[Redtwin]

When Zoysia is placed in high rainfall regions, with shading, with impediments to free air circulation, El Toro becomes extremely susceptible to disease.

I wonder if that's why my Empire does so well compared to some others who seem to struggle. Mine is wide open with zero shade.

 

[Greendoc]

I wonder if that's why my Empire does so well compared to some others who seem to struggle. Mine is wide open with zero shade.

I would not wonder. People with their Zoysia in full sun with no obstructions to airflow are not my clientele. At some point keeping Zoysia in a walled in yard with trees overhanging is providing hospice care for the lawn. No one is happy in the end. My recommendation when I am called about a problem with a Zoysia lawn in such a situation is not to have Zoysia at all.

 

[NEWMUDA13]

When Zoysia is placed in high rainfall regions, with shading, with impediments to free air circulation, El Toro becomes extremely susceptible to disease.

I can see where that can be an issue. And I weighed that possibility heavily into my considerations for what grass to put down. The other option I could have went with was St. Augustine. The Palmetto variety seemed to be what most of the grass suppliers carried around my area, but my research on it was that it was very susceptible to fungus. Even more so than the zoysia. Plus I don’t like the wider blade varieties of St. Augustine either, but that’s just adding my “feelings” into the mix. So I figured this zoysia was the best in between I could get. Like I said, the Bermuda that used to be in the yard was “living”. Just very thin around the edges. The only decent spot was right in the middle of the yard. So if the zoysia is just a little bit more tolerant of shade then it should look much better. Is there any fungicide options/best practices that you or anyone can recommend? Maybe limiting watering and nitrogen apps could be a step in the right direction?

 

[Greendoc]

Limit water. Do not fertilize. Mow low. PGR. Watch for Pythium and Large Patch. Under real world conditions, I do not find St Augustine in shade problematic provided it is not maintained as is suggested by certain Youtube personalities. The cultural practices followed for Zoysia work to reduce risk of disease. I find that those cultural practices get me farther on St Augustine than they do on Zoysia.

 

[NEWMUDA13]

Limit water. Do not fertilize. Mow low. PGR. Watch for Pythium and Large Patch. Under real world conditions, I do not find St Augustine in shade problematic provided it is not maintained as is suggested by certain Youtube personalities. The cultural practices followed for Zoysia work to reduce risk of disease. I find that those cultural practices get me farther on St Augustine than they do on Zoysia.

Got it. I appreciate any advice I can get!! I will definitely be sure to provide progress updates.

 

[Boortz86]

I could see where this could have fungus. It’s a very tight growing grass so it probably takes some time dry out. And in the shade even longer, giving more time for fungus to set in. I can relate to having to trim tomato plants for that. More than likely I’ll pick up some hose end sprayer fungicide from a big box store. Unless there are any suggestions for a better option?

Looks like you did a great job laying it. 6 pallets 1 guy is a lot of work. I’d recommend reading up on fungicides on this forum. You’ll need an arsenal to keep it healthy. I personally rotate between spraying clearsys and eagle20, and I’ll usually throw down a couple bags of disease ex over the season as well. My zoysia gets full sun and it I’m not preventing it fungus will come quickly.