Zoysia Grass Pros and Cons: Northern vs. Southern Performance

General Zoysia Characteristics

• Warm-season grass: peaks at 95°F
• Cold hardy but UGLY in north: brown <40°F until consistent 70s°F
• Sod-forming (stolons/rhizomes) → mow 1-2 inches (not all mowers cut this low)
• Slow establishment but aggressive long-term
• Needs more sun/water than St. Augustine
• More shade tolerant than Bermuda

New Jersey Specifics (Follow-Up)

• Terrible for NJ: Brown 2 months while neighbors' lawns green
• Don't be "that neighbor" with brown spring lawn
• Better choice: New Kentucky bluegrass varieties (Seedland.com)
• Containment critical: Keep neighbor's Zoysia OUT – "comes to dinner, never leaves"

Southern Context

In the South, Zoysia can be "grass of your dreams" – right place, right time. Seedland offers improved varieties worth investigating for southern growers.

Incompatibility Warning

Seedland: Incorporating Zoysia into established St. Augustine = "not recommended, success rate very low."