How To Get Rid Of Zoysia Grass In South Africa

What is Zoysia Grass?

Is a genus of creeping grasses widespread across much of Asia and Australia, as well as various islands in the Pacific.

How To Get Rid Of Zoysia Grass In South Africa

1.Harness the Sun’s Power

Solarization works effectively against warm-season grasses, such as zoysia, and kills the grass within two months without using toxic herbicides. For the best results, water your zoysia and use enough irrigation to moisten the soil to a depth of a foot. Cover the grass with a clear plastic tarp.

Tarp comes in various sizes; look for one labeled as 1-millimeter-thick for the fastest results, or 1.5- to 2-millimeters-thick for windy areas. Weigh down the edges of the tarp with rocks, bricks or similar objects. The sun’s ultraviolet rays will bake the underlying soil, killing your zoysia grass within six to eight weeks.

2.Smother the Grass With Darkness

Too much sun, as in the case of solarization, kills zoysia. The opposite also works; by covering your zoysia with an impenetrable layer of organic matter, you block out the sun’s life-giving rays and kill the grass. An extra advantage: this method causes the zoysia to decompose, thus adding nitrogen and other nutrients to your gardening soil.

First, cover your grass with a layer of newspapers that’s six to eight sheets thick. Then, cover the newspaper with 2 inches of compost followed by 2 inches of wood chips. Over the course of a couple months, the underlying zoysia will die and decompose.

3.Spritz the Grass With Chemicals

For the fastest results, spray the zoysia with a nonselective herbicide formulated with glyphosate, which kills zoysia and all other plants. For the best results, wait for a dry day when no wind or rain is in the weather forecast. Pull on protective gear, including shoes, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and safety goggles. Apply any glyphosate-based herbicide to the zoysia according to the manufacturer’s product-specific guidelines, as toxicity and potency varies by product.

For example, Roundup’s Ready-To-Use Weed & Grass Killer III comes with no mixing requirements; simply spray it on the zoysia using the bottle’s included spray gun at a rate of 1 gallon for every 300 square feet. In contrast, for effective use against grass, Bonide’s Kleenup Weed & Grass Killer 41% Super Concentrate requires you to mix it at a rate of 3 tablespoons per gallon of water, with every gallon sufficiently treating 300 square feet of zoysia.

4.Cut Out the Zoysia

Physically removing your zoysia is back-breaking work, but it’s faster than waiting for solarization or smothering to take effect, and it avoids the toxic use of herbicides. Using a sharp spade, cut your zoysia lawn into 1-foot-wide strips. Then, using the spade or a gardening fork, pull up one end of the strip and roll it forward to basically strip it from the soil surface.

Rake the bare soil left behind to remove any stray bits of grass or weeds. Observe the area for two to three weeks; if you left behind bits of zoysia grass, it may start regrowing. Hand-pull any straggling remnants of your lawn on an as-needed basis until you completely eliminate the zoysia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

What will kill zoysia in South Africa?

Will roundup for lawns kill zoysia grass?

Roundup For Lawns4 was designed to kill weeds, not your lawn. This formula works great on southern grasses like Bermuda, Centipedegrass, Zoysia and St. Augustine grass — including Floratam!

Can you strip zoysia grass?

For warm season grasses, a finer bladed zoysia, like Innovation^TM Zoysia, can stripe pretty well.

How do you kill zoysia grass in St Augustine?

The best and most effective herbicide for driving out St. Augustine from EMPIRE Zoysia lawns is Fusilade II Herbicide. However, it is highly suggested you follow the label’s application instructions closely so that it doesn’t harm the zoysia.

How do you stop zoysia from spreading?

Zoysia grass spreads through underground rhizomatous runners. One of the best ways to keep zoysia out of neighboring lawns or garden beds is to establish good borders. You can accomplish this by installing lawn edging that zoysia is unable to get through, such as plastic or aluminum.

How do you get rid of Zoysia grass naturally?

Killing grass with heat and darkness is another way to remove it without using chemicals. Use clear plastic, weighted down on the corners, over the affected area. To kill grass with darkness, cover the area with a solid colored tarp or plastic. During the heat of summers, zoysia grass will die off within 4-6 weeks.

Does vinegar kill zoysia grass?

Vinegar is non-selective, meaning it will potentially kill every plant it comes into contact with including lawn grass and other desirable plants.

Will burning zoysia grass kill it?

Once thatching has been established, however, there are only a few ways to get rid of it. The most popular method, but also the most dangerous, is to burn off the grass and, with it, the layer of thatching. Because Zoysia grass has such a strong root system, the grass will come back once burnt off.

How deep are zoysia roots?

Zoysia. Zoysia root systems are significantly shorter than bermudagrass; reaching only 2′ in depth. However, it has a dense, thick root system for the full 2′, meaning it is much more efficient at absorbing water and nutrients in the top layer of soil.

Is striping your lawn good for it?

Mowing your lawn and striping it is actually good for your grass. It can become healthier by striping. Mowing in the same pattern and same direction all of the time creates uneven spots and ruts. Striping allows the sun to nourish all portions of your lawn.

Is zoysia better than St Augustine?

The benefit of Zoysia grass over St. Augustine is only under severe drought conditions. In severe drought situations, Zoysia grass would be more likely to ultimately recover, while St. Augustine grass may require replacement.

How do you edge Zoysia grass in South Africa?

Edge the perimeter of the grass growing along your flowerbed with an edging tool (a short, half-moon shaped shovel). Insert the edge of the blade where you want the edge of your zoysia grass to be. Then push down with your foot so that the shovel penetrates roughly 3 inches into the soil.