Zoysia grass is a popular choice for Texas lawns, offering a dense, carpet-like appearance and notable tolerance to high heat and moderate drought once established. This turfgrass creates a thick mat, which naturally helps suppress weed growth. However, successful establishment depends almost entirely on proper installation timing, which must align with the grass’s active growing cycle to overcome Texas’s intense summer conditions.
Optimal Planting Timelines in Texas
The best time to plant Zoysia grass in Texas is generally during the late spring and early summer, typically spanning from April through June. This window allows the turf to develop a robust root system before the most severe heat of mid-summer arrives. Zoysia requires the soil temperature to be consistently at or above 65°F for the roots to begin active growth, with optimal rooting occurring closer to 70°F.
The precise timing varies slightly by region. South Texas homeowners can often begin planting in March or early April. In North Texas, it is safer to wait until late April or early May, ensuring the risk of a late-season frost has passed and the soil has sufficiently warmed. Planting during the extreme heat of July or August is highly discouraged, as high temperatures and water restrictions place severe stress on new turf, hindering establishment.
Pre-Planting Soil Preparation
Preparing the soil before planting Zoysia grass directly impacts the long-term health and establishment speed of the turf. A professional soil test is recommended to determine nutrient levels and the soil’s pH. Zoysia grass thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral range, ideally between a pH of 6.0 and 7.0.
If the soil test indicates a pH outside this range, amendments such as granulated lime (to raise pH) or elemental sulfur (to lower pH) should be applied. Existing vegetation, including old grass or weeds, must be completely removed, often through mechanical methods or a nonselective herbicide, to eliminate competition for resources. Finally, the soil should be loosened to a depth of at least four to eight inches through tilling to ensure new roots have loose, well-drained material to penetrate.
Planting Techniques: Sod, Plugs, and Seed
Zoysia grass can be installed using three primary methods: sod, plugs, or seed, each offering a different balance of establishment speed versus cost.
Sod provides an instant lawn, as it is mature turf cut into strips, and is the fastest way to cover an area. When laying sod, the pieces should be placed tightly together with staggered seams and immediately rolled to ensure complete contact between the sod roots and the prepared soil.
Plugs are small pieces of sod planted individually, typically spaced six to twelve inches apart. This method is more cost-effective for large areas but requires patience, as it may take one to two full growing seasons for the plugs to spread and fill in completely.
Seeding Zoysia is the least reliable and slowest method, as only certain varieties like Zoysia japonica are available by seed, and germination can take 14 to 21 days. Zoysia seeds require direct sunlight to germinate, so they should not be covered with soil, only lightly tamped into the surface for good soil contact.
Immediate Post-Planting Care
The first two to four weeks after planting demand a specific watering schedule to encourage root establishment. The primary goal is to keep the top inch of the soil consistently moist without becoming oversaturated. This usually means applying light, frequent watering once or twice a day for the first 10 to 14 days, especially during periods of high heat.
As the new turf begins to root into the underlying soil, the watering frequency should be gradually reduced, while the duration of each watering session is increased. This shift encourages the roots to grow deeper in search of moisture, leading to a more drought-tolerant lawn.
The first mowing should occur once the grass blades have reached about three inches in height. It is important to remove no more than one-third of the leaf blade during this initial cut to minimize stress on the newly establishing grass.