- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Winter Olympics
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Zoysia Struggling
Posted on 5/19/25 at 1:28 pm
Posted on 5/19/25 at 1:28 pm
Just moved into my new construction house from an hour away. Zoysia sod looked decent for first month. Had timer set for a regular watering schedule for entire first month. Held off on cutting it. Then around week 5/6 a lot of rain was forecasted so I turned off the timers and figured I’d be good to go.
Arrived over the weekend to move in to find it in this condition. It looks like all it took was one hot dry week (last week) to fry it. I don’t think enough soil was placed on top of the crappy dirt/clay before laying the sod.
I’m going to get back on the water; as well as, aerate and top dress the majority of the lawn.
Am I screwed or should it bounce back with these basic interventions?
5
Posted on 5/19/25 at 1:40 pm to Kunu
Is there any orange/brownish powder on it? Mine looks similar due to zoysia fungus. I've treated it with a couple of products and it keeps coming back after a couple of weeks. 
Posted on 5/19/25 at 1:49 pm to Loup
I’ll look closer when I get home from work but no. Mainly looks very dry and thin like all the soil has eroded away underneath.
Posted on 5/19/25 at 2:01 pm to Kunu
quote:If your lawn is like most other new builds that I see online then half of your "dirt" is concrete chunks.
I don’t think enough soil was placed on top of the crappy dirt/clay before laying the sod.
Stick a screwdriver in the worst spots to see if you find some concrete. Then that'll give you an answer.
Otherwise, mow it and water it really deeply. You may want to give it some balanced fertilizer too.
This post was edited on 5/19/25 at 2:02 pm
Posted on 5/19/25 at 3:22 pm to Kunu
I might be wrong, but I don’t think I would aerate and topdress while it’s stressed. Sod cutting trims off roots, so anything you do wrong right now is going to be augmented. Maybe you can get an accurate diagnosis and treat accordingly, but if you’re trying to push it out of the stress otherwise, you might get frustrated, because Zoysia is slow to respond. The first year Zoysia focuses on roots. You can fill the crevices with soil so the edges of sod squares don’t dry out as easily, but grass may not fill in until next year.
Give it time.
Give it time.
Posted on 5/19/25 at 4:43 pm to Kunu
quote:
as well as, aerate and top dress the majority of the lawn.
I wouldn't do that. The contractor who installed my zoysia said to wait 2 years before aerating which I just had done a couple of weeks ago and it's responding nicely. I'd fertilize it and just wait another month before doing anything drastic.
Posted on 5/19/25 at 9:04 pm to Trout Bandit
Thank you all for the advice. Nice to know I just need to be more patient and not hit the panic button.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News