Zoysia Farm Nurseries: Planting & Maintenance

Planting Zoysia

"Several years ago I purchased some zoysia from you and I am proud to say that the lawn is the envy of the neighborhood." - L.S.

Planting and Shipping Times

Ideal planting times vary greatly from region to region and year to year. Local weather conditions for planting in your area and here at our farm for harvesting grass are impossible to predict. Our regional Planting and Shipping Map has general information about the usual planting and shipping times to your area. Daily we review weather conditions and make our best judgments when to harvest and ship each order.

Quick Start Instructions

Easy planting instructions are included in every order shipped.

Here is a brief summary of the instructions:

  1. Mow your existing lawn as low as possible (if applicable).
  2. Be sure the ground is workable (is it moist enough for planting?).
  3. Determine your starting point and insert the plugger in the ground to remove the established grass and make a hole for your zoysia plug.
  4. Put the zoysia plug in the hole and fill in around the edges with soil.
  5. Lightly tamp the plug into the ground with the heel of your foot or hand.
  6. Water lightly.
Click for the complete Planting Instructions.

Here's a short video on planting Amazoy plugs:


(Click the preview above to start the video)
View our Order & Price Information now!

With more than five decades of experience, we have the harvesting, packaging, delivery and planting process down to a science. To ensure maximum freshness and viability, the Freestyle Plugs are shipped not cut. Before planting, separate the sheet into plugs no smaller than 1 inch by 1 inch square with sharp shears or utility knife.

Amazoy Zoysia Freestyle Plugs are harvested in pieces of sod measuring approximately 10" by 15". Each piece contains up to 150 plugs each 1 inch square. The freestyle part is you can make the plugs bigger if you want your lawn to fill in more quickly or plant them closer together then one foot apart for even faster fill in. The best method for cutting plugs is to lightly dampen the soil and cut a strip of grass 1" (or more) wide and then cut across into individual plugs 1" (or more).

Super Plugs eliminate the cutting as they come precut as individual 3" by 3" plugs ready to plant. They arrive in easy to handle trays each tray has 15 Super Plugs. Super Plugs can be planted 6 inches to 24 inches apart.

We ship all orders the same day plugs are packed at the earliest correct planting time for your area.

You can plant Amazoy plugs in bare ground or in an existing lawn. Dig holes about one foot apart as in the diagram. For faster coverage, plant closer together. There's no need to dig up your old lawn -- zoysia will choke out weeds and other grasses.

If you use our exclusive Amazoy 18" Auger it's easy to dig the holes quickly. Zoysia can be planted any time spring through early fall, as long as there is no danger of frost, the ground is workable and you can lightly water daily for three weeks.

You should plant your plugs as soon as possible upon receipt, but they must be planted within two weeks.

Time to Fill In

If planted one 1" plug per square foot (the minimum we recommend), Amazoy zoysia can take two to three growing seasons to completely fill in, depending upon your climate. You may reduce the time it takes for zoysia to fill in by planting the plugs closer together. If plugs are planted every 6", the number of plugs needed would be 2 plugs per square foot of coverage desired, reducing the time to fill in by approximately 1/2. Super Plugs can be planted up to 24 inches apart.

Watering Newly Planted Plugs

Once your plugs have been planted, water them using a gentle mist, not a heavy stream of water.

While your plugs get their start in their new home, they will need a light watering every day. Keep up daily watering for three weeks. After that, water according to weather conditions.

Our Moisture Meter helps to determine watering needs. Our Automatic Water Shut-Off helps to assure plugs receive the proper amount of water.

Fertilizing New Plugs

"Frankly I was a little doubtful when I ordered your
zoysia grass, for one thing our Long Island soil is so poor I’d begun to think nothing would last in it.
But my plugs took hold and spread into a lawn
as even as our living room carpet." —C.G.
Widespread tests in many states, and with many thousands of lawn owners, have shown that Amazoy grass will grow in virtually any soil from heavy clays to sandy, salty beach areas. However, Turf Thrive is an excellent addition to any soil to unlock existing natural nutrients helping to strengthen roots.

It is obvious that the better the nourishment and care of the grass while it is getting its foothold, the sooner you'll enjoy a lawn that stays beautiful with far less care and expense. If you decide to fertilize your new plugs do NOT use ordinary, granular fertilizers. They can burn or cause serious damage. You must use a water-soluble fertilizer, such as our own Nutri-20, which has been specially formulated for use on zoysia.

In the important starting period, applications of Nutri-20 can do wonders. The poorer your soil, the better the results you will see with this balanced fertilizer. Apply Nutri-20 immediately after planting and every two weeks thereafter during the growing season.

Order enough for shrubs, flowers, fruits and vegetables; you'll love what it does for them too.

Your Newly Planted Zoysia Lawn

As a general rule, zoysia plugs do not require "special" care when first planted. However, in order to facilitate the growth and establishment of a good root system, excessive use and play should be kept to a minimum during the first 45 days after planting. It is also best to minimize the amount of time your pets spend on the plugs for at least the first month after planting.

