Maintaining a healthy lawn is important for the look and feel of your home. Not to mention, it can also add value to your property. Zoysia grass is a popular choice for lawns and gardens, as well as other commercial properties such as golf courses. When it comes to keeping your zoysia grass looking its best, fertilizer is a key ingredient.
There are many different types of fertilizers on the market, so it can be tricky to know which one is best for your needs. In this blog post, we will discuss the best fertilizers to use on zoysia grass and provide some tips for getting the most out of your fertilizer so that your lawn grows healthy and green all season long without costing you an arm and a leg on maintenance costs.
Whether it’s granular or liquid fertilizer, slow-release or quick-release, which NPK ratio it has, and more – we’ll tell you exactly what type will be perfect for your lawn! So if you’re looking to get your lawn in top condition, read on!
What is Zoysia Grass?
Zoysia grass is a type of turf-grass that can be found in the southern and southeastern United States. It has been popular in the US since the 1950s. It’s easy to weed and maintain, and is known for its durability, tolerance to drought and shade, as well as resistance to pests and disease.
As with any lawn or garden plant, it needs fertilizer too!
How to Know If You Have It
Zoysia grass is regarded as one of the best types of lawn to have because it has a fine texture, delicate feel, and slow growth pattern. It can form dense mats and mounds that grow on top of low features. It’s a type of grass that grows in small blades. It is used to make carpet-like or cushioned surfaces/turf. It needs a lot of water, takes a long time to grow, and frequent mowing is required.
Zoysia Grass requires less fertilization and is typically less susceptible to insect and fungus damage than St. Augustine Grass and Bermuda Grass.
What is Fertilizer, And How Does It Work?
Fertilizers are any substances added to the ground soil or plant tissue that can nourish plants and help them grow and remain healthy. There are several distinct sorts of fertilizer, and they’re used in a variety of settings. The finest fertilizers will feed your lawn and garden with essential minerals to allow your plants to thrive.
Fertilizers promote plant growth by giving nutrients to the plants that they require and can utilize to grow. Fertilizers include primarily nitrogen, which stimulates leaf development, phosphorus, which promotes root development, flowers, seeds, and fruit growth, and potassium, which promotes stem development.
There are also calcium, magnesium, and sulfur as the three secondary macronutrients, in addition to many micronutrients including copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and boron.
Why You Need A Fertilizer For Zoysia Grass
Zoysia Grass is a slower grass to grow than many other lawn grasses, so it is necessary that you feed and nurture it well. Fertilizing your Zoysia lawn on a regular basis will provide you with a thick and dense carpet of soft but durable grass. It will also give your grass a deep and vibrant green color that can last almost the whole growing season, and fertilizer also helps Zoysia grass conserve water, which saves you time and energy and can drought-proof your lawn.
When To Fertilize Zoysia Grass
It may be tempting to feed your plants as soon as they have been exposed to the sun. However, excessive fertilization can damage them. You don’t want to overdo it, either.
Be careful that you don’t fertilize your Zoysia Grass too early. You will promote the growth of zoysia grass blades when zoysia roots are still growing, and when early blade development is susceptible to late-season freeze damage.
Season
You should first fertilize toward the middle of spring. Because Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass, you want to wait until the soil temperature hovers around or above 60-65 degrees F.
Then, fertilize again in the middle of summer, maybe in early July. Use a lawn fertilizer with a slow-release form of nitrogen, and apply it at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen (from the NPK ratio) per 1000 square feet. Do a quick watering after any feeding.
You can do a final fertilizing around the beginning to middle of September. In the winter, avoid fertilizing zoysia grass.
Frequency
Be sure to follow the directions on the label for whichever fertilizer you use. Some are weekly applications, and some are only once every 10 weeks or two months.
The Different Types of Fertilizer
Fertilizer can come in many different types and brands and models. For example, there are both organic and inorganic fertilizers.
Inorganic or manufactured fertilizers are made from nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium chemicals produced by industrial processes. The nutrients in these fertilizers are highly concentrated and targeted at the plants’ unique demands, rather than being diluted.
