The best fertilizer for Zoysia grass. This grass is native to Asia particularly China, Japan, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Zoysia grass or Zoysia Japonica does well in a warm-season.
If you live in California or another warm region of the US, Zoysia grass or Zoysia Japonica will look at its best display and thriving well.
This grass handles traffic, cold, humidity, shade, and drought well enough to thrive, which makes this grass a versatile lawn grass.
Even though Zoysia grass or Zoysia Japonica requires low fertilization practices, the grass spread both above and below the ground. With this fact, Zoysia grass has a denser lawn.
However, Zoysia grass or Zoysia Japonica still requires fertilization to grows lush. You have to choose the best Fertilizer Zoysia grass to achieve a thriving Zoysia grass lawn.
You should know the best Zoysia grass fertilizer
Zoysia grass (Zoysia Japonica) is an excellent choice for countless lawns. To thrive well with outstanding and beautiful appearance, you have to know how to select the specific or particular fertilizer or the best Zoysia grass fertilizer.
When considering a fertilizer for Zoysia grass, there are several factors to evaluate. The first and most crucial factor for Zoysia grass is to know the right pH level of the soil (between 6.0 and 6.5).
You can do your soil test using a soil test kit, or you can ask your local agency to test your soil pH level. It is also possible to check the soil yourself with a testing kit.
Typical fertilizer uses three base ingredients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium or NPK formulation. It indicates the percentage of each element available in the packages of your fertilizer.
1. Nitrogen
Nitrogen in the soil is the most critical element for plant establishment. Nitrogen is needed in significant amounts, and the soil needs the most to avoid a deficiency.
Nitrogen is a substantial material of Chlorophyll and creates the green color of Zoysia grass. It is responsible for lush growth and the establishment of an attractive lawn.
It is considered as the most abundant element on earth, but every plant can not use it until it is added as fertilizer in the soil.
An over-application of nitrogen can result in rapid growth and cause to be less root system. Too much nitrogen can cause plant death, and the leave gets burned. On the other hand, a Zoysia grass lawn with a nitrogen deficiency will result in discoloration and start to turn yellow.
2. Phosphorus
If you have a Zoysia grass lawn, you should know of how much phosphorus you are applying in your fertilizer. Too much phosphorus potentially resulting in pollution to watersheds and waterways.
Phosphorus is one of the leading fertilizer elements, and some phosphorus is needed for flowers and roots. This ingredient moves slowly through the soil, does not require too much, and there is often an excess.
If soil test levels indicate a low level of phosphorus, Zoysia grass density and growth may decline. To ensure the phosphorus levels are precise, you need to take a soil test every three or four years.
If the test indicates a high level in phosphorus, no need to add more to avoid environmental damage. A balanced level of phosphorus will assure great shoot and leaf growth, that will enhance Zoysia grass density, which will, in turn, reduce pollution and water runoff.
3. Potassium
Potassium is one of the ingredients that Zoysia grass requires to grow. Stem and leaves development and growth are facilitated by potassium. It helps the process of photosynthesis or the process by which Zoysia grass makes food using the sun, the air, and water with the help of green Chlorophyll.
Potassium makes your Zoysia grass healthier by raising its immunity. Potassium also strengthens the water-carrying system of Zoysia grass. The strength of the system should be increased to make sure that all parts receive enough water and maintain its health.
Zoysia grass without enough potassium will look yellowish caused by lack of water.
Potassium takes part in root development. Roots collect all the minerals and water from the soil. Roots hold the Zoysia grass firmly in the ground.
Potassium makes the cell walls of your Zoysia grass stronger.
Zoysia grass does not need as much fertilizer as other grasses. It is recommended and safe to choose one with a lower NPK formulation (for example, 16-4-8). A lower NPK formulation is also suitable, but you have to apply the fertilizer more frequently.
Commonly, other grass types are going to require more potassium and nitrogen. Zoysia grass prefers a bit more nitrogen, but not as much potassium and phosphorus.
