While everyone likes the idea of having a lawn, some things stop you from getting one. For instance, not everybody can ensure their yards get full sunlight every day. While that might deter you from installing turf, it shouldn’t.
Luckily, there are excellent shade-tolerant options for having an aesthetically pleasing lawn in low-light conditions. Of course, you’ll always have to pay attention to a grass type’s survival requirements before installing it.
Diamond Zoysia is a perfect option for people living in warm climates and who need a grass type that can survive without too much direct light, it has requirements you’ll have to meet for it to thrive. To find out if you should install this turf in your yard, check out this handy guide.
Diamond Zoysia: Characteristics
Diamond Zoysia is a popular choice for golf courses and yards. Also, its brilliant green color and density make it a favorite for sports fields: ball marks are easier to eliminate and correct. Plus, it can count on excellent recuperative abilities and has superior color retention all year round, which are all characteristics that play in its favor.
Because it falls under the category of “fine-textured” grass types, Diamon Zoysia is ideal for barefoot walking. If your kids like to play in your yard or if you host frequent events in your yard, installing Diamond Zoysia will be your best bet: this grass will endure heavy foot traffic without showing symptoms of wear. Your yard will be the envy of your neighbors!
Even if this grass becomes dormant later than other types, it still requires more time to establish. However, your patience will be worth it in the end: the dense carpet of grass is one of the most attractive characteristics of this turf. Plus, because of its late dormancy, you can expect it to keep its brilliant green color for much longer than Bermuda grass.
A curious fact you may not know is that this hybrid grass results from Dr. Engelke’s studies at Texas University. The researcher aimed to create a hybrid variety with superior tolerance to shade and salty soils. It seems like he was successful!
Conditions for Growth and Survival
Diamond Zoysia is excellent for warm and hot climates. According to the USDA hardiness zones classification, the optimal regions for its installation are between zones 7 and 11. The Southern states, subtropical, tropical, and coastal regions are all optimal habitats for this type of Zoysia to thrive.
Besides the aesthetic appeal, this turf is the favorite option for people that cannot provide full sun to their lawns. Indeed, it can maintain high quality at as much as 60% shade. Add
itionally, it is tolerant of salty soils and extreme heat conditions. It can prosper without much water and doesn’t need fertilizers to survive. Even in the most extreme conditions, this grass will maintain its color. Diamond develops a deep root system crucial to moisture maintenance and resistance to drought. If dry conditions persist, the grass may turn brown. However, it will green up quickly when watered again.
To keep your lawn healthy, you may want to consider feeding it with low nitrogen and high phosphorous fertilizer. Also, you can prevent crabgrass by applying preemergent before weed seeds’ germination. Don’t forget to monitor your grass and keep an eye out for pests and diseases to deal with them promptly if necessary. Like with most things in life, prevention is better than cure.
On the downside, this type of grass requires moderate to high maintenance. You’ll have to keep it low, meaning you’ll have to schedule frequent mowing sessions to keep it healthy and good-looking. The good news is that if you are on a budget, installing this turf will not cause you to break the bank.
Diamond Zoysia: The Bottom Line
Diamond Zoysia is an excellent option if you can provide only partial shade to your lawn and are not afraid to mow it frequently. If you are looking for a high-quality, durable, and affordable turf, look no further. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to spend some time maintaining it. With proper care, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly brilliant green grass for all your events and barbecue sessions with your friends.