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Zoysia Grass Not Well Adapted in North Dakota

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Bluegrass, Creeping Red Fescue and Fairway Crested Wheatgrass have long been the standard turfgrasses for this area. Beginning about 1952, Meyer Zoysia, a warm season grass, was introduced for sunny areas. Within four years, excessive advertising and widespread merchandising over-sold the potential of this grass.

Advertisements reaching our area promote the use of Zoysia grass plugs (established Zoysia grass plants). The Zoysia was released in 1950 and has been widely distributed, and yet, is not adapted to northern areas.

Since Zoysia requires warm temperatures and bright sunlight, it has little to offer for North Dakota lawns. Growth is prevented by cold spring weather and stopped by cool night temperatures below 50 degrees F. Zoysia's leaves turn brown gradually as frost kills the leaf tips. The leaves stay brown, although the plant is alive below throughout the winter. It resumes growth only after warm spring weather begins (probably June 1 in this area).

Zoysia's best use appears to be in areas with early warm spring periods, such as St. Louis, Washington, D.C. or equal climate. In the majority of the upper Midwest, the cool season grasses are more widely adapted. Therefore, we do not recommend zoysia grass for North Dakota lawns.

If you have further questions, please contact your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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