Question
I read recently in a magasine about Amazoy Zoysia Grass.  The advertisement claimed that the lawn requires very little mowing and watering, that the lawn would grow so thick as to choke out weeds, and that the grass resists pests and disease.  The offer sounds too good to be true.  I was wondering if you have ever heard of this type of grass, or this company.  If so, do you know of anyone who has used the product who might give me an honest opinion?  Thank you for you help.
Alex

Answer
Hi Alex,

Zoysia lawns are becoming more popular, but here in Oklahoma I have only found maybe two or three such lawns in fifty years so I am no authority on them and would not want to recommend anything I have not tended for years. The 'caveat emptor' theme remains a concern for the product and the seller's claims may be honest or not;...unless they can provide you with a local satisfied customer which they may be more than glad to do,...and if not, forget doing business with them.  

As far as I know, Zoysia lawns are always started from sod or plugs and this is much more costly and problematic compared to using seed.  Chances are there are more than a dozen or so grass-types you can use in your climate-area, and many improved cultivars of the 'classics' that have been the local standard too.

New 'super-turfgrass' Hybrids are being developed by the grass-geneticists all the time, and you may want to shop around before you invest in anything 'out of the ordinary'.
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Only Use plants and grasses rated for your climate-zone.
 HORT ZONES from ZIP CODES:
 http://www.arborday.org/trees/whatzone.html
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Additionally,
Check out these seed shopping links:

About Grass seed/selection and a few good mail-order resources:

https://www.turf-seed.com/home/

http://www.scottscompany.com/lawncare/GrassSeed.cfm

http://www.lawngrass.com/states/

Interesting HYBRIDS:
http://www.turfmerchants.com/special.html

Bermuda Varieties:
http://grove.ufl.edu/~turf/bermvars/index.html

Shade Tolerant Southern Grasses:
http://www.shadegrass.com/info/southern.html
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With a good fertile-loamy well draining top-soil, best quality hybrid grass type(s), 1-3 inches of water per week, plenty of sun-light, an healthy root-zone ecosystem...almost anyone can have an excellent lawn with a minimum maintenance effort.
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I Hope this has answered your question(s)!
___JIM Gibbs,
   Microbiologist

Visit my Lawn & Gardens webpage for more facts and links:
http://hometown.aol.com/eilatlog/lawnol.html

Your Questions and Comments are welcome at ALLEXPERTS.com
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