Zoysia Fall Practices for Lawn Care Operators

As we wrap summer up and get into early fall in the transition zone, most lawn care operators have one thing on their mind: aeration and overseeding. This is great for cool-season lawns, but zoysia has a completely different set of requirements and timing that throws an annoying little wrench into things. Here are some things to remember as you begin your fall treatment scheduling:

• Zoysia should be aerated when it’s actively growing and will continue to grow long enough to fully recover (July is usually ideal). If you don’t have enough zoysia properties to warrant a mid-summer aeration route, make them your first priority when you begin fall aeration. 
• Communicate to newer technicians, who may not know that zoysia is different from cool-season lawns, that they shouldn’t spread grass seed on it. It sounds elementary, but I see this each year, and it’s a loser for everyone involved when it happens. 
• Go easy or do not apply nitrogen fertilizer after fall aeration on zoysia. If you can get out in August, a light shot is okay — but no nitrogen on zoysia after Labor Day is a good rule of thumb. 
• While on property for aeration, visually inspect zoysia lawns for any problem areas and issues. Surface-feeding insects such as chinch bugs and billbugs may have reached a threshold and require treatment this year and/or next. Once the grass has gone dormant, you won’t be able to diagnose anything, and the problem will just reappear next year as overwintering bugs wake up and the grass greens up. 
• Apply fungicide for zoysia patch around mid-late September or when soil temperatures are steadily at 70℉. ArmorTech Zoxy-PG is a great choice and convenient granular formulation when you likely don’t have a sprayer dedicated to fungicide running, or there are a number of good sprayable options.

With these things in mind, you’ll be ready to give zoysia lawns the care they need this fall. As always, contact your local ATS sales representative with any questions you may have about treatment options. 

Scott Sand
Sales Representative