Overwatered Japanese lawngrass If your grass is turning yellow or pale green, it may be getting too much water. Although Japanese lawngrass is tolerant of almost any soil type (it is not sensitive to pH, and can be in sandy, loamy, or clay soil types), it doesn’t do well in soil that doesn’t drain well. Avoid planting this grass in marshy areas or where the ground feels spongy. If you irrigate your lawn, err on the side of too little water vs too much, since Japanese lawngrass does best if it’s allowed to dry out before being watered again. Wet soil can allow fungus to grow, or create a favorable habitat for insect pests and weeds. Of course you can’t control how much rain falls on your Zoysia grass, and the occasional heavy rainfall is unlikely to cause problems for this resilient plant. However, long-term overwatering can cause the plant to suffer and even die off. Underwatered Japanese lawngrass One of the advantages of growing Japanese lawngrass is that it can survive without much water since it has adaptations that help it to conserve water. This grass has a deep root system, meaning it can use groundwater if it hasn’t been watered in a while. In drought conditions, this grass will turn yellow and get crispy, but it can recover once the dry spell is over. The ability to recover from a variety of conditions is one of the many reasons that Japanese lawngrass is such a popular grass.

In most places where grasses are used in landscaping, there will be sufficient rainfall to keep it looking good without supplemental irrigation or watering. However, if it is planted in a very dry climate or there is a lengthy drought, Japanese lawngrass may die out if it isn’t watered. During the winter months, this grass goes dormant and may appear to be dead, but it still needs moisture to keep from becoming fully dehydrated. It regrows as weather warms up in the spring. A good rule of thumb for watering Japanese lawngrass is that it does best with about an inch of water every 1 week. A thorough drenching in a short period of time is better than a slow and steady drip, as it leads to a stronger, deeper root system. Freshly planted grass has more specific requirements for watering. After planting, the young grass needs to be kept moist for the first 3 to 4 weeks until it has a chance to establish itself. The best time of year to plant Japanese lawngrass is in the late spring to early summer, when there tends to be plenty of rainfall anyway. However, if your area experiences a dry spell after you’ve recently planted grass in your lawn, it is a good idea to cover the grass to prevent water evaporating or to water the lawn to keep soil moist.

The environmental conditions, soil type, and amount of drainage will affect how often Japanese lawngrass needs to be watered. If your lawn has sandy soil that doesn’t retain much moisture, you may need to irrigate to keep this grass looking its best. Clay soils that drain slowly and hold a lot of water are less likely to need additional water, but can be bad for Japanese lawngrass as this grass is sensitive to too much water around its roots.

Japanese lawngrass can grow very quickly during the growing season, and will start to look untidy if it is not mowed regularly. This grass produces flowers and seed heads that many people find unattractive, but regular mowing will cut those down before they become noticeable. Removing seeds before they develop will also keep your Japanese lawngrass seeds from spreading to areas where you’d rather not have it growing. In order to keep this grass looking as good as possible, regular maintenance including mowing is necessary.

Japanese lawngrass is known for its need for frequent mowing, and it grows most quickly during the summer months when there is plenty of sunlight to spur new growth. You should expect to mow at least once per week in summer. In spring and fall, you can adjust your mowing frequency depending on the height of the grass. This grass species tolerates being mowed very short, down to ¾ in/2cm, but will do best if it is cut to a height of around 2 in/2.5cm. Be sure not to remove more than ⅓ of the height of the leaf blade each time you mow, since cutting judiciously will help avoid brown patches due to scalping. The best time of day to prune Japanese lawngrass is in the morning on a day when there is no precipitation in the forecast. This gives the wound enough time to callus over throughout the day, making it less vulnerable to infection.

There are no special requirements or equipment needed for mowing Japanese lawngrass, although a rotary mower works especially well for removing the seed heads. This grass species tolerates being mowed very short, down to ¾ in/2cm, but will do best if it is cut to a height of around 2 in/2.5cm. Be sure not to remove more than ⅓ of the height of the leaf blade each time you mow, since cutting judiciously will help avoid brown patches due to scalping. It is not necessary to bag clippings when mowing Japanese lawngrass. The best time of day to prune Japanese lawngrass is in the morning on a day when there is no precipitation in the forecast. This gives the wound enough time to callus over throughout the day, making it less vulnerable to infection.

