Question
Hello and thanks,

2 questions. #1 for Fescue-when and what kind of weed killer should be used? Also, when and what to use for fertilizer.
#2-Palisades Zoysia-When and what kind of fertilizer should I use?

Thanks

Answer
The key to beautiful, healthy Grass is proper soil preparation -- not simply Weed removal and Fertilizer.

Break up Soil and remove Weeds and rocks.  Then amend with Organic Matter.  Humus, Compost, aged Manure are vital to good Soil structure and rich Soil.  Then get your Soil tested.  Your Soil is probably packed with EVERYTHING your Grass needs for strong, healthy growth.  If not, a Soil test will tell you what, if anything, it's missing.  Resist the temptation to fiddle with fertilizers.  Too much of the wrong element and you may cause a shortage of something else.

Ditto, Lime.  If your Soil doesn't need it, don't buy it, and don't put it down.

Let's talk about your Grasses.

Tall Fescue -- Festuca arundinacea -- is adapted to a wide range of Soil types.  But it thrives in fertile, well-drained Soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Late Summer/Early Fall -- September and October -- are the best time to seed Tall Fescue, because it's a Cool Season Grass.  Planting Seed too early exposes it to heat stress and disease; too late and the growing season is too short to develop a strong root system before temps plummet for Winter.  Mow it when it reaches 2 1/2 inches, then leave it alone for Winter.

Zoysia is a Warm Season Grass.  It grows best in Soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.  Plugs are the typical way to establish a Zoysia Lawn.  This Grass is well adapted to very Sandy Soil with high levels of Oxygen at the root level.  Plant Zoysia when your Soil -- NOT your AIR -- warms up consistently to 75 or 85 degrees F every day.  Zoysia roots revel in those temps and you'll get the best results.

Note that much depends on where you live.

Weedkiller is a controversial subject.  If your Weeds are Annual, they will self destruct at the end of the year; all you need to do is keep them from setting seed.  If your Weeds are perennial, not even a chemical pre-emergent will destroy them; you should yank them up out of the ground from the roots to control them successfully, not such a difficult thing if you are putting down a brand new Lawn.

Thanks for writing.  Your followups invited.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER