Problem: Zoysiagrass (Lawns)
Problem Info
Patches of dense, wiry grass grow in the lawn, expanding slowly. They turn yellow or brown with the first frost, looking dead, but green up again in mid-spring. Zoysiagrass is a turfgrass that makes an excellent lawn in the South, but can invade other types of lawns to become a weed. It grows more slowly than other turfgrasses, but is unusually dense and able to crowd out competing grasses. Zoysia may be dormant for as much as half the year in the North.
Analysis
Zoysia species Zoysiagrass is a turfgrass that makes an excellent lawn in the South, but can invade other types of lawns to become a weed. It grows more slowly than other turfgrasses, but is unusually dense and able to crowd out competing grasses. Zoysiagrass grows farther north than other southern grasses, surviving temperatures below 10°F. Like other southern grasses, it becomes dormant in cold weather. In the North, it may be dormant for as much as half the year.
Solution Advice
Kill zoysiagrass by spot-treating the patches. Rake out the dead grass and spot-treat any remaining live grass. Repeat if necessary until all the zoysia is dead. Zoysia is tenacious, and will probably reappear the following year. If it does, repeat the treatment.
