Zoysiagrass is a go-to for many Tar Heel State homeowners, particularly in the piedmont and coastal plain areas, thanks to its resilience and heat resistance. But to keep that lawn looking its best, you need a Zoysiagrass maintenance schedule for North Carolina that’s as tough as the grass itself.
Let’s dive into what your Zoysiagrass really needs month-by-month, so you can give it the care it deserves.
Spring lawn care for North Carolina
As spring arrives in North Carolina, Zoysiagrass begins to wake up from its winter dormancy. While the warmer weather might have you dreaming of relaxing weekends at Lake Norman, your yard will need some attention first:
March
- Plant your lawn in the coastal plain: If you’re in the coastal plain region in North Carolina, March is a great time to plant Zoysiagrass sod or plugs (seed is not recommended). You can plant from March through July as long as the soil temperature is above 55 F.
- Mow your lawn: Start mowing when your Zoysiagrass reaches about 50% higher than your desired height. For North Carolina, the recommended height is 0.75 to 2 inches, so mow when the grass is around 1-3 inches. Make sure your mower blades are sharp since Zoysia has stiff leaves.
- Apply herbicides: Apply pre-emergent herbicides from mid-February to early March. This will help prevent summer annual weeds from germinating.
- Dethatch your lawn: Zoysiagrass is prone to thatch — a thick layer of dead grass, roots, and organic material between the soil and the grass. If this thatch layer is thicker than 1/2 inch, use a power rake to dethatch. Be careful not to remove too much at once. You can learn “How to Dethatch your Lawn” in our guide.
April
- Plant your lawn in the piedmont: If you’re in the piedmont region, April to July is the best time to plant Zoysiagrass sod or plugs, as long as soil temperatures are above 55 F. You can also plant in the coastal plain during this month (if you haven’t already done so in March).
- Feed your grass: Emerald and Meyer, two Zoysiagrass cultivars, have different fertilization schedules than other cultivars. In addition, a soil test will determine if your lawn has high fertilization needs, or basic ones.
You can fertilize your lawn from April to August, depending on your cultivar, fertilization needs, and the region where you live:- Piedmont region: Fertilize your yard with high-fertilization needs with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet for Emerald, Meyer, and other cultivars.
- Coastal plain: Fertilize your yard with high-fertilization needs with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, for Emerald, Meyer, and other cultivars.
- Water the grass: Although Zoysia is drought-resistant, it still requires 0.5 to 1 inch of water per week. If rainfall is insufficient, supplement by watering it yourself. In the coastal plain, where sandy soils are common, you may need to water 0.5 inches every three days.
- Mow: Continue mowing at a height of 0.75 to 2 inches. Always ensure you never remove more than one-third of the grass blades during each mowing session. If you want to know more, read our guide: “How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way.”
May
- Keep mowing: Continue mowing your Zoysiagrass at the recommended height of 0.75 to 2 inches. Leave the grass clipping on the lawn instead of bagging them.
- Water your lawn: Keep watering your lawn, adjusting based on rainfall.
- Plant sod or plugs: There is still time to plant Zoysia plugs or sod, whether you’re in the piedmont or coastal plain.
- Apply herbicides: Apply post-emergent herbicides to tackle weeds that have already sprouted, like clover, knotweed, and spurge.
- Fertilize your lawn:
- Piedmont region: Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in Emerald, Meyer, and other Zoysia cultivars in basic-fertilization needs lawns.
- Coastal plain: Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in Emerald, Meyer, and other Zoysia cultivars in basic-fertilization needs lawns, and 0.5 pounds in other cultivars in high-fertilization needs lawns.
Summer lawn care for North Carolina
Summer is prime time for homeowners with warm-season grasses like Zoysiagrass, as it’s the season when your lawn is actively growing and needs the most attention. But don’t worry — this doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all your summer fun, like that trip to Emerald Isle. Here’s what you need to do:
June
- Keep watering and mowing: Follow the spring guidelines, ensuring your lawn receives 0.5 to 1 inch of water per week, and maintain it at a height of 0.75 to 2 inches.
- Spot treat weeds: Apply post-emergent herbicides only on weeds that have already sprouted. Be cautious when selecting products, as Zoysia can be sensitive to certain herbicides. (Read the label to determine product safety on Zoysia lawns.) Also, if your lawn is experiencing drought stress, avoid applying herbicides until it recovers.
- Prevent grubs: If you have a history of grub infestations in your lawn, consider applying preventative chemical control. Use products like Merit or Mach 2 while moths are flying, before they lay eggs.
- Plant Zoysia: There’s still time to plant your Zoysia lawn or to repair it with plugs in June.
- Dethatch: As we mentioned before, Zoysiagrass is prone to thatch buildup. If the thatch layer is thicker than 1/2 inch, use a power rake to dethatch your lawn again in June.
- Fertilize your lawn again:
- Piedmont region: Apply only 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet if you have cultivars other than Emerald and Meyer in high-fertilization lawns.
- Coastal plain: Apply 1 pound per 1,000 square feet to Emerald, Meyer, and other cultivars in high-fertilization lawns.
July
- Keep mowing and watering: Continue mowing at the recommended height and ensure your lawn is receiving the water it needs.
