Zoysia Lawn Question

Gary B
by Gary B
About 1-1/2 years ago (July 2011) we replaced our St. Augustine lawn wiith zoysia. Since then my lawn maintenane people have been cutting the grass to a height of 3 to-3-1/2". While the grass looks OK and is weed free, it has a gnarled look and I have had recurring issues with fungus. I was out one day and passed a home with zoysia grass that was absolutely beautiful. The grass could not have been more than 1-1/2 to 1-3/4" high. It was absolutely perfect looking. I would like to reduce the height of our lawn from the present 3 to 3-1/2" to around 1-1/2". My question is -- should I do this now or wait until spring ? We are in the Orlando, Florida area. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Gary B.
  4 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jan 04, 2013
    Gary, your lawn crew was using mowing practices for St. Augustine on your Zoysia. The house you observed was doing it right: Zoysia should not be kept more than 1 1/2 inches high. My Zoysia is pretty much dormant now in New Smyrna and I suspect yours is as well, so I would wait until you start to see signs of growth again before cutting it lower. You'll find some excellent tips on Zoysia care from Hometalk member and Georgia Gardener Walter Reeves here (adjust the timing forward for our warmer climate): http://www.walterreeves.com/lawn-care/zoysia-mowing/
  • Gary B Gary B on Jan 04, 2013
    Douglas: Thank you for your reply. Our lawn is mostly dormant now so I willI will take your advise and reduce the mowing heighty in spring when new growth appears. Thanks again, Gary B.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jan 04, 2013
    You're welcome, Gary. I hope you'll be as happy with your Zoysia as I am with mine.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jan 05, 2013
    I had to laugh because I am a "naturalist" when it comes to my Zoysia...I don't want it cut at all. I love it best when it is fully grown out. We have the emerald green that is hard to find these days so it may be different than yours...and we are not as tropical either! We only mow 4-5 times a year! Zoysia is supposed to be cut very low, but because of the droughts we have had in GA over the past 10 or so years, we would lose ours if we kept it that short...the sun would bake it!