Zoysia Lawn Care: Mowing Height, Fertilization, and Frequency

Why Your Zoysia Turns Brown After Mowing

Cutting zoysia at 1.5 inches with a reel mower can scalp the grass if it's not properly fertilized. The brown appearance indicates you're cutting into the stem area rather than just the leaf blades.

The Fertilization-Mowing Balance

Action Plan

1. Apply fertilizer now if you missed the April window.
2. Stick to the schedule above for your chosen fertilization level.
3. Keep mower blades sharp and never remove more than one-third of the leaf height per cut.

Proper feeding ensures the grass grows dense enough to withstand regular mowing without browning.