Top 10 best fertilizer for Zoysia grass comparison chart
[wptb id="5829" not found ]List of the best Zoysia grass fertilizer reviews
1. The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer Zoysia with Humic DG
This 16-4-8 fertilizer Zoysia is a regular fertilizer for grass by Anderson brand that is ideal for your Zoysia grass. The NPK formulation for this complete fertilizer for Zoysia grass is 16-4-8.
The 16-4-8 fertilizer Zoysia comes in a forty-pound bag, or you can choose the eighteen-pound bag. You can use this fertilizer with less at the same square-footage compared to other brands and with even distribution.
This slow-release formula has a higher nitrogen amount and strength to make sure that you have more particles for every square foot. More significant nitrogen means your Zoysia grass is going to be beautiful and vigorous.
The formula can feed your Zoysia grass for sixty days or two months. You can save money for using less but can make your Zoysia grass looks greener and healthy.
This 16-4-8 fertilizer Zoysia consists of Humic DG to refine the soil and help the Zoysia grass processes and absorb the nutrients much better. You can expect your Zoysia grass to thrive well with this 16-4-8 fertilizer, even without an ideal soil condition.
2. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass
If you are a beginner and about to plant Zoysia grass on your lawn, you should consider a starter grass food for it. You can use this fertilizer product (Scotts brand) with your new Zoysia grass grows thirty-five percent quicker and seventy percent thicker compared to unfed grass.
You can start your new Zoysia grass to the best start with faster root and blade establishment. The NPK formulation is 24-25-4, which is the right fit for new Zoysia grass that needs more nitrogen and phosphorus than potassium.
You can expect that this Scott’s starter fertilizer does well for new Zoysia grass. You can also apply it on Zoysia grass that has already been matured or growing or in the reseeding process.
If you do not have fertilizer spreader, you have to own one to spread the fertilizer fast, easy, carefully, and thoroughly. Applying one fifteen pound bag of this fertilizer product can cover 5,000 square feet.
3. Advanced 16-4-8 Fertilizer Balanced NPK – Lawn Food Natural Liquid Fertilizer
The Simple Lawn Solutions 16-4-8 fertilizer product is a complete food for your Zoysia grass and works well for any grass type. This 16-4-8 fertilizer product consists of essential macronutrients.
The NPK formulation is 16-4-8 and comes in liquid form for your lawn. The formulation is derived from seaweed, fish and other organic, natural ingredients.
The 16-4-8 fertilizer is safe to use because it does not contain harsh chemicals and will not harm humans or animals. All you have to do is to spray the organic liquid fertilizer evenly over your Zoysia grass lawn.
Thirty ounces of the product can cover up to 3,200 square feet of the Zoysia grass lawn. The 16-4-8 fertilizer product is an excellent choice if you want to fertilize your St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, Centipede grass, and Ryegrass.
4. Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer
The Super Juice fertilizer is an all-in-one lawn fertilizer. This fertilizer can cover one acre with just one bag.
It comes in a dry form, and you can add water to apply. The ingredients are balanced and complete. The NPK formulation is 14-2-4 and can cover two acres of lawn with half strength.
You do not have to worry about any biowaste or waste products because it does not have one. You can store this fertilizer for next season in a dry place, and the bag is foil-lined and resealable.
Other ingredients including magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc that will help the Zoysia grass healthy and green.
5. Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Restore, Lawn Fertilizer
This fertilizer product only has nitrogen and some iron, and it is formulated for the greening process. If you want to have a greener and healthy Zoysia grass lawn, this is the product you have been searching for.
There is no chance that this product will burn your Zoysia grass because it does not contain salt or phosphorus, and one twenty-five pound bag can cover up to 5,000 square feet.
This product is safe and only contains plant-based nutrients without bio-solids or poultry waste. No manure means no odors.
It is safe for animals and humans to be on the Zoysia grass lawn. You can apply this fertilizer for new seeding and repair a current lawn.
6. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food – Lawn Fertilizer Plus Iron Supplement
This Green Max works fast in just seventy-two hours to make greener Zoysia grass. The ingredients have enough nutrients for the Zoysia grass lawn.
