Best fertilizer for zoysia lawn
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oneeye
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Hello friend, that will depend on what your soil chemistry is. I would recommend you take 3 soil samples from your new lawn and mix them and send them to the soil lab for the best recommendation. Without a soil test one is only guessing. You only need one every 5 years.
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There are so many different fertilizers with different numbers that it is about impossible to recommend one. Just remember that the first number is nitrogen which grows foliage (blades of grass). The second number is phosphorus which grows buds and blooms which you don't really want. The third number is potassium which enables overall plant growth. So, IMO, you want a fertilizer with a higher first number, a low middle number and a third number higher than the second number but lower than the first number. A plant needs all three but grass needs more nitrogen to flourish than say a tomato. Too much nitrogen in a tomato means a plant with more foliage than it needs and fewer tomatoes. With grass you want more blades than seed heads so more nitrogen is needed.
When it comes to fertilizing your new zoysia lawn, it’s important to understand the role of each number on the fertilizer bag: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Each nutrient serves a different purpose in plant growth:
Nitrogen (N) is crucial for promoting lush, green, and healthy foliage, which is exactly what you want for your lawn. Zoysia, like most grasses, thrives with a higher nitrogen content as it helps the grass grow strong blades.
Phosphorus (P) is needed for root development and flowering, but in the case of zoysia grass, it’s not as essential since your focus is on leaf growth and root establishment rather than blooming. Therefore, a lower phosphorus content is ideal.
Potassium (K) helps with overall plant health, enhancing resistance to disease and stress. While you don’t need an excessively high level of potassium, having more potassium than phosphorus will support your lawn’s overall growth.
So, for a healthy zoysia lawn, look for a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen number, a lower phosphorus number, and a potassium level that is in between nitrogen and phosphorus. A typical N-P-K ratio you might want to look for is 16-4-8 or something similar, though specific needs can vary based on your soil conditions.
Just remember, every lawn is unique, and it’s a good idea to get your soil tested to determine its nutrient profile. This way, you can tailor your fertilizer choice even more accurately to your zoysia’s needs.
Nitrogen (N) is crucial for promoting lush, green, and healthy foliage, which is exactly what you want for your lawn. Zoysia, like most grasses, thrives with a higher nitrogen content as it helps the grass grow strong blades.
Phosphorus (P) is needed for root development and flowering, but in the case of zoysia grass, it’s not as essential since your focus is on leaf growth and root establishment rather than blooming. Therefore, a lower phosphorus content is ideal.
Potassium (K) helps with overall plant health, enhancing resistance to disease and stress. While you don’t need an excessively high level of potassium, having more potassium than phosphorus will support your lawn’s overall growth.
So, for a healthy zoysia lawn, look for a balanced fertilizer with a higher nitrogen number, a lower phosphorus number, and a potassium level that is in between nitrogen and phosphorus. A typical N-P-K ratio you might want to look for is 16-4-8 or something similar, though specific needs can vary based on your soil conditions.
Just remember, every lawn is unique, and it’s a good idea to get your soil tested to determine its nutrient profile. This way, you can tailor your fertilizer choice even more accurately to your zoysia’s needs.