Here's the most updated and accurate (IMO) hardiness zone map. Enter your zip code in here. If you're at least a zone 6, you're good to go.

https://www.arborday.org/webtools/hortzones/registration.cfm

Now, duration of winter cold though does play a part, as well as precipitation. Small parts of Cleveland OH are a zone 7, but that's not the same as a zone 7 in Oklahoma City. If you go weeks on end below freezing in winter, then you may risk some winterkill, even with zoysia. It also doesn't like excessive rainfall and/or poorly draining soils. If you do want to try it, just know that you'll need to probably apply and rotate fungicide once a month, which will be another investment your wife might not love .

 

@andymac7

All good info…thanks! So it's more prone to fungus? What is your weather like going Bermuda and zoysia?

 

@andymac7

All good info…thanks! So it's more prone to fungus? What is your weather like going Bermuda and zoysia?

You're welcome! I'm sure others can chime in and give even better advice. Namely, @Greendoc.

My climate is upper transition zone, (7 according to the ArborDay map). Low elevation, humid/warm to hot summers, pretty cold winters with usually 1 or 2 nights in the single digits. Fungus is always an issue for us due to high humidity. I chose Yukon Bermuda because it's the most cold hardy seeded variety. It took a pretty big hit however this year of Spring Dead Spot fungus. I would advise against bermuda where you are, but heck, they grow Northbridge/Latitude 36 in Columbus, zone 6, so if you're just a little crazy like me, lol, go with something super hardy like Tahoma 31 or Yukon.

I would still choose zoysia however, as it's just naturally more hardy than bermuda. But yes it can be prone to fungus, if conditions are right, as with any grass type. IMO, making sure to site it properly is vital in the beginning- as in making sure to NOT have any standing water, if possible. That far north, lawn rust might also be an issue if you get a cool/wet Spring. I got a bit one year in my Zoysia, but Myclo (Eagle fungicide) took care of it.

One positive for zoysia is that you really don't need to fertilize it much (if any) once established.

 

@andymac7 Any idea what zoysia would do best? Cold hardiness?

 

@andymac7 Any idea what zoysia would do best? Cold hardiness?

I seeded Zenith Zoysia, which is rated high in cold tolerance, and it's the best way to establish Zoysia other than sod, IMO. Plugs take longer to fill in for sure. Here's what it's looking like right now, even after a really heavy downpour a couple days ago. I put down Scott's Disease EX 2 weeks ago, which improved it significantly, after I was a bit late with my fungicide this year.

 

If you're ok with plugs, you could try innovation zoysia. I've found it to be pretty low maintenance, somewhat shade tolerant and to spread relatively rapidly. It's marketed as cold tolerant, but I can't say for sure since our winters here in Virginia are mild. Todd valley farms ships them.

 

I'd look at Meyer re cold tolerance since I see it in ks, mo but since I don't have to worry about it ....there may be others I'm just not studied up on that aspect.

 

I live in Central Jersey, zone 7a. The town I live in has many zoysia lawns, including myself and neighbors (Meyer Z52). It performs quite well here May through October. Green up is usually mid April, some years earlier if its a early / warm spring, some years late April if it is unusually cool.

If you (and your neighbors) can handle the dormancy period it makes a lovely yard in mid spring through mid fall. You can plug it or sprig it (sod will be hard to come by in your area).

Innovation Zoysia is equally good in many respects, however, the plots I have run with it are about 2 weeks later in spring green up compared to meyer. That may not sound like much, but when you are dormant 6 months out of the year every week counts in the growing season. But yes, innovation is a slightly finer blade and slightly darker color.

The surrounding homes have had meyer since the 1980s and there has been no substantial winter kill. Meyer can survive temps down to -30 based on my previous research and given the harsh winters we get here from time to time, I think that proves the theory.

If you are hell bent on seeding to hasten the establishment process, zenith would be an option, but I cant vouch for it in this area - haven't seen that in person here yet.

 

Thanks for all the great info so far! I'm looking more into Zenith right now. I can handle the dormancy period as mine looks dormant right now :lol:

 

I have heard The Lawn Care Nut reference zoysia lawns in the Chicago area. Places used to mail-order sprigs.
I think it was mentioned in passing, don't think you can find a video from him on the topic.
Two years ago I was laid up for a few months and really went down the YouTube lawn care rabbit hole.....

 

I didn't get the sprigs @BobLovesGrass but I did buy 100 Zoysia plugs to trial a test area. Do I start a journal for this? :lol:

 

I didn't get the sprigs @BobLovesGrass but I did buy 100 Zoysia plugs to trial a test area. Do I start a journal for this? :lol:

Yea, I think Zenith will offer you the fastest establishment period since you can plug it, sprig it, and seed it. Even the fastest cultivars of Zoysia are extremely slow. Crowding out a 2000 sq ft existing lawn with meyer plugs at 12" will take a minimum of 3 to 5 years in your zone.

Killing off the existing lawn and doing a combo of seeding zenith along with plugs may be your best option.

I think the density of meyer is slightly better, but zenith should be close and allow you to enjoy something relatively quickly (by zoysia standards).

 

I didn't get the sprigs @BobLovesGrass but I did buy 100 Zoysia plugs to trial a test area. Do I start a journal for this? :lol:

Yea, I think Zenith will offer you the fastest establishment period since you can plug it, sprig it, and seed it. Even the fastest cultivars of Zoysia are extremely slow. Crowding out a 2000 sq ft existing lawn with meyer plugs at 12" will take a minimum of 3 to 5 years in your zone.

Killing off the existing lawn and doing a combo of seeding zenith along with plugs may be your best option.

I think the density of meyer is slightly better, but zenith should be close and allow you to enjoy something relatively quickly (by zoysia standards).

