Help! I have weeds in my Zoysia

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.

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