If allowed to get too tall, Japanese lawngrass can become difficult to mow since it has very coarse blades. Although it is possible to cut Japanese lawngrass very short, shorter blades can weaken the grass and stunt its ability to grow. If possible, keep this grass longer but cut it more frequently. Avoid cutting Japanese lawngrass when it is wet, such as after a rainstorm or watering. Wet grass leaves are more difficult to cut, making them more likely to be torn or bruised by the mower blade. Cutting wet grass can also cause disease and give the lawn a patchy, uneven appearance. Use a sharp mower blade on young Japanese lawngrass. When the grass has just emerged, its roots have not yet established themselves well enough to be anchored in the soil. A dull blade can tear the Japanese lawngrass from the ground, so sharpen the blade or use a new one the first few times you mow each year. Unsharp blades can cause large wounds through which fungi can easily infest the lawn.

Japanese lawngrass needs full sun every day, and these plants rely on a minimum of six hours of sunlight to keep their leaves, roots, and blooms in a healthy state. Even though most perennials need six hours of sunlight a day, plants like the Orange Daylily or Giant Coreopsis could live off less sun for a minimum of three hours daily. Even though these perennial flowering plants can live with only three hours of direct sunlight, they won't be able to thrive like they would in sunnier conditions.

The few Perennial Flowering Plants that don't like excessive heat in warm climates might react poorly to too much sun if they have heat damage. These plants may wilt or dry out from too much sun and may also develop growth issues if they're regularly in the sun during the most intense heat of the day. Some plants don't need protection from the light afternoon sun, but those that are harmed by intense afternoon exposure should be provided some shade in warmer climates. Gardeners could give these plants plenty of shade by planting them in spots that don't receive direct heat during the afternoon, like under trees or behind bushes.

While many perennial plants need plenty of sun to bloom to their fullest extent, some of them benefit from less sun in warmer climates. For example, people who live in hotter climates might want to provide shade for their flowering perennials in the hot afternoon sun, and this is even more true for months in the summer. Even though some perennial flowering plants will benefit from partially shaded in the hottest climates, plants like the Giant Coreopsis aren't intimidated by too much sun. They might sit outside in the full sun in hot weather and still thrive.

If you're growing Japanese lawngrass and you aren't getting enough sunlight, you'll notice signs of inadequate requirements in your plants. Most plants won't produce as many blooms as they would if they had full sun exposure. Some plants will develop dry spots on their leaves, but most of these plants will still bloom in the inadequate sun. Even though they bloom, the flowers will be smaller and less full.

Japanese lawngrass is great flowers in gardens and will have optimum blooming if it gets six hours of sunlight a day minimum. Sometimes, flowers stay fresh longer if they're partially shaded during the really hot parts of the day. When Japanese lawngrass is young, gardeners want to ensure their younger plants are getting plenty of sunlight but don't have to endure intense heat during the afternoon sunlight. If you have a fully mature plant, provide it with plenty of sun so it may keep up its growth properly.

Japanese lawngrass will need a minimum of six hours of light to best support their photosynthesis cycles. These flowering plants need the sun to help their foliage and blooms grow. However, certain perennial flowering plants like the Giant Coreopsis might need anywhere from eight to twelve hours of full sun a day to maintain their large flowers and healthy foliage.

If you want your Japanese lawngrass to grow healthy and bloom as much as possible during its blooming season, you should try to give your plant six hours of direct sunlight. Some perennial plants might even do more sunlight and could sit in the sun for up to twelve hours, depending on the heat in the area and the general environment. Plants like the Red Hot Poker and Giant Coreopsis thrive in much hotter climates and might sit in all types of strong sunlight. Some home gardeners have to use grow lights because their spaces don't allow for tons of outdoor sunlight. Most perennials could grow happily in grow lights, but they will need anywhere from eight to fourteen hours of artificial light to stay strong since these lights don't have as much power as the sun.