Mowing New Plugs

Zoysia planted in bare soil should NOT be mowed for at least one month. After you clearly see new growth developing, cut the grass to about 1 1/2". After complete coverage, the lawn may be maintained at any height over 1/2", however, we suggest a healthy height of 1 1/2" to 3" Easy to follow instructions are included with your order.

Maintenance

After your Amazoy zoysia lawn is established it requires very little care and maintenance. Minimal mowing, watering and annual maintenance will reward you with a thick, luxurious green lawn, which will also allow you to transplant additional zoysia plugs on your own. Here are answers to the most common care questions:

Watering

Amazoy will require up to 80% less irrigation than other grasses. Your zoysia lawn will only require supplemental watering if there has been very little rainfall.

Mowing

You will not need to mow nearly as often because zoysia doesn't grow tall quickly. A healthy zoysia lawn should be mowed to a height of 1 1/2" to 3". A golden rule when mowing any turf is "never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf height."

Should You Fertilize?

Although zoysia can survive and grow in any soil, additional nutrients may help speed up growth and improve color. An application of a quality fertilizer should provide your Amazoy zoysia plugs with a "jump start" to a beautiful zoysia lawn. Zoysia requires water-soluble mixtures; we recommend Nutri-20, which has been specifically formulated for zoysia grass plugs.

Our planting and care instructions are included with your order.

Fertilizing an Established Zoysia Lawn

Widespread tests in many states and with many thousands of lawn owners have shown that Amazoy grass will grow in virtually any soil from heavy clay to sandy, salty beach areas. Your zoysia lawn will be its most luxurious and healthy if it is fertilized once a year in late May or early June when the grass is actively growing. If you decide to fertilize your lawn, do NOT use ordinary, granular fertilizers. They can burn or cause serious damage to your lawn. You must use a water-soluble fertilizer such as Nutri-20. Nutri-20 has been specially formulated for use on zoysia. Order enough for shrubs, flowers, fruits and vegetables; you'll love what it does for them too.

Nutri-20 Fertilizer

Nutri-20 is a water-soluble fertilizer specially formulated for zoysia grass lawns. It will also improve the health and growth of shrubs, plants and vegetables.

Nutri-20 is available in 5, 10, and 15 pound packages.

Applying Fertilizer

Fertilizer should be applied with a hose-end sprayer, since this supplies necessary water as well as fertilizer. Always follow directions carefully when applying any fertilizer product to avoid problems associated with over feeding such as chemical burn. Download our directions for application.

Watering an Established Zoysia Lawn

National turf tests have shown that zoysia lawns require much less water than many other grasses. Irrigation can be reduced up to 80%. As a general rule, an established zoysia lawn will not require supplemental watering unless there has been little rainfall. If the ground around your zoysia is dry and cracking, supplemental watering is necessary. Excessive watering may damage the root system. Do not over water Amazoy Zoysia.

Moisture and Zoysia

For maximum growth, zoysia plug roots should not be saturated. After the lawn is established, little, if any, supplemental watering is necessary to maintain your lawn. Excessive watering will damage the root system. Our Moisture Meter helps to determine watering needs.

Grass Height

Once the plugs have taken root, a healthy zoysia lawn should be maintained at a height of 1 1/2" to 3". A golden rule of mowing is "never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf height."
"Fulfilled Great Expectations" —A.B. in Matawan, NJ

Mowing an Established Zoysia Lawn

Amazoy's slow growth rate dramatically reduces mowing frequency. Normal mowing height is 1 1/2" to 3", but your lawn can be maintained, if desired, at 1/2". Consistent height can be maintained by using a sharp rotary or reel mower. Remember, never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade.

Dethatching

Most zoysia lawns do not require dethatching. If you determine dethatching is necessary, it is advisable to do so in the spring to improve the passage of air, water and nutrients through the turf. Our easy to use Liquid Thatch Remover goes to work quickly, or alternatively dethatching equipment usually can be rented locally.

Can I use weed killers?

If your zoysia hasn't had a chance to fill in and choke out weeds yet, you can use any available product for general weed problems. To apply water-soluble components, use our Hose-End Sprayer. Do not use Roundup or like products as it will seriously harm your zoysia grass.

Transplant Your Own Plugs

Once your zoysia is established, our exclusive Step-On Plugger (currently sold out) helps you transplant your own zoysia plugs. You can transplant plugs from an established lawn up to two times a season, and it should still be able to "heal itself" within the same season.

Installing Borders

Plastic or metal borders inserted 6" into the ground will keep zoysia from invading flowerbeds, vegetable gardens and your neighbor's lawns. We recommend our Easy-Edge® Lawn Edging.
What's special about
Zoysia Grass?
Is Amazoy really the
best Zoysia Grass?
How do I know Zoysia Grass
is right for my lawn?
Are plugs better
than seed?