Organic fertilizers contain less NPK macronutrients, but they do provide organic matter to the soil, which aids in the drainage and utilization of water by working in tandem with living microorganisms. Examples of organic fertilizers are compost, manure, and various types of animal and plant meals.
You can also differentiate between granular and liquid fertilizers, fertilizers with a slow-release formula or a quick-release one, and many fertilizers have different and unique NPK ratios.
Granular Vs. Liquid
Granular fertilizer is available in granular or powdered form and may be sprinkled on your grass. Granular fertilizers, unlike liquid ones, require manual application and mixing into the dirt. They have a longer lifespan than liquid types that must be replenished every few weeks. You can also add these particles to the soil by pushing them in, or by doing what is referred to as ‘top dressing’. The purpose of top dressing is to sprinkle the granules over and around the root zone of the plant.
On the other hand, liquid fertilizers are made up of dry granules and liquid concentrates that must be mixed together. You may apply this kind of fertilizer to the roots of seedlings or other plants by spraying them. Overwatering of seeds specifically can cause those seeds to wilt and die. In some cases, watering the roots has little effect; whereas, liquid fertilizer applied to plant leaves directly in many situations is more successful.
Water-soluble fertilizers are frequently diluted with water before being applied to soil in order to avoid causing potentially damaging runoff if not utilized correctly.
Slow-Release Vs. Quick-Release
All of the fertilizers you will find for zoysia grass are either slow-release or quick-release, or a combination of the two. These two types of fertilizer work differently, so it is important to know which one will be better suited for your needs.
Slow-release fertilizers, which are frequently given as monthly applications, release nutrients over time in a slow manner. On the other hand, quick-release fertilizers, which are given once a week, are meant to deliver nutrients more swiftly but in lesser amounts.
As granular fertilizers are more often slow-release and liquid fertilizers more commonly quick-release, we recommend using a granular fertilizer if you need something that takes time to release nutrients into the soil or use a liquid fertilizer if you want timely results.
NPK Ratios
The nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio is one of the most essential factors to consider while purchasing fertilizer since they influence plant growth. NPK ratios play an important role in determining what type of fertilizer works best on different types and varieties of plants including zoysia grass, as they dictate how much nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should go into each product according to its intended purpose.
NPK levels in fertilizers are often listed in a ratio format, such as 10-10-10 or 4-3-4. The order of the numbers is always N-P-K, so 12-4-8 means 12% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 8% potassium.
It’s often a good idea to have your soil tested before applying fertilizer to see how fertile it is. You’ll learn what elements your soil may need, allowing you to apply fertilizer that directly address those needs.
Nitrogen is primarily to promote leaf and petal growth, as well as gives the green color to grass. Phosphate is a major component of roots, flowers, seeds, and fruit. It’s necessary for plant growth in every stage. Potassium, also often listed as Potash, promotes the development and growth of stems and roots, as well as water circulation in grass and vegetation.
The 4 Best Zoysia Grass Fertilizers
Now that you know a bit more about zoysia grass and how to fertilize it, let’s take a look at some of the top-rated options for zoysia grass fertilizers that you should consider using.
#1. Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG
- Phosphorus-free fertilizer blend with fine particle size that includes humic acid, which helps increase turf quality and reduce nutrient requirements
- Contains MUtech coated slow release nitrogen to provide uniform growth and extended feeding
- DG particles do not rely on a physical coating to release nutrients. Coated fertilizers (used by our competitors) are very susceptible to damage from mowers, resulting in premature nutrient release.
- Small particle size gives you twice the number of particles per square foot. DG particle disperse quickly and completely when watered, moving directly into the soil.
- Not for sale in California or Oregon
The Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG is the finest overall fertilizer for Zoysia grass health and appearance. The high nitrogen content in the NPK ratio is beneficial to the grass in growing full, green, and robust. It also contains additional micronutrients including copper, sulfur, manganese, and zinc, as well as a 3% iron concentrate for deep greening. Furthermore, the Humic DG – which is a combination of humic and fulvic acids – enhances the soil’s nutrition levels and gives plants and your lawn grass better access to the fertilizer’s nutrients.