The best temperature for Japanese lawngrass depends on the time of year. There are two primary seasons to discuss for temperature: the growing season, and the dormancy season. During the growing season, once Japanese lawngrass has begun to sprout, the ideal temperature range should be anywhere from 65~80℉(18~27℃). Any colder than 15℉(-10℃), and the plant will suffer; its leaves may brown and wilt, but if this is a short cold snap, then Japanese lawngrass may be able to survive with some help. During the warmer parts of the year, Japanese lawngrass will need to be similarly protected from temperatures that are too high. 95-105℉ (35-40℃) is the top of this plant’s temperature range, and anything above that will compromise the integrity of the foliage and blooms of Japanese lawngrass. Hotter temperatures can cause wilting, drooping, and even sunburn on the leaves, which can be difficult for Japanese lawngrass to recover from. There are quite a few ways to combat this issue that are quick and easy!

If this is the first year of your Japanese lawngrass outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year Japanese lawngrass, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your Japanese lawngrass inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage. It’s also a good idea to plant Japanese lawngrass in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year Japanese lawngrass should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.

If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect Japanese lawngrass from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing Japanese lawngrass in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted Japanese lawngrass is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind. For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose Japanese lawngrass to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.

During the cold winter months, Japanese lawngrass needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to Japanese lawngrass, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine. An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from Japanese lawngrass. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Japanese lawngrass will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.

Fertilizing Japanese lawngrass is essential for vigorous, thick growth. A healthy, well-fed lawn maintains density, stays vibrantly green, recovers well from insect or mechanical damage, and better tolerates seasonal stressors like heat, drought, and cold temperatures. Unhealthy, under-fertilized lawns will gradually lose density and thin over time, allowing undesirable grasses and weeds to encroach. Malnourished lawns are also more prone to insect and disease problems.

Japanese lawngrass is classified as a warm-season grass that does most of its growing in the hottest part of summer, and goes dormant during the cooler winter season. You should fertilize to match its growth pattern—giving it fertilizer just after it comes out of dormancy, continuing through the growing season until just before it goes dormant again in the fall.

At times, fertilizer can be harmful to Japanese lawngrass instead of helpful, especially if the plant is stressed for another reason. Avoid fertilizing if Japanese lawngrass is struggling with diseases such as leaf spot, pythium, large patch, brown patch, or fairy rings and insect problems like grubs, chinch bugs, or armyworms. The fertilizer will further weaken the plant's defenses, making it more vulnerable to other pest problems or disease infections. Never fertilize Japanese lawngrass when it is dormant in the winter. Always wait until the grass is actively growing. During the summer, when it’s hot, avoid fertilizing during the hottest part of the day to minimize fertilizer burn. Avoid fertilizing just after a rainstorm too. Let the soil dry out for a day or two before applying fertilizer to minimize runoff and possible contamination of ground and surface waters.

When it comes to fertilizing Japanese lawngrass, you should use designated lawn or turf fertilizers and avoid all-purpose garden fertilizers like a 12-12-12 blend. Turf blends are usually formulated to contain higher amounts of nitrogen with less phosphorus and potassium. This ratio provides the nutrients lawn need while minimizing injury. Lawn fertilizers typically contain a portion of nutrients that are slowly available to the grass, providing long-term, steady feeding. Of the fertilizer nutrients, nitrogen is needed in the highest quantity and has the most significant impact on established lawns. It promotes overall growth and green color. The Japanese lawngrass needs phosphorus and potassium for strong stem and root growth, drought resistance, tolerance to temperature extremes, and natural defenses against pest and disease attacks.

Fertilize your lawn right after it comes out of winter dormancy and turns green again. Depending upon your local climate, this is typically early spring. Apply fertilizer every four to eight weeks throughout the spring, summer, and early fall. Stop fertilizing as the Japanese lawngrass starts to go dormant in the fall, or about four weeks before the first autumn frost. Always follow the label directions for recommended rates, or apply fertilizers based on soil test recommendations. After fertilizing, water the product into the soil well.

Fertilizers contain salts, and when overapplied, these salts draw moisture out of the grass, causing fertilizer burn. Common signs of fertilizer burn include browning of leaf edges or leaf scorch—the grass blades look like they’ve been burned. If you suspect you have overfertilized your Japanese lawngrass, it is essential to act quickly. You can’t repair fertilizer damage, but you must remove excess fertilizer to prevent further problems. Water the Japanese lawngrass immediately to wash residual fertilizer off the grass blades. Every day for a week, slowly soak the affected soil with plenty of water to push the fertilizer salts out of the root zone.