- Dethatch: If you didn’t dethatch in June, you can do it this month.
- Spot treat with herbicides: You can apply post-emergent herbicides once more to stubborn weeds, but make sure you focus only on the weeds, not your turfgrass.
- Last call for planting: This is the last recommended month to plant Zoysiagrass on your lawn, whether you’re in the piedmont or coastal plain.
- Fertilize once more:
- Piedmont region: Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet only in high-needs lawns with Emerald and Meyer cultivars, or in basic-needs lawns with cultivars other than Emerald and Meyer.
- Coastal plain: Apply 0.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet only in high-needs lawns with cultivars other than Emerald and Meyer.
August
- Mow and water your lawn: Continue with your regular mowing routine, maintaining a height of 0.75 to 2 inches. Keep watering the grass, adjusting it based on rainfall.
- Fertilize for the last time:
- Piedmont region: Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet only in high-needs lawns with cultivars other than Emerald and Meyer.
- Coastal plain: Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in both basic and high-needs lawns with Emerald, Meyer, and other cultivars.
Fall lawn care for North Carolina
As the crisp autumn air settles in, your Zoysiagrass begins to slow down and prepare for dormancy. While it might seem like your lawn is winding down for the year, there are still a few important tasks to tackle before winter:
September
- Control grubs: To control Japanese beetle grubs, consider using milky spore bacteria between September and early October, but only if your soil pH level is between 6 and 7. This is a cultural control that will help kill the grubs in your lawn. Learn more about this topic in our guide: “How to Use Milky Spore for Grub Control.”
- Continue mowing: Maintain your mowing routine, just like in the previous months. You can also use one of the best mulching lawn mowers to turn the fallen leaves into natural mulch for your lawn.
- Water as needed: Warm-season grasses like Zoysia go dormant in the fall, so you won’t need to water it as frequently once it starts turning brown. Water only if the soil becomes powder-dry. You can read more about this grass’s growth and how to care for it in our Zoysiagrass guide.
- Careful with fertilization: August was the last recommended month for nitrogen fertilizer, but you can still apply potassium if your lawn still needs the extra care. Consider using 1.6 pounds of muriate of potash, 2 pounds of potassium sulfate, or 5 pounds of sul-po-mag per 1,000 square feet.
- Apply herbicides: Applying pre-emergent herbicides in early fall can help control winter annual and perennial broadleaf weeds that will annoy you in the following months, like chickweed and henbit.
October
- Prevent diseases: Large patch is a common disease in Zoysia lawns, especially during the cooler months. To prevent it, apply fungicides once soil temperatures drop to 70 F for five or more days. Aim for two applications, spacing them 21 to 28 days apart.
- Apply herbicides: If you skipped the pre-emergent herbicide application in September, some weeds may appear in your lawn this month. Use post-emergent herbicides for spot treatments to target them.
- Mow sparingly: As the weather cools, Zoysiagrass growth slows down, so mowing will be less frequent. Mow as needed to keep the lawn tidy and encourage deeper root growth for the winter.
- Water less often: With cooler temperatures and the grass dormant, water only if the soil becomes powder-dry.
November
- Mow even less frequently: Zoysia will grow even less in November, but you might still need to mow it, especially if you live in the coastal plain, where temperatures are warmer.
- Water as needed: Continue to water sparingly, only if the soil becomes exceptionally dry.
- Apply post-emergent herbicides: If any weeds persist, you can apply post-emergent herbicides to the affected area.
- Avoid fertilizing: Whatever you do, don’t apply any fertilizer in late fall or early winter. Fertilizing at this time can lead to winter injury.
Winter lawn care for North Carolina
Winter is the low season for Zoysiagrass lawn care. This means you can finally take a well-deserved break, enjoy some rest, and focus on getting ready for the holidays. Here are a few simple tasks that will ensure your lawn stays healthy during winter:
December to February
- Clean up your yard: With Zoysiagrass dormant, mowing isn’t necessary, but keeping your yard clean is essential. Remove any debris like leaves and branches to prevent smothering the grass, which can cause damage.
- Amend your soil: North Carolina soils are often acidic, so applying lime can help balance the pH. Winter is an ideal time for this because there’s less foot traffic, and the freeze-thaw cycles help incorporate the lime into the soil. Read more about this topic in our guide: “Why, When, and How to Apply Lime to Your Lawn.”
- Water during drought: Only water your lawn during winter if there’s an extended drought. Zoysia needs minimal moisture while dormant.
- Control weeds: If pesky winter annual weeds like chickweed are a problem, apply post-emergent broadleaf herbicides.
- Do not fertilize: Fertilizing during winter can lead to winter injury. Wait until April.
Other North Carolina resources
If you want to know how to care for other grass types in North Carolina, check out our guide:
When to call a professional
Zoysiagrass is a tough and resilient choice for North Carolina lawns, especially in coastal and high-traffic areas. However, like any grass, it requires some regular upkeep to keep it looking its best throughout the year. The good news is, you don’t have to handle it all on your own. Call a local lawn care pro so you can enjoy the benefits of a well-manicured lawn without the hassle.
Main Image Credit: Forest & Kim Starr | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0
