Question
What is the best fertilizer to use for Zoysia grass?

Answer
More precisely: How do you care for Zoysia?

Feeding is only part of the Zoysia story.  Zoysia needs less fertilizing than most lawn grasses.  In good soil, it needs almost no extra fertilizing at all.

But because Zoysia is more vulnerable than some lawn grasses to Grubs, it is critical to promote rich, healthy soil that does not foster invasion by damaging beetles and insect pests.

Sure, you could get by with the traditional approach, and few people would notice the difference.

But for maximum curb appeal, or if you want to Wow your father in law or that buddy from high school, if you're the kind of person who does not settle for second best, the ultimate Zoysia lawn will grow best in high powered soil.  THAT is the best fertilizer for Zoysia.  In fact, I don't think there's a cool season grass that can keep up with Zoysia on a hot summer day.

Unlike cool season grasses, Zoysia's prime growing is done all summer long.

While Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescues are sweating bullets, healthy Zoysia is singing along, spreading out, cool as a cucumber.  It needs less water and grows slower -- requiring less mowing -- even through summer days that singe the tips of Rye and KBG.

What does that mean?

It means that slow release nutrition -- the kind that microbes generate, in low, even doses that increase as soil temperatures rise -- is the ultimate fertilization program for Zoysia.

You definitely have to know what you're doing.

But do it, and the results are spectacular.  My friend, there are not many people who can call their Zoysia 'spectacular'.

So just putting down a slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite, is only part of the answer.  Slow release fertilizer is one key.  The slowest, richest fertilizer will be generated by microbes in a high-humus, organically rich soil.  Lots of people assume as a southern grass that Zoysia is perfectly happy in low-quality, sandy soil.  Lucky for them, Zoysia is not demanding.

Give it a great soil, and watch your Zoysia soar.

Some people over-fertilize their Zoysia.  They're the ones who are always grappling with thatch and grubs problems.
Fertilizer companies are only too happy to help them do that.

Because when the other problems start popping up, the fertilizer companies will be right there at the front door to sell them more stuff to solve it.

With Zoysia, less is more.

Slow, steady, delayed release of Nitrogen is the perfect food for this grass.  Think of it as a calm, easy, Southern drawl kind of fertilizer.  A respectable, reliable 3-1-1 in slow doses builds muscle on this grass.  And never, NEVER mix with pesticides.  You want that soil to be strong.  Pesticides wipe out all signs of life; they eliminate all the things you need to ward off thatch and build reserves of NPK.  And they cost a lot of money.  For what?

That's it, my friend.  The Intelligent Gardener's guide to a Zoysia lawn.  Just for you, Dan.  Any questions?