Green Max has nitrogen in the mixture and iron with a low amount of potassium and phosphorus. The iron role is as a supplement that is effective with Zoysia, fescue, and bluegrass. Iron helps these grasses to stay deep green during the summer months. This mineral helps control moss.
So this fertilizer is best used as a supplement after the lawn is fertilized. First, test the soil, and if your lawn does not have a disease or a deficiency in potassium and phosphorus, you do not need this fertilizer.
A thicker and greener lawn is the purpose of this product. This goal means that the lawn is thickened and stop weeds from establishing.
7. Simple Lawn Solution Commercial Grade Lawn Energizer- Grass Micronutrient Booster
This fertilizer by Simple Lawn Solution is a commercial-grade product and is designed for use on your home’s lawn also. You can expect to get maximum health, color, and growth.
You Zoysia grass lawn will receive all the nutrients and vitamins needed. You can consider this fertilizer as a booster treatment to cover 3,200 square feet with just one bottle.
There is the included hose-end sprayer with the ready-to-use bottle. You can boost your Zoysia grass lawn at any point in the Zoysia grass growing season.
This product’s main features chelated micronutrients, nitrogen, and iron blend. The Chelates micronutrients made the iron available to the soil that is applied to alkaline soils.
Besides working for Zoysia grass, this fertilizer can be used on Bermuda grass, centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, bluegrass, and palmetto grass.
8. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food Northern
Scott’s fertilizer product can strengthen and feed your Zoysia grass lawn to prevent any adverse issues. Scott’s brand is well-known for a variety of fertilizer products and other products to provide the grass for growing beautiful and lush.
It is listed as 32-0-4 NPK formulation. This means that it has a high amount of nitrogen with a small amount of potassium without phosphorus. With this formulation, the application of this fertilizer can build strong and deep roots.
This product can help the lawn absorb more water and nutrients. The fertilizer product uses the all-in-one particle technology.
You can apply it on any grass type, including Zoysia grass. The fertilizer product by Scott’s can cover about 15,000 square feet of the Zoysia grass lawn.
9. Simple Lawn Solution Ultimate 3-18-18 NPK- Lawn Food Natural Liquid Fertilizer
This fertilizer product by Simple Lawn Solution can be applied on any grass type, including Zoysia grass, Bermuda grass, Centipede grass, and others. The NPK formulation is listed as 3-18-18, low in nitrogen with more phosphorus and potassium.
You can use this fertilizer to fix your Zoysia grass lawn if the grass has a disease and is not growing well. You do not need to worry about this liquid fertilizer because the ingredients are organic and natural; it is suitable for your lawn’s health.
Your Zoysia grass lawn will not be stressed out because there are no chemicals in the ingredient. It is safe for animals and humans to be on the Zoysia grass after the fertilizer application.
You can expect to have the roots grow stronger, and the grass is healthier. This is the goal that is to provide important vitamins and nutrients for the grass to last a long time.
After you test the soil and it has a potassium or phosphorus deficiency, you can fix it with this fertilizer.
10. Greenview Fairway Formula Lawn Fertilizer
This GreenView Fairway Formula Lawn Fertilizer has 27-0-5 NPK formulation, which means high in nitrogen with zero phosphorus and a lower potassium amount. High amount nitrogen means this fertilizer goal is to toughen, greens and thickens your Zoysia grass lawn.
The slow-release nitrogen can continuously feed the soil for up to three months. You can use this formulation any time when your lawn is actively growing.
Because this fertilizer does not contain phosphorus, it will not burn your Zoysia grass. This fertilizer product can be used on any grass. It works by promoting a deep green turf color with lower grass clippings.
One 33 pounds bag can cover 10,000 square feet of Zoysia grass lawn.
11. Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
When you live in the Florida area, you can apply this 6-4-0 fertilizer on your Zoysia grass with just one bag for 6,000 square feet. If you do not live in Florida, one bag can cover 2,500 square feet of lawn. This Milorganite brand features a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
You can apply the Miloganite without the risk of burning your Zoysia grass. The fertilizer contains iron that helps your Zoysia grass achieve a beautiful dark green color.
