the site returned to her mountain home in 1941, she brought 25 yards of this grass for experimental purposes.
Not long before her hobby became so successful, she, too, began filling “square yard” orders, shipping to all parts of the country.
“Here is a grass that will thrive in shade or sun, requiring little mowing or attention. It is an all-round joy, and I like to think that the women’s clubs of Alabama made it possible by their constant pleading for a grass that would not burn up in summer months,” said the enthusiastic Miss Pickens.
A search for this variety led Alabama experimental experts to Washington, where the United States Department of Agriculture gave them samples of lawn grass to bring to trial in the South.
Much credit is given to Dr. D. G. Sturkie, an agronomist at Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn, who has spent an endless amount of time in zoysia experimental research, helping develop a fine grass for the Southeast and perhaps for other parts of the country, too.
Miss Pickens paid high tribute to T. C. King, a nurseryman at Auburn, who likewise has experimented with and helped promote this grass for more than 20 years, making it possible for men and women to open divisions of his nursery in other states.
Planting Time For Zoysia
Zoysia is one grass that has no specific planting time; it can be planted from early spring through early fall. Miss Pickens set her first runners in September, and the ground became frozen in November, remaining that way until around March.
To her amazement, green tips began showing in the spring months and continued to grow unimpeded, with no signs of winter damage.
She likes to use zoysia to stop erosion by planting solid rows across slopes and terraces.
She has given it rigid deep shade trials, proving it grows happily in such locations if ample moisture and additional fertilizer are applied.
On her acreage, Miss Pickens prepared the soil, removed large stones, and did a good pulverizing job, as would be done for any good lawn base. Then she fertilized the area with two to five pounds of 6-8-4 commercial fertilizer per 100 square feet, working it thoroughly into the soil.
On Established Lawns
One recommendation is to start fertilizing in the spring with the above commercial-type plant food or 440-7 at the rate of about one or two pounds per 100 square feet, repeating the application in a month.
After the soil was prepared, she made rows of little furrows in which sprigs (pulled apart from sod) were planted lengthwise with the roots anchored but the leaves exposed. The furrows were rolled and watered.
According to this grower, the future of the lawn depends upon adequate watering when setting sprigs or squares and upon watching this phase of culture until they take root.
A zoysia lawn is indeed rewarding, and it deserves our attention, our patience, and a fair trial.
44659 by Cora A. Harris