Being accustomed to lush lawns that really enhance ones home, I was most, surprised that St. Augustine was the lawn of choice for most Tampa homes. Companion Zoysia   3. They like the look and feel if it because it is similar to the types of lawns up north, where many of our homeowners are from. It's planted in parks for its excellent wear tolerance, eye catching dark green color and soft-to-the-touch feel. Learn about Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, st augustine grass, and centipede grass. They had the lawn properly aerated to relieve soil compaction and switched over to our organic Soil Building Program to improve the soil health in the entire landscape. EMPIRE is a zoysia japonica a wide-bladed variety that is very durable and drought tough. Our family moved to Florida in 1994. This attribute allows Zoysia to be more tolerant of traffic, drought and freeze than St. Augustine. Emerald Zoysia   6. EMPIRE Zoysia is ideal for kids to romp and play ball on. It is a big thatch producer and requires much moisture. Elevate your lawn expectations. Regular short mowing does discourage weed growth and promptly pulling a weed prevents spreading - a stitch in time saves nine. These are generic recommendations that are meant to work for a wide area, from California to Florida. Unless it is regularly well watered St. Augustine develops dead patches and is quickly overrun by weeds and other grasses like Bermuda & Crabgrass - it struggles in our Florida heat under watering restrictions. , which are often to far gone to treat - I can't begin to count the number of St. Augustine lawns I've seen replaced. Due to its deep massive root system EMPIRE Zoysia can survive on one third of the water St. Augustine needs, which is a major plus - because Hillsborough County has frequently restricted watering to twice a week. St. Augustine does not do as well in the heat, unless, On my previous walks in S. Valrico, I noticed. I had some Bermuda grass try to invade my garden - it had no chance against EMPIRE Zoysia. In the Summer months you want to water around 3 am and in the Winter months around 9 am. was his response - a lawn I had never heard of before. Tampa Bay I'm originally from South Africa, where many homes have picturesque gardens. We’re very pleased.”, 5. No, EMPIRE Turf is naturally chinch bug resistant. Most of the grass in the shaded sections of the yard is dead, and so I was thinking of putting new sod in. Naturally a new lawn will need to be watered regularly - everyday the first 30 days - then, which encourages the roots to grow deep in search of water. Water well less frequently - just enough days a week to prevent wilting. I apply this at least 4 times a year to produce a thick lush deep green healthy lawn. - nicknamed the "EZ" lawn. Empire Zoysia, or any Zoysia for that matter are very slow to spread. Some varieties will recover from damage faster than others. , which is a major plus - because Hillsborough County has frequently restricted watering to twice a week. Wait on any herbicide applications until the grass is rooted in or established. In addition, St. Augustine grass … 2016-05-11 . Maintain between 1-2" (1" is optimal). Homes for sale in FishHawk Ranch, Bloomingdale, Twin Lakes, Panther Trace, Mira Bay & Mira Lago. 6. Of the two turfgrasses, St. Augustine grass is cheaper and easier to establish and maintain while zoysia is a little costlier with a much more frequent maintenance schedule. Testimonials This is primarily the case but it does depend on what soil type you have. needs 12 months for the roots to fully establish in order for it to reach its full drought potential. Contact Us I have a contract with a Lawn & Pest control company, who keeps my EMPIRE Zoysia lawn weed free & looking great. Barry McKently, Director Landscape, Universal Studios Escape, FL - “We put EMPIRE Zoysia in two of our theme parks in Orlando, and it’s doing great. Again, it’s always good to check with a local lawn care professional about specific fertilizers for EMPIRE in your particular climate and soil conditions. When completely dormant, the turf will appear uniformly brown. Come to think of it, you seldom see kids playing on St. Augustine lawn - maybe because of it's rough & uncomfortable feel. ", Barry McKently, Director Landscape, Universal Studios Escape, FL - “We put EMPIRE Zoysia in two of our theme parks in Orlando, and it’s doing great. We would recommend Empire Zoysia to anyone. 7. I think it is Floratam or Palmetto St. Augustine. Putting down herbicide before establishment can be harmful to the grass. These other 'specialized' fertilizers cost up to $30.00 a bag. However, because of this dense canopy, new grass grows over the old which becomes thatch (the dead brown grass that is under the healthy green top.) They make a wide variety of different varieties that you can find at your local pet store or online. Drop you mower a notch and cut that thatch layer off and either bag or rake away the clippings. EMPIRE Zoysia was discovered in hot humid Brazil and does well in similar warmer climates. The landscape guy recommended Zoysia in the well shaded sections of the yard and said it is better shade tolerant than St. Augustine. I'm originally from South Africa, where many homes have picturesque gardens. When to Overseed Zoysia. Mow within 10 days of installation and bag clippings for the first few mowings. In my subsequent research I found EMPIRE Zoysia to be the perfect lawn for the warmer Southern USA regions. Scalping the lawn will add extra stress to an already stressed turfgrass. = 18:24:6 - high phosphorous and nitrogen levels are ideal for new lawns to drive the roots down and green it up. Mowing Differences – Emerald Zoysia Versus St. Augustine Grass. I had to stop the kids playing ball on my old St. Augustine lawn, because it, quickly wore thin and bared under traffic. Insecticide and broad-spectrum fungicides are fine to put down on newly installed EMPIRE. After eight years of fighting chinch bug, drought and brown patch damage with Floratam, I would like to replace my entire lawn with Empire Zoysia. Victoria Zoysia  15. due to it's tight mat and strong, thick, deep root structure that has a reputation to stand up to invading grasses and weeds. While thorough watering is necessary when your Empire Zoysia is just getting acclimated, once established watering is only necessary when dehydration is visible. There is an old saying that reads, "Cheap buying ends up being expensive buying", because you have to re-buy the thing you should have bought in the first place - and with lawn the labor of removing & re-planting is far more than the lawn itself. EMPIRE Turf is a warm-season turfgrass variety meaning it will go into dormancy when the weather turns colder in fall and winter. What do. EMPIRE ® Zoysia is a medium-bladed, dark green zoysiagrass that is easy to maintain, soft and beautiful. EMPIRE has stolons and does spread above ground, but also runs underground with rhizomes. Re-apply at least one more time during the Summer. Wanting to learn from the expertise of this seasoned lawn expert, I asked, "What would your. Disadvantages of St. Augustine… 1. those 3 numbers on every fertilizer bag mean? ", 2. 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