If you want to achieve the best result, you need to apply on the best Milorganite schedule. You will not waste money by applying it too frequently.
You should fertilize your Zoysia grass four times annually. If you decide to fertilize once a year, early fall is the best time to fertilize with plenty of nutrients to grow after a long winter.
Milorganite schedule for Zoysia grass or warm season grasses application (outside Florida)
The fertilizer for Zoysia grass or warm-season grasses is organic, so it is considered safe around your human and pets. This 6-4-0 fertilizer product is used on golf courses because these lawns have to be lush and cut low.
The slow-release formula does not require to be put into water. You can use a spreader machine to sow along the Zoysia grass. The instructions for you who live in Florida are not the same as anywhere else.
Zoysia grass fertilization time
Having the right fertilization schedule for Zoysia grass year after year can be difficult to do in some colder region of the US. Because of this, it is essential to check temperatures and apply fertilizer based on that year’s climate.
Watch the weather in late winter or early spring.
1. January to April
Before you fertilize your Zoysia grass, you should test the soil. During these months, it is the best time to test the soil.
Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied where the Zoysia grass is located along the coast, without frost. If you have new Zoysia grass that the growth is encouraged by fertilization in the early spring, it can damage the lawn.
2. May to August
Zoysia grass grows best at a pH of 6 to 6.5, and you should add lime or sulfur-based on a soil test. If the soil test indicates a higher pH, lower it by using sulfur.
Apply five pounds of sulfur per 1000 square feet of turf. Keep in mind to apply sulfur when the air temperatures are below 75 °Fahrenheit. Recheck the soil in 90 days and see the changes.
It could take a longer time for a pH change to happen.
Your Zoysia grass lawns should get at least two to four pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
3. September to December
Do not apply nitrogen in these months. Potassium can be applied to enhance winter hardiness only when the result of a soil test shows insufficient levels of potassium. Apply 1 pound of potassium per 1,000 square feet four to six weeks before the frost.
How to fertilize your Zoysia grass lawn
Zoysia grass lawn will require a restrained amount of fertilizer during the growing stage. The goal is to provide enough nutrients for vibrant green color, healthy growth, and not to encourage dense growth.
Dense growth will make it hard to mow and may promote thatch. If you give more than the recommended amount of fertilizer, the Zoysia grass will only grow faster, and you will force you to mow frequently.
The most efficient way to fertilize the Zoysia grass lawn is to use the granular fertilizers available in ten to fifty-pound bags. Liquid fertilizers work well too, but they are difficult to apply precisely. You will require twice the amount compared to granular fertilizer.
How often to fertilize Zoysia grass lawn
Laying Zoysia grass sod
After you purchase Zoysia sod, it is recommended that you clear the area of old vegetation, including weeds and old grass. You can apply herbicide to get rid of weeds.
The area should also be cleared of tree branches or stones. Till the soil to a minimum of one inch deep, and to six inches deep.
You can rent a rototiller for a more extensive Zoysia grass lawn to make quick work of the area and break up any compacted soil while uprooting debris and vegetation.
For the best results, the Zoysia sod should be laid in a pattern that staggers the seams. Keeping the seams tight will aid the look and prevent weeds from growing.
It would be best if you worked on walkways or rounded flower beds to set the curves and allow for any cutting. A sharp stainless knife is essential for cutting in pieces and around curved garden edges.
It would be beneficial when there are people to help! The amount of Zoysia sod to lay can wear you down over time when lifting tens or hundreds of pieces.
A wheelbarrow can be very helpful and will transport the Zoysia sod from the pallet to where the sod’s location will be laid. Once the Zoysia sod is laid, water the lawn thoroughly.
An initial soak of the Zoysia sod is crucial for aiding it to adapt to its new home. A light watering for about fifteen to twenty minutes once a day for two weeks is enough!
Do not overwater the Zoysia grass lawn. Zoysia grass will not be happy in the wet areas. Overwatering is a quick way to damage a new Zoysia sod.
