What should I do for weeds coming up between my plugs?
Depending on your plug spacing and the part of the country you are in, it can take 1 to 3 growing seasons for the plugs to fill in completely. During this fill-in period, you may have weeds starting to set up shop in the open areas between the plugs. There are a couple methods for keeping weeds at bay.
Mechanical Control
Hand pulling weeds/using a weeding tool may be a great option. Consider this method if:
- You have time to stay on top of pulling the weeds from your lawn as they show up.
- The amount of weeds is relatively low.
- The type of weeds in your Zoysia can be easily pulled.
- You wish to get rid of the weeds without the use of chemicals
Frequent Mowings
Another way to keep weeds from taking over your Zoysia grass is to keep the height of your lawn low. This will be beneficial in a few ways. You can promote the outward growth of the plugs by keeping them mowed to a height of 1.5 to 2 inches. Weeds will also be unable to shade out the plugs if they are kept low. Consider this method if:
- The area you are controlling weeds in is relatively large.
- A moderate amount of weeds are coming up.
- You do not wish to apply a pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicide
Chemical Control
Chemical control can be a good option for controlling weeds. It is recommended to use a selective herbicide that will control specific weeds but not injure the Zoysia. It is good to first identify the type of weeds you have. Grassy (Crabgrass, Foxtail, Goosegrass, etc.), Broadleaf (Clover, Dandelion, Plantain, etc.) or Sedges (Yellow Nutsedge, Kyllinga, etc.). Each different type of weed may require a specific herbicide. There are some products available that will control multiple types of weeds. Always be sure to read the label and follow the application instructions and make certain the product is safe for use on zoysiagrass. Consider this method if:
- The area in which you are controlling weeds is any size.
- The weeds are starting to mix in with the plugs.
- You do not have the time required to hand pull the weeds.
- Difficult to control weeds are present.
No matter which method you choose, it is always best to be proactive and act at the first sign of weeds. This will certainly make controlling weeds easier and in the long run, cut time off your plug’s establishment. If you have any questions or would like a recommendation on a product to use, feel free to contact us at team@zoysiaplug.com.
When your Zoysia Plug order arrives immediately remove the Zoysia trays from the boxes. Place the trays in an area that receives ample sunlight and water them enough to ensure all plugs are moist to the touch from top to bottom. Do not let them dry out at any point. The plugs can remain in the trays for several days as long as they receive enough water and 6 or more hours a day of direct sunlight.
Watering After Installation
- Water immediately after planting the plugs
- DO NOT hand water
- USE A SPRINKLER to evenly apply water - place a bowl or other container in the area you are watering and make sure to collect 1” to 1.5”
- Water every morning for two weeks
4 Tips That Will Make Your Plug Installation a Success!
Installing zoysia plugs is super simple! Follow these 4 tips to make your installation go smooth and fast. With a little patience and care, you will be rewarded with a lush, green carpet of zoysia grass.
MOW IT LOW: If installing into an existing lawn, mow your yard at the lowest setting. This makes installing the plugs easier because there is less grass/weeds to plug a hole through. After install, keep the grass mowed to a height of 1.5 to 2 inches to promote the outward growth of the zoysia plugs.
PLAN YOUR PLUG PATTERN: We recommend spacing your plugs no farther than 12 inches apart. You can use marking spray paint or stakes to mark the plug sites ahead of time.
STEP ON THE PLUGS: A good way to seat the plugs in their new holes is to firmly step on them after you install them. This will make sure there are no root-drying air pockets between your yard’s soil and the plug soil. You will want the plug hole to be just shallower than the height of your plug.
COLLECT AN INCH: Zoysia is a drought tolerant grass once established. In the first two weeks, you will want to water your plugs approximately one inch each day. The best way water zoysia is to use a sprinkler. We never suggest hand watering. . .even for small areas. Place a bowl or empty soup can in the middle of the area you are watering and collect at least an inch of water. You also want to try to water in the morning hours only.
Watch our install video here.
While Zenith Zoysia is an aggressive grass, it's upward growth is much slower and minimal compared to other grasses. This means the need to mow will be much less than what you're used to with your existing lawn. Zoysia performs best when it is kept between 3/4 and 2 inches tall. This doesn't mean you have to consistently maintain a certain height to have the lawn you desire! Instead, it simply means mowing your lawn down to a height in this range will keep it healthy and lush. When mowing your grass, try not to mow more than 1/3 of the blade at a time, unless it is the first mowing after the dormancy period. When your lawn begins to green up after the cooler months, getting rid of the entire brown portion of the blade will be best. Clippings of the grass can be left behind unless your mower tends to leave thick clumps that will block the sun from your Zoysia. Mowing throughout the growing period of the Zoysia is necessary, however, when it goes dormant, mowing is unnecessary.
Until your entire lawn is fully established you will have to mow a little more routinely. You will want to begin cutting your lawn after your Zoysia Plugs are established well enough to withstand a mowing (2-4 weeks after your Zoysia Plugs are planted). Because Zoysia is a warm season grass, your desired result will be best achieved when the plugs are exposed to as much light as possible. While they are still taking over, you want to keep your lawn mowed to 1 ½” to 2” so grasses surrounding the plugs do not overshadow your plugs. Furthermore, mowing regularly will force the plugs growth outward, helping them to spread more effectively.