The desire to have a manicured lawn surrounding your home is a fairly recent development in U.S. history.

It wasn’t until the late 1800s and early 1900s, when golf courses began popping up around the country, that the “golf course-like lawn” became a goal for many Americans. It’s no coincidence that, right around this time, we begin seeing Zoysia grass, which is native to Asia, in the United States. These warm-season grasses have a deep, drought-resistant root systems, they can grow in a variety of soil types, and they tolerate cold temperature, shade, and salt. Zoysia grasses spread through above-ground stems called stolons and underground stems called rhizomes that give them a beautiful, dense turf that is extremely resistant to lawn weeds and very tolerant of heavy foot traffic. In recent years, turfgrass breeders have also made improvements to the insect resistance and overall performance of these grasses, but they are not entirely without challenges. Because these grasses are so dense, they tend to develop a thick layer of organic material at the soil level known as a thatch. Zoysia grass should be planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed and they should be also be aerated and dethatched in the early spring so they have time to recover before the next peak growing season. Zoysia grasses typically require 1” of rain or irrigation per week, although sandy soils which are common to our area may require more frequent watering to maintain their green color, especially during the hot summer months. They should be kept at a height of 1 to 1 ½ inches, they have a relatively low nitrogen requirement, and they prefer a soil pH of 5.8 to 7.0. Zoysia grasses are relatively low maintenance and soil testing can help you determine the nutrient requirements of your lawn but, if you’re looking for the “golf course-like lawn” that has been a part of the American dream since the turn of last century, there’s no substitution for the care of a trained professional. If you are in Sarasota or Bradenton, call Wells at GreenEdgeLawn & Ornamental at 941-756-9301.

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