Mowing Zoysia Plugs

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.