It's hard to believe, but glossy zoysia grass advertisements are showing up in some circulars and other publications already. The ads entreat us to buy zoysia plugs and say goodbye to lawn care chores such as mowing, fertilizing and weed control.
However, planting zoysia grass in Minnesota is a waste of money, time and effort.
Considered a warm-season grass, zoysia performs best in hot, dry climates, not ours, which overall is cool and relatively moist. We also should avoid other, inappropriate-for-Minnesota, warm-season grasses -- St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass, bahia grass and centipede grass, to name just a few.
While it's true that zoysia requires less moisture in hot, dry conditions, and stays green even as Kentucky bluegrass goes into heat-or drought-induced summer dormancy, it's still a poor choice for Minnesota. That's because zoysia grass only does well in warm or hot weather, and we have plenty of cool weather on either side of our short, hot summers.
Zoysia grass doesn't turn green until temperatures remain consistently above freezing. Most years, that's not until the latter part of May in the Twin Cities area. Zoysia turns brown again as freezing temperatures return. Meanwhile, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fine-leaved fescues green up early and usually are still green until it begins to snow.
Another zoysia "attribute"is an ability to spread aggressively, choking out other grasses and weeds. But not in this climate.
Zoysia sticks out in a typical bluegrass yard because of its stiff, wiry stems and coarse, broad blades.
There are grasses that work fine in Minnesota, although will deliver the "maintenance-free" appeal of zoysia. With basic care and attention, though, the following grasses not only will survive, but will thrive in our climate.
