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What is the best way to cut Zoysia grass?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 23, 2026

For most zoysiagrass cultivars, turfgrass growers recommend a mowing height of 1½ inches. In partial shade, mow zoysiagrass at 2 to 2½ inches. Mowing heights below 1 inch will require a reel type mower to achieve satisfactory results, and with zoysiagrass, a reel type mower will give better results at any height.

What type of mower is best for Zoysia grass?

Top 5 Best Lawn Mower for Zoysia Grass

  • Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower (My Top Pick)
  • Fiskars Stay Sharp Max Reel Mower, 18 Inch (Best High-End)
  • Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16” Cordless Lawn Mower (Best Environmental)
  • Earthwise 515-18 18-Inch Quiet Cut Push Reel Lawn Mower (Quietest Option)

How do you cut Zoysia?

Mowing Emerald Zoysia Sod

  1. Mow at 1.5" cutting height. Mow no more than 1/3 of the leaf off at one mowing. Use sharp mower blades and catch and remove clippings. Mow with a rotary or reel mower.
  2. Less frequent mowing requirements (second only to Centipede) - mowing may be required on a 7-to-10-day interval.

Do you have to use a reel mower on Zoysia?

Although zoysia grass can be trimmed with either type of mower, reel mowers are recommended. Their clean cuts prevent the tops of the grass from turning brown or yellow. When maintained with a sharp reel blade, Zoysia grass looks like a majestic, green carpet.

How do you scalp Zoysia grass?

Tips for scalping:

  1. All Bermuda and zoysia lawns (only) should be scalped each spring. ...
  2. To scalp your lawn, lower your mower blades to the shortest setting, mow the lawn, and bag the clippings. ...
  3. Do not scalp your lawn until all chance of frost is past.
32 related questions found

Should you burn zoysia grass?

Answer: If you have experience with burning the dormant turf, then it can be very good for a zoysia lawn to be top-burned about every 5 years. This process will release nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients into the soil and create a very green lawn when it grows back.

Should you Dethatch zoysia grass?

Dethatching a zoysia lawn can help minimize the impact of that heavy organic matter surrounding the lower blades and roots. Lawn experts agree, very little thatch is produced by zoysia grass.

Can you cut zoysia with a rotary mower?

Reel mowers are recommended for zoysia grass because of their scissor-like method of cutting. But as long as you cut your lawn on a regular basis, a rotary mower can work. Make sure the grass is dry when you mow to prevent clumps, which can lead to fungus and disease.

How often do you have to cut zoysia grass?

Zoysiagrass should be mowed every 5 to 7 days and less often when the lawn is drought stressed. . Do not apply more than 2 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year.

What length should zoysia grass be cut?

Mowing. You will not need to mow nearly as often because zoysia doesn't grow tall quickly. A healthy zoysia lawn should be mowed to a height of 1 1/2" to 3". A golden rule when mowing any turf is "never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf height."

Should you bag zoysia grass when cutting?

Bagging Zoysia grass clippings creates a beautiful landscape: Most homeowners choose Zoysia grass because they want to keep their lawn beautiful. To do so, you need to bag the grass clippings so that your healthy grass can be shown off.

How do you make zoysia grass green?

How to Make Zoysia Grass Look Incredible

  1. Mow your zoysiagrass the first time in the spring before it turns green -- around mid-April -- to clean out the old blades of grass, leaves and other debris. ...
  2. Cut the grass to keep it shorter than other turf grasses. ...
  3. Irrigate the zoysiagrass as needed to keep it looking green.

How do you make zoysia grass dark green?

To encourage green growth, choose a lawn fertilizer with a high percentage of nitrogen and a low percentage of phosphorous. Make sure the nitrogen is slow-release so nutrients don't all reach the plant at once, which will result in fast, weak growth. Zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass and St.

When Should I aerate my zoysia lawn?

For Zoysia, the best time to aerate is in the late spring. This way, the grass will be able to heal and take over the parts that you removed from the lawn. You should also make sure that the ground is soft and moist before aerating. It is normally efficient to aerate the day after a nice rain.

Can you overwater zoysia grass?

Do not overwater the grass. Zoysia grass only needs about 1 inch of water weekly.

Is a reel mower better for grass?

Reel mowers are preferred for lower mowing heights (under an inch) whereas rotary mowers perform better at higher mowing heights. Reel mowers are more effective when the grass is not too long, wet, or undulating. Reel mowers also have a hard time chopping up twigs and going over rocks.

What happens if you cut zoysia too short?

The primary reason for this is to reduce thatch buildup. This also shortens the grass to allow for a seasonal growth spurt that will affect the appearance of the lawn all year. When you cut Zoysia this close, the lawn will be mostly brown. It will look like the lawn has died.

What is best fertilizer for Zoysia grass?

The ideal zoysia grass fertilizer will be a 15-0-15, 15-0-10, or 15-0-5 fertilizer mix. A 15-0-15 blend of fertilizer means that the product will contain 15% Nitrogen, 0% Phosphorus, and 15% Potassium. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient nutrient zoysia needs. Potassium helps the grass become draught and shock resistant.

Should I put lime on zoysia grass?

Zoysia requires a more neutral pH of at least 6.5. For this reason, it is recommended that granular lime (a calcium-containing material) be spread evenly across the turf to raise the soil pH toward a more neutral or alkaline level. (We typically do this on warm-season grasses like bermuda and zoysia in the early fall.)

How low should my rotary mower be?

Honestly, most rotary mowers cannot mow as low as one inch; most can only get as low as 1.25 inches, which is fine for EMPIRE's first mow of the spring. Most rotary mowers, when adjusted to the lowest setting, cannot mow much lower than 1.25 inches, which is fine for the first mow of the year for EMPIRE.

What is a reel mower?

What is a Reel Mower? On a reel mower, the blades spin vertically. This is different from most mowers you may be familiar with where the blade spins horizontally, called rotary mowers. Traditionally, reel mowers are mechanically powered, which means you need to use muscle to push them to cut grass.

Can you power rake Zoysia grass?

Dethatch Zoysia Grass

Go over the entire lawn with a power rake or lawn dethatcher, which you can rent from an equipment supplier. Adjust the depth of the cutting blades based on the thickness of the thatch layer.

Why is my Zoysia grass dying?

It is usually caused from overly dry conditions and lack of proper fertilizer. Leaf spot develops small lesions on grass blades with distinct patterns. Close inspection of spotty areas of zoysia dying will oftentimes be necessary to determine its actual presence.

What fire gives off?

Fire is a chemical reaction that converts a fuel and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water. It is an exothermic reaction, in other words, one that produces heat.