zoysia grass (Raleigh, Cary, Wilmington: house, neighborhood, buy)

[NewUser]

Originally Posted by sls76

My neighbors on both sides are putting it in this Spring. We have healthy fescue. The neighbor on one side said the creep is only 2" per year. I'm not sure if that's true though. We might put planting areas on both sides to serve as a barrier. It is very ugly in the winter and I'm not too excited about having it on both sides of our house, but I understand why people are looking for an alternative to fescue.

The creep on St Augustine and Bermuda grass is about 2" per WEEK. I don't see how Zoysia can be 2" per YEAR.

Those planting areas are the wrong defense. That stuff will get into your planting beds very easy. It's not like Fescue. It spreads by burrowing underground via the roots. Unless your planting beds have a 6" deep concrete footing, you're sunk.

[Oyster07]

My parents have it at there house. They don't have any problems with it. It does yellow in the winter but is absolutely gorgeous in the warmer months!

[ALT-X]

Originally Posted by sls76

My neighbors on both sides are putting it in this Spring. We have healthy fescue. The neighbor on one side said the creep is only 2" per year. I'm not sure if that's true though. We might put planting areas on both sides to serve as a barrier. It is very ugly in the winter and I'm not too excited about having it on both sides of our house, but I understand why people are looking for an alternative to fescue.

In this day and age who cares what grass looks like, especially in the winter??? As long as it's cut regularly and still neat I wouldn't worry about the color. Even before the drought I never understood people who wasted water trying to keep their grass green year around.

I'll be putting in zoysia myself since I'm in a new subdivision and don't have much grass anyway due to the drought. Zoysia might not be green in the winter (like I said who cares anyway) but it does look much better than fescue or any other type of grass during the warm months.

[sls76]

Zoysia's creep is much slower than bermuda which is why it's probably the best alternative to fescue when your neighbors have fescue. As far as caring what grass looks like, I do. No apologies.

[Streamer1212]

I had the Emerald Zoysia sod installed in my front and side yards (corner lot) a couple of years ago. It is a thatchy, thick, roll around on it, durable, barefoot comfy lawn. It is a drought tolerant slow grower. It requires SOME sun, but not all day full sun. Last year, I cut my grass every three weeks instead of three times every two weeks. It has not been invasive on my neighbor's lawn. It has not invaded my natural area of plantings (daffodil, vinca, azalea mix). It browns out over about a 3 month period, but still stays lush and full. No re-seeding, aerating necessary in the Spring. It is terrific also as an anti-erosion measure on hillsides. It is environmentally friendly, in both water consumption and minimum chemical dependency on fertilizers, etc..

It is a beautiful lawn and I couldn't be happier.

Just my $.02 worth.

Streamer1212

[NewUser]

Well there you have it. I would take Streamer's advice over mine because I'm just speculating based on my experience with Bermuda and St Augustine.

[mkal]

Thank you folks! This thread has cleared my doubts.

[sacredgrooves]

Streamer...what size lot and what was the price of the sod? I have a new house and really don't want the fescue sod the builder is offering, thanks!

[Streamer1212]

My lot is .28 acre. I only did my front yard and side yard, which is about
20% - 25% of the lot size. I paid around $2,800.00 for the sod and installation. I can probably find the name of the installer somewhere in the depths of my elaborate filing system if you're interested. He was very good.

Regards,
Streamer1212

[sacredgrooves]

well, appreciate the info but it seems I would have to fight the HOA to do install it :/