Zoysia (Zoysia japonica)

Who wouldn't want a lawn in their garden? Maybe not in all the terrain, but in an area where we want to rest, read or just have a good time with family and / or friends, it is a very interesting idea without a doubt. But which species to choose? Well, there are many, but this time we recommend you to the Zoysia Japanese lawn grass.

One of the reasons (the rest I will tell you below) is that it is a very resistant plant to footprints, so it is ideal for areas where I pass through. What's more, its maintenance is easy.

Origin and characteristics

Known as zoisia, zoysia, and in other times magical grass due to the many advantages it presents, it is a species of grass native to Southeast Asia. It is characterized by having lanceolate, green leaves. The flowers are grouped in brown inflorescences, and sprout in spring.

Its roots are powerful, something that allows it to withstand drought better than other plants. Also, this makes other seeds of other herbs can germinate, which makes the maintenance work easier.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a magnificent lawn with Zoysia Japanese lawn grass, we recommend that you take into account the following tips:

Location

It is a plant that so that it can grow well you need to be in an area where the sun shines directly, but it can also be in semi-shade and even in shade.

Irrigation

Resists drought very well, up to a month, which is why it is one of the most interesting to have on the lawns of Mediterranean gardens, since in this region rainfall is rather scarce. Even so, and to avoid dry ends, it is better to give it at least three to four weekly irrigations during the hottest season, about two a week the rest.

But go, if one day when it was time to water you forget, you can stay calm since nothing is going to happen to him 🙂.

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Although it is a very resistant herb and easy to have healthy, it does not hurt to pay it regularly during all the warm months of the year. To do this, you must use specific fertilizers for grass, like this one they sell here, following the directions on the package.

You must always bear in mind with this type of product that, if you add more than the recommended amount, what is achieved is that the plant suffers irreversible damage. Therefore, before using it, I insist, read the instructions and, thus, you can enjoy a healthy and beautiful lawn.

Multiplication

By seeds or rhizome cuttings.

Seeds (purchased)

La Zoysia Japanese lawn grass multiplies by seeds, which are sown in spring, as soon as the minimum temperature begins to rise above 15 degrees Celsius. But before that, it's time to prepare the ground:

1. First you have to install the drip irrigation system.
2. Then, you have to remove the stones, as well as of course the herbs that are growing. Help yourself with a rototiller if the field is wide, or a hoe or motor hoe if it is rather small.
3. With a rake, and once everything is clean, level the ground. It doesn't have to be perfect, but the better it is, the better it will look 🙂.
4. OPTIONAL: If you wish, now is a good time to put anti-weed mesh (on sale here). But keep in mind that for zoisia to withstand long periods of drought, it needs the soil to be somewhat deep (about 30 centimeters). In case you are going to water it more or less frequently, with a soil of about 20cm and underneath the mesh may have enough.
5. If you have put in the mesh, add grass soil (for sale here) above and then broadcast the seeds, and if not, go directly to sowing. Try not to make piles, otherwise you will have bald areas.
6. What is done now is to pass the roller (for sale here), so that the seeds are a little buried.
7. The next step is to give it a good watering.

Rhizome cuttings

It is the method that is most used at a private level. To do this, you just have to take a piece of grass with roots, and then plant it in another area.

Sod

The sods are rolls of grass that are sold ready to plant, or to make them into pieces and plant ten pieces per square meter, preferably in spring, but it can also be done in summer.

Harvest

It is an herb that does not grow very fast, so with a monthly mowing during warm months, and one every two months the rest of the year is enough depending on the climate.

Rusticity

It resists frosts of up to -12ºC, but at -5ºC the leaves turn yellow. Likewise, it is very interesting because it also supports salinity (as long as it is not extreme), drought and footsteps.

What did you think of this herb?