This has been watered twice this summer, maybe three times. Otherwise, only sporadic rainfall. This was seeded last year, and watered regularly that first season. The soil is a heavy clay soil. The original Fescue mix sewn by the builder did not survive its first summer without watering (before we moved in). See my Tennessee Lawn Grass post for details of best establishment of Zoysia.
I did not want to create a mud yard, so contrary to the best establishment practice, I ran a plug aerator over the lawn, sewed the Zoysia seed, then lightly raked it. This doesn't give coverage as quickly as tilling a good seedbed. But, enough gets started that it will eventually take over and crowd out any Fescue; and the results of seeding in the clay soil are illustrated in these pictures.
I predict two to three more growing seasons to achieve complete coverage. This Zoysia grass is very drought hardy, goes dormant until it gets water, then starts growing again.
July 3 - The orange soil is spray paint. Note stolon (runner) A crossing from lower left to upper right. |
July 10 - The knife tip shows the end of the stolon A. There is a clump of grass to its right. Stolon B is barely visible at the top of the bare area. |