Good to know. I did read it is a slow spreader. I'm going to put it in with my KBG/PRG stand from 4-5 years ago and see how that goes. I don't believe I need to glypho anything rather just mow low. Looking forward to this "experiment".

 

Bought the plugs from here . Liked the way they grow/harvest and they're fairly close to me for shipping in Maryland.

 

Anything that states that it grows slowly and needs infrequent mowing is just not true. It should say that it spreads slowly but needs to be mowed 2 x per week. I love my Myer Zoysia but that claim that it doesn't need to be mowed frequently is not true. Even regulated, I mow every 4 - 5 days.

 

Anything that states that it grows slowly and needs infrequent mowing is just not true. It should say that it spreads slowly but needs to be mowed 2 x per week. I love my Myer Zoysia but that claim that it doesn't need to be mowed frequently is not true. Even regulated, I mow every 4 - 5 days.

I'll be okay mowing as needed. In the spring with my current mix I mow sometimes every 3 days.

 

Anything that states that it grows slowly and needs infrequent mowing is just not true. It should say that it spreads slowly but needs to be mowed 2 x per week. I love my Myer Zoysia but that claim that it doesn't need to be mowed frequently is not true. Even regulated, I mow every 4 - 5 days.

+1 This. Zoysia is just as fast of a vertical grower as bermuda, or even faster, in peak growing season, especially if you put down any N at all. It can even turn a neon green if you're not careful. It's maybe about 1/4 the lateral grower or less that bermuda is, however.

 

Anything that states that it grows slowly and needs infrequent mowing is just not true. It should say that it spreads slowly but needs to be mowed 2 x per week. I love my Myer Zoysia but that claim that it doesn't need to be mowed frequently is not true. Even regulated, I mow every 4 - 5 days.

+1 This. Zoysia is just as fast of a vertical grower as bermuda, or even faster, in peak growing season, especially if you put down any N at all. It can even turn a neon green if you're not careful. It's maybe about 1/4 the lateral grower or less that bermuda is, however.

Is lateral growth pretty slow. Not that I'm in a hurry. I should get the plugs this Saturday and hope to get them in the ground the same day. I've been fairly bored with my lawn and am looking forward to something new :thumbup:

 

Anything that states that it grows slowly and needs infrequent mowing is just not true. It should say that it spreads slowly but needs to be mowed 2 x per week. I love my Myer Zoysia but that claim that it doesn't need to be mowed frequently is not true. Even regulated, I mow every 4 - 5 days.

+1 This. Zoysia is just as fast of a vertical grower as bermuda, or even faster, in peak growing season, especially if you put down any N at all. It can even turn a neon green if you're not careful. It's maybe about 1/4 the lateral grower or less that bermuda is, however.

Is lateral growth pretty slow. Not that I'm in a hurry. I should get the plugs this Saturday and hope to get them in the ground the same day. I've been fairly bored with my lawn and am looking forward to something new :thumbup:

There are ways to speed up lateral growth a little bit (light top-dressing, garden weasel, fertilizer), but yes, zoysia in general is a pretty slow lateral grower. I think the fastest might be El Torro? This is why seeding is the fastest way to get it established. At your location, and since it's already mid July, your plugs will spend most of their time just getting roots down and getting used to their new home. Don't expect too many runners venturing out before your first frost arrives, which I'm guessing is maybe early to mid October?

 

+1 This. Zoysia is just as fast of a vertical grower as bermuda, or even faster, in peak growing season, especially if you put down any N at all. It can even turn a neon green if you're not careful. It's maybe about 1/4 the lateral grower or less that bermuda is, however.

Is lateral growth pretty slow. Not that I'm in a hurry. I should get the plugs this Saturday and hope to get them in the ground the same day. I've been fairly bored with my lawn and am looking forward to something new :thumbup:

There are ways to speed up lateral growth a little bit (light top-dressing, garden weasel, fertilizer), but yes, zoysia in general is a pretty slow lateral grower. I think the fastest might be El Torro? This is why seeding is the fastest way to get it established. At your location, and since it's already mid July, your plugs will spend most of their time just getting roots down and getting used to their new home. Don't expect too many runners venturing out before your first frost arrives, which I'm guessing is maybe early to mid October?

Yeah mid October is pretty typical now for first frost. It definitely feels as though it is later each year. I'm just hopping the plugs live and if all goes well I'll get a couple more trays next year and continue on.

 

I wouldn't do Meyer. That's Gen 1 zoysia. Can look really good reel mowed but the new varieties are much more attractive imo. Dont overlook Tahoma31 bermuda. Very cold hearty and IMO the current cream of the crop bermuda hybrids short of the dwarf varieties cut really low

 

I wouldn't do Meyer. That's Gen 1 zoysia. Can look really good reel mowed but the new varieties are much more attractive imo. Dont overlook Tahoma31 bermuda. Very cold hearty and IMO the current cream of the crop bermuda hybrids short of the dwarf varieties cut really low

I ordered zenith zoysia plugs which should be here tomorrow. I did look at the Tahoma 31 but wasn't sure. I'm only going to plant a 10x10 square for now. Please don't tell me zoysia is gly tolerant!

 

I wouldn't do Meyer. That's Gen 1 zoysia. Can look really good reel mowed but the new varieties are much more attractive imo. Dont overlook Tahoma31 bermuda. Very cold hearty and IMO the current cream of the crop bermuda hybrids short of the dwarf varieties cut really low

He's located in PA, zone 6. The only varities which won't be at risk of winter kill are:
* Meyer
* Innovation
* Zenith

The density of meyer may only be outdone by el toro. It takes over everything in time.

 

Plugs came.

 

And they're in...











Glad I bought the garden auger. That made quick work for the holes vs my pro plugger.

A little starter fert and water.