It is recommended to water less frequently but apply more water at one time to saturate the soil to promote deeper rooting of the newly established turfgrass. Fertilizing To look their best, zoysiagrasses require frequent fertilization. Periodic soil testing should be conducted every 2 to 3 years as the basis for major applications of lime and fertilization. This will help maintain the proper soil pH between the desired range of 6.0 to 6.5 and keep the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium levels at recommended levels. For minimum maintenance, it is recommended to apply between 2 to 4 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of zoysiagrass lawn per year.
Potassium helps turfgrasses survive stress.
Zoysiagrasses growing on sandy soils may need 1 pound of potassium per 1,000 square feet of lawn area per year. September is a good time to apply potassium to improve winter survival and cold tolerance. Table 1 . As with the minimum maintenance program, apply potassium in the fall to improve the winter survival and cold tolerance of zoysiagrasses. A reel mower is recommended for the highest-quality appearance.