The particles in this Professional PGF Fertilizer are so small that they will cover your grass more densely than any other type of fertilizer – twice the number of granules per area. The more particles there are, the better and more uniform the distribution will be. The Anderson’s patented DG Technology is also included, which allows nutrients to be absorbed more quickly by going straight into the root zone.
#2. Doc’s Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer
- New Improved Formula with 4% Iron !
- Super Juice Lawn Fertilizer is the first ALL-IN-ONE, complete, balanced, lawn fertilizer that comes in a dry mix. Simply add to water and use a hose-end sprayer apply to your lawn.
- Super Juice can be applied in a 14-2-4 ratio for a full acre of lawn, or most use it at half strength in a 7-1-2 ratio, and it treats two full acres. NO waste products or bio waste.
- One bag of Super Juice will treat ONE ACRE* or 43,560 sq ft of lawn at the full concentration rate
- Not sold in California
Doc’s Super Juice All-in-One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer is an excellent all-around solution for any lawn or fertilizer needs, and it’s especially useful to lawns with Zoysia Grass. It has a 14-2-4 NPK ratio that is far higher than the 3-1-2 optimum ratio, as well as a slew of other minerals and micro nutrients, including sulfur, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese, and a 4% iron concentration.
There are also no waste products or bio-waste. One bag of the Super Juice can fertilize one whole acre of land, which is approximately 40,000 square feet, at its peak concentration. For 80,000 square feet of treatment, make it half-strength for a 7-1-2 ratio. Simply add the dry mix to water and use a hose-end sprayer to start spraying, it’s that simple!
#3. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food
- Scotts Green Max Lawn Food is a dual-action fertilizer and iron formula that feeds your lawn and provides deep greening in just 3 days
- This lawn care product contains 5% iron, a micronutrient that enhances the greening process for fast results
- Apply this fertilizer plus iron supplement to any grass type in the spring, summer, or fall
- Guaranteed not to stain concrete, driveways, or other surfaces surrounding your lawn (when used as directed)
- One 33.33 lb. bag of Scotts Green Max Lawn Food covers 10,000 sq. ft.
The Scotts Green Max Lawn Food lawn fertilizer provides a great deep greening in three days, with guarantees not to stain either. It has a 27-0-2 NPK formula, which is an incredible amount of nitrogen and will be very beneficial for both the health and appearance of your Zoysia grass. The 2-in-1, dual action formula not only feeds but also supplements with a 5% iron solution.
You can apply this Max Lawn Food any time in the spring, summer, and autumn months, and it is applicable to any grass type, including Zoysia Grass.
#4. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
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The Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer is the only organic fertilizer on this list, and it’s easy to see why. For almost a century, Milorganite has been a well-known and respected top brand, and golf courses and other commercial properties all over the world have utilized it to maintain the health of their grass. This fertilizer is made from natural materials, so it doesn’t contain any synthetic compounds. It is more effective at nourishing the whole soil and lawn rather than just the grass and plants growing in it because of this.
The 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer is a slow-release fertilizer that breaks down at the same rate as the grass around it requires nutrients. Therefore, the plants receive a balanced diet each and every day while this fertilizer is active, including critical minerals and micronutrients such as iron. The 6-4-0 NPK ratio encourages green and thick Zoysia grass, while Milorganite fertilizer necessitates less watering and reduces mowing time and effort.
Summing Up
We’ve reviewed the best fertilizers for zoysia grass and how they work. Which of these four options will you try to keep your lawn healthy? When deciding, consider that some types are better than others depending on what time of year it is and if you want a slow-release or quick-release fertilizer. Also keep in mind things like NPK ratios and application frequency when selecting a new product because they can sometimes make all the difference between success and failure.
If you would like a recommendation, the Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG by The Andersons is a great fertilizer that you can’t go wrong with. If we can answer any other questions about which fertilizer would be best for your situation please contact us!
