Synthetic Grass or Zoysia Grass
Before deciding to replace a natural grass lawn with synthetic grass it is best to consider the alternative options to the grass you have previously tried. Zoysia grass may be the natural turfgrass that will solve your patchy lawn problems… In past articles here at Synthetic Grass Info we have taken a look at the various reasons why you might replace your natural grass lawn with a synthetic grass lawn. It’s reasonable to want a thick covering of grass in the entire yard and when you have tried to grow lawns and failed miserably it may seem that the only answer is an artificial grass covering.
For some people and in some situations artificial grass may be the perfect choice, for others the decision may still be a difficult one to make until all reasonable options have been considered. There may be one more type of natural alternative that you haven’t tried that might be worth more than casual consideration. It is called Zoysia grass and it is a particularly hardy type of grass that produces particularly attractive lawns. If you value the idea of a natural ground covering you should take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of laying Zoysia in your backyard. Advantages Of Using Zoysia grass Zoysia is a particularly hardy type of grass that thrives in hot conditions yet it is also tolerant to cool temperatures, shade and salt spray.
The fact that the grass will grow in the shade solves one of the biggest lawn growing problems. Zoysia grass is slow growing and so it will not require mowing nearly as regularly as other grass varieties. Once Zoysia grass has become established it forms a dense lawn that forms a uniform and attractive looking lawn. This density will crowd out other plants such as weeds. Zoysia grass is a natural product and many people prefer the idea that their yard is covered with a traditional lawn rather than a man made product that many people equate with an outdoor carpet. The grass will grow in a wide variety of soil conditions.
Disadvantages Of Using Zoysia grass The slow growth habit that features as one of the advantages of using Zoysia grass is also a disadvantage because it takes such a long time for the grass to become established. In fact, it can take up to 3 years for a Zoysia grass lawn to completely cover a yard. If parts of the lawn are damaged for any reason it will take quite a long time for the grass to recover. Zoysia grass, while not requiring as frequent lawn mowing, requires other regular maintenance tasks. One of these is dethatching because of the heavy thatch that the grass forms over time. Zoysia grass requires more water than other warm-season grasses maintain its growth during dry periods. The density of the grass growth can also be listed as a disadvantage because Zoysia is considered by some as an invasive grass. Not only will it crowd out all other plants in the lawn, it will continue to move into any area where there is room. Cool climates will not be kind to Zoysia, so it will not be suitable for planting in the northern states of the United States. The grass has a tendency to turn brown and look dead when the temperature drops. Although it greens up again in the warmer months, the dead looking grass will not appeal to those already considering installing synthetic grass for year round green.
Zoysia Grass or Synthetic Grass? So which is it? Is the option still synthetic grass? The problem of dead patches in the yard may be overcome however it may take a number of years before you get to that point. Lawn mowing will still be required as will watering the grass just not quite as frequently. It’s worth pointing out, too, that once you have decided to grow Zoysia in the yard you have got it for life. When it becomes established it is a very difficult plant to remove.
