[Nkoehn22]

I started my Zoysia yard renovation in 2015, I was skeptical about grass plugs after my Bermuda grass got overrun with weeds I decided to give zoysia plugs it a try. It's now two full years later and I couldn't be happier with my front yard. It's going so well I was able to pull plugs from the front yard and transplant to the backyard. I had the same issue with weeds over taking Bermuda in the spring. Living in southern Virginia and having shorter and warmer winters weeds get a jump on Bermuda grass. I'm done with that type of grass and a zoysia fan for life. Here are a few pictures of what it was to what it currently is!

 

[Nkoehn22]

 

[Ware]

...my Bermuda grass got overrun with weeds...
...I had the same issue with weeds over taking Bermuda in the spring...

Welcome to TLF!

With the bermuda, which pre-emergent were using, when were you applying it, and at what rate?

 

[jayhawk]

Takes patience for sure....but that's impressive - thanks for the before n after images.

I'm also 'done' with berumda

 

[Redtenchu]

Awesome! I'm glad it all worked out! How long did it take to plant all those plugs? I'm guessing you ordered them online?

 

[Iriasj2009]

Awesome!!

 

[Nkoehn22]

Yeah I bought them, from Zoysia farms in Marland. I planted the front all by myself, came in rolls of sod that were pre-cut to 1'' x 1'' inch plugs. Doing it myself I had to cut the plugs, drill the holes and plant the plugs. It took me about a month to get the entire front yard done. I also could only plant for a hour at night after work. I had to make 2-3 orders since I planted little larger plugs closer together for faster coverage. After planting they go into shock and after about a week or two you start to notice new blades starting to grow. The first year was all about establishment, and getting good root system in place. I used an all purpose plant food from Miracle Grow in spray form every 2 weeks to promote root growth and in the fall I seeded with Rye grass to help prevent soil run off when it rained hard and to help prevent weeds from growing in. The follow summer it took until late summer, early fall to get solid coverage. Now I'm in my Second full growing season, 3rd since establishment in the front and its looking great! Now its to the point where i was able to pull plugs from the front and transplant to backyard.This time I purchased a 5-1 Pro Plugger help me out and save time. the Plugs are 2'' in diameter and I have the option to do 2'', or 4'' in depth. The plugger comes with two metal rings to adjust the size. In the tube it will fit 15-20 plugs, once its full just flip its outside down to empty. I also purchased a 2 ft long auger bit that attaches to my drill. Honestly the part that took the longest was to cut up the plugs from sod and pulling the plugs for the back. When I did the backyard I had a few friends come over and help out, and we got half the backyard done. The following two Saturdays I finished the backyard, and that was in early July. Now I'm almost two months along and the plugs are doing well, but i'm now consistently pulling weeds out. From Crabgrass, Nuts Edge and some sort of grassy weed. I'll post a picture of them ASAP. Can anyone help me treat these weeds. Whats the earliest i can spray for weeds without hurting the plugs?

Thanks,

Nathan In Virginia

 

[Nkoehn22]

Can anyone help me with identification and how to kill these weeds off without hurting my new plugs?

 

[Nkoehn22]

Thinking of purchasing this roller soon to help me dominate the neighborhood!
Nathan in Va

 

[dfw_pilot]

Living in southern Virginia and having shorter and warmer winters weeds get a jump on Bermuda grass.

I'm not sure I follow. With good input from a pre-emergent herbicide and a quality post emergent herbicide, you're weeds won't stand a chance, no matter what type of grass you grow. Zoysia may be in my future some day too, but due to shade, not weeds.

Either way, the Zoysia looks great and welcome to TLF!

 

[jayhawk]

hmmm....I don't have first hand experience with the rotary and striper. I know I'd work well a cool season grass as they are easiest to stripe. However, I'm not sure the rotary and roller are heavy enough on a warm season.

Have you considered a homeowner (McLane, Cal Trimmer, TruCut) reel with a roller, that'd take domination up a level (no shortage of examples in the forums) and your Meyers would thank you too.

 

[Nkoehn22]

I'll look into that, but the roller I posed pictures on is 20-25 pounds and has gotten good reviews. I would like a reel mower but they're to expensive for me. Raising two kids, daycare expense and everything else that's not really in the budget right now.

 

[Nkoehn22]

dfw_pilot we had a milder winter here in Virginia, and I put down pre-emergent herbicide to late in the spring and was doomed. Now a few weeks ago I did put my first pre-emergent herbicide down in Scott's Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer. and watered on right away and will do again this fall.

 

[dfw_pilot]

Ok, that makes more sense. It sounded like you thought it was the bermuda's fault. :mrgreen:

As you now know, the key on pre-e is to get it down at the right time, and not a day too late. FYI, I've had poor results with Halts, but Dimension has done very well. Another good option is Prodiamine, but it's a WDG, meaning you need a sprayer for it, not a spreader. Let us know how the Halts does.

 

[Colonel K0rn]

Can anyone help me with identification and how to kill these weeds off without hurting my new plugs?

This is goosegrass. Sulfentrazone will do the trick.

 

[Nkoehn22]

This past weekend I applied Sedge Ender Weed Killer In a small 2' x 2' test area in my backyard that I plugged in early July. I posted some of the weeds above. I'm hopeful that this will help control these weeds these weeds until my Zoysia fills in.
Has anyone used this product and been very successful with it?

 

[Still learnin]

How many plugs per sq/ft did you plant initially?

I am considering starting either zoysia or Bermuda in part of my yard and slowly doing the rest. I have over 36k sq/ft so it may take a bit!

 

[Nkoehn22]

It started out with 3,000 plugs for the front yard. I bought them from zoysia farms out of Maryland. They come is 2ft pieces of sod scored in 1"x1" I was need up having thenpligs be a little larger than that. I ended up planting about 5,000 in the front yard. About 6" apart. I started mid July and ended mid August. The plugs go into shock for a week or two and turn brown, then come back with new growth. Just water it good twice a day for the first few weeks. I also used miracle grows all purpose planet food granular form to hose sprayer and sprayed it down every two weeks. If you have the time, and patients it's well worth it in the end. Zoysia farms also sells an auger bit that's about 3ft long they can go into your cordless drill and It's about $40. It made a huge difference planting, goes by much faster. I've battled with seed and it just doesn't take as good as the plugs. The first year its roots, the second year it sends out runners to fill in, 3rd year it takes off and is carpet thick with little to no weeds. This grass chokes it out over time. This past July I just took plugs from the front and planted them in the back. These are a little larger 2" and root quickly and send out runners within a month. I'll post pictures of the current status within a day or two. I also bought a 5 in 1 plugger that has many uses. I was able to pull 15-25 plugs in this tube at a time depending on 2" or 4" size. After in was done planting I filled in the holes with topsoil, one month later you couldn't tell plugs were pulled.

Nathan in VA

 

[Iriasj2009]

This is impressive!

 

[Nkoehn22]

Thanks, lots of hard work went into it! Current Pics as of Saturday September 23, 2017