May 13,2018
the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Ridgewood NJ, as the weather begins to turn, Ridgewood Water would like get through the summer with no additional water restrictions. As a reminder, two-day per week irrigation has been made permanent year round for conservation purposes. Please ensure that all irrigation complies with the following:
Odd numbered addresses on Tuesday & Saturday
Even numbered addresses on Wednesday & Sunday
No irrigation is permitted between the hours of 10:00am and 6:00pm
Automatic system use permitted only between 3:00am and 7:00am
If you are looking for a hardy, drought-resistant lawn that requires little or no maintenance? Then perhaps you would like to try growing Zoysiagrass rather than traditional lawn grass. This thick, hardy grass not only chokes out weeds, but it requires less mowing, watering and fertilizing once it has been established in the lawn. What is Zoysiagrass? Zoysia is a rhizomatous, warm-season grass that holds up well to a myriad of conditions, including foot traffic. In fact, with its tough stems and leaves, zoysiagrass has the uncanny ability to heal itself quite effectively when trod upon. Although zoysia generally thrives in full sun, it can tolerate shade. Zoysiagrass has the ability to remain alive in conditions that most other grasses would perish in. Their root system is amongst the deepest for grasses and adapts easily to numerous soil types, from sand to clay. However, there is a downside. Zoysiagrass is very susceptible to cold conditions and is, therefore, best suited to warm climates. In cooler areas, zoysiagrass will turn brown and unless or until warm conditions return, this grass will lay dormant.
According to Rutgers University ( https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs521/ ) Zoysia Grass is not a “miracle” grass as some ads tend to portray. However, zoysiagrass has some distinct advantages that make it useful for lawns in some situations. Test plantings, trials, and observations of zoysiagrass have been made in New Jersey and nearby states for more than 25 years. This fact sheet is designed to summarize present knowledge on the desirability, use, and culture of zoysiagrass. In part, the decision to use or not to use zoysiagrass involves personal preference on its brown winter color. Before purchasing or planting zoysiagrass, become familiar with the characteristics of a zoysiagrass lawn during the different seasons of the year. Consider these advantages and disadvantages before deciding on its use:
Advantages of Zoysiagrass
Grows especially well during the hot summer months.
Produces a thick, dense, and cushiony turf.
Prevents and controls crabgrass and summer weeds because of its thick growth.
Has a pleasing green color during the hot summer months when it is more difficult to maintain an attractive appearance of the cool-season grasses.
Withstands close mowing (1/2 to 1 inch).
Grows in most types of soil with proper management.
Withstands wear and tear during the summer.
Can survive severe heat stress.
Tolerates low fertility once it is established.
Requires less water than most cool-season turfgrasses.
Disadvantages of Zoysiagrass
Loses its green color and becomes brown and straw colored about mid-October. This color remains until about mid-May of the following spring. In contrast, cool-season grasses usually have good green color for 8 months or longer during the season. Even in mid-winter in New Jersey, cool-season grasses have some green color.
Requires vegetative establishment by propagation of stolons or plugs.
Establishes slowly. Under ideal conditions, it may cover in one season. Normally, 2 to 3 years are required. When plugged or sprigged into an existing lawn, complete establishment may require 5 or more years.
Tends to have more winter annual weed problems than those occurring in cool-season turf.
Can be difficult to eliminate, once established, and may be a nuisance around plant beds.
May be injured severely, while dormant, from persistent winter traffic.
Becomes flammable when brown and straw colored, and may be a fire hazard when allowed to grow tall near wooden buildings.
Requires regular mowing in summer for an attractive appearance, because of its tough and dense-growth characteristics.
Is subject to rust and fairy ring, but inclined to have less disease than most turfgrasses. Occasionally, summer patch disease has caused serious problems.
Does not grow well in shady areas.
