Warm-season grass
How to fertilize zoysiagrass
A dense, slow-growing warm-season grass that needs less nitrogen than bermudagrass. Here is how much it needs, when to feed it, and a calculator already set up for it.
Zoysiagrass at a glance
- Nitrogen a year2–3 lbper 1,000 sq ft
- Main feedingsMay–Augafter green-up
- Per feeding0.75 lb Nusual band 0.5–1 lb
- Feedings a year2–4at 0.75 lb each
Feeding calendar
When to feed zoysiagrass
Warm-season grass
2–3 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year
At 0.75 lb a feeding, that is about 2–4 feedings a year.
Main feedings: May, June, July and August. Light or regional feedings: April and September.
Start after the lawn has fully greened up in spring, feed through summer, and stop by early fall so the grass is not pushed into growth before cold weather. Zoysia needs less than bermudagrass; Florida's guide goes up to 4.5 lb in the far south.
Typical ranges from university extension guides. Your state or county guide wins. See the sources.
Calculator
How much to spread on your zoysiagrass
It starts at 0.75 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft on a 5,000 sq ft lawn. Change the numbers to match your lawn and your bag.
Worked examples
One feeding on 5,000 sq ft of zoysiagrass
At 0.75 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, with four common bag numbers.
| Bag numbers | Per 1,000 sq ft | For 5,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 29-0-4 | 2.6 lb | 12.9 lb |
| 16-4-8 | 4.7 lb | 23.4 lb |
| 10-10-10 | 7.5 lb | 37.5 lb |
| 46-0-0 | 1.6 lb | 8.2 lb |
Good to know
Feeding zoysiagrass well
Start after the lawn has fully greened up in spring, feed through summer, and stop by early fall so the grass is not pushed into growth before cold weather. Zoysia needs less than bermudagrass; Florida's guide goes up to 4.5 lb in the far south.
Keep any single feeding to about 1 lb of quick-release nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft or less. Slow-release products may be labeled for more. Florida limits quick-release nitrogen to 0.7 lb per feeding.
The product label has the final say on rate and timing, and some states limit phosphorus or set dates when lawn fertilizer cannot go down. See how these numbers are worked out.
Questions
Zoysiagrass, answered
How much nitrogen does zoysiagrass need a year?
Typical university guidance is 2–3 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft a year. Zoysia needs less than bermudagrass; Florida's guide goes up to 4.5 lb in the far south.
When should I fertilize zoysiagrass?
The main feedings fall in May, June, July and August. Light or regional feedings: April and September. Start after spring green-up and stop by early fall.
How much fertilizer do I need for 5,000 sq ft of zoysiagrass?
At 0.75 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft, a 29-0-4 product needs 2.6 lb per 1,000 sq ft, so 12.9 lb for 5,000 sq ft in one feeding. Use the calculator on this page for your own lawn and bag.