The Grass Doctor

what weed killer can i use on my zoysia sod?

minor details first: i live in south/central texas, the zoysia is pretty much in full sun, and i "planted" the sod in mid march... now that i have the actual sodding behind me, i have a new frustration. there are weeds growing between the "cracks" in the sod and coming up through some sections of the zoysia itself. as far as the sod itself, if i were to pick up the sod pieces, i can see that the zoysia is rooting down with the white roots, but they are still not "secured" enough to make it difficult to pull them up if i needed to. how do i go about fertilizing or weed killing on the new sod without damaging my lawn? i bought the vigoro weed and feed, but after reading the website, i saw that the product only works on broadleaf weeds. the ones i have are more like a crabgrass or similar skinny weed. what should i use? i also have a scotts fertailizer "bonus s" i think that i'm tempted to try instead. i'd like to get my lawn as established as possible sooner than later, but i dont want to weeds to keep popping up. i'd love some insight on the zoysia lawn and how i can care for it at this point.....thanks!

Public Comments

1. If it looks like "crab grass", taste like "crab grass" and smells like "crab grass" then guess what???? Try a "Crab grass killer". If no luck, call a professional and have them tell you what the 'problem' is. Then you will know how to treat it without damaging your lawn!!
2. Hello Susie..... What you are gonna need for a warm season grass such as your Zoysia, is a product made by Ortho called Weed B Gone "Max" for Southern Lawns. Some of the warm season grasses are very susceptible to burn with herbicides containing 2,4D. Ortho has taken the guess work out of having to figure out just which one is appropriate with the above product. If you decide to use Weed B Gone max, you will need to "MAKE SURE" it says for "southern lawns" (they have more than 1 type of weed b gone product). Beings that you are in Texas which is primarily a warm season turf state, any Walmart, Home Depot, or Lowes garden center will carry this product. It comes in a couple different styles from a concentrate you mix yourself, or a ready to spray hose connected container.. Choose which one is easier for you.. Below is a very good video contained in the link about this product, so click onto this site and then onto the video link contained within. This will explain the process in detail..... Good luck and here is the Weed b Gone max for southern lawns link...... http://www.scotts.com/smg/learn/video/videoPage.jsp?detailId=14000012&subNavId=page900090&navId=300030&parentId=100006 ** Added info: Oops! I just noticed at the end of your question you are talking about the weed possibly being crabgrass. If this is the case, then the product I mentioned above will not work. It is only for "broadleaf" weeds. You will need to get a crabgrass preventer at your local garden center. However, this lawn pest is hard to control once it gets established. You will need to apply the pre-emergant crabgrass control in the fall and then again in the early spring. Timing must be just right in order to keep crabgrass at bay...Make sure to read the directions and be sure it is ok to apply to zoysia grass....... http://www.american-lawns.com/lawn_care.html http://www.american-lawns.com/problems/weeds/crabgrass.html ...Billy Ray
3. the zoysia will eventually choke out the weeds, be patient