EMPIRE ZOYSIA

EMPIRE is a superior performer among warm season turfgrasses. EMPIRE thrives in demanding tropical climates, yet also exhibits excellent cold hardiness. EMPIRE will grow in sand, sandy loam, clay or muck. You can expect EMPIRE to retain fall color longer than many other turf selections and to greenup more quickly in the spring. EMPIRE is a durable and versatile turf variety; but as with the selection of any turfgrass, you should understand your own unique local growing conditions prior to purchasing and installing EMPIRE or any other variety.

EMPIRE Turf™ Homeowner’s Maintenance

Congratulations on your decision to upgrade your lawn to EMPIRE Turf, EMPIRE is the proven zoysia grass and will supply years of enjoyment. Below are proper care and maintenance checklists for each season. For more detailed information, see the Best Maintenance Practices for Empire Turf at EmpireTurf.com. Following these steps will help keep your lawn looking at its best.

Immediately After Installation: Prepare soil and water lightly before the sod is placed. It is essential that turf is watered thoroughly when installed. Soak upon installation and water is needed to keep new sod from drying out. Overwatering for an extended period, however, will severely damage the turf, inducing disease and rotting roots. It usually takes seven to 10 days during the active growing season for the sod to establish, but may take longer during cooler weather. Proper rooting can be checked by lifting a corner of the new sod piece and noting if “white” roots have connected to the ground. In approximately seven to 10 days, and after rooted in, you can begin mowing every week.

SPRING

1. Following the final freeze of winter (If your EMPIRE is mature), drop your mower a notch and give your EMPIRE a “buzz-cut”, bagging up all material. This will get rid of the brown top layer and any old leaves. Then for the rest of spring keep your EMPIRE lawn mowed between 1-2 inches and bag clippings if possible. Mow once a week during the active mowing season.
2. Apply lighter fertilizer rate in spring, 0.5 lb N/1000 sq.ft. This is equivalent to 3.33lbs of a 15-0-15 per 1000 or 1.67 of a 30-0-30. To enhance color, use iron (Fe) sources alone or incorporate into the formula. If available, apply micronutrients like Mg, Zn and B. This promotes the overall health of the grass.
3. Apply pre-emergent herbicide. This will cut down on summer weeds.
4. Treat with a broad-spectrum insecticide. If using a granular, be sure to water the lawn immediately after application to get into the soil. Make sure it offers control for billbugs.
5. Don’t overwater. In the active growing season, EMPIRE needs about 34-1 inch of water once a week, either from natural rainfall or irrigation. If you have sandier soils, you may need to split your watering (still only 1 inch) to twice per week to avoid wilt during hot and dry periods. Too much water can cause turfgrass disease.
6. Apply a fungicide if lower than average temperatures and wet conditions are in the forecast. If you had a disease in your EMPIRE in the past or have quite a bit of shade in the yard, you will want to apply a systematic fungicide to prevent future outbreaks.

SUMMER:

1. Mow once a week and never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade with each mow. If you remove more the grass will stress going brown for a short while. If you go on vacation, you may have to mow a couple f times to get the grass back to its desired height, waiting 3-5 days between each mowing.
2. Be careful not to over water the grass. EMPIRE blades will curl up when it needs water. Water for longer periods of time, less frequently and in the early morning hours.
3. Always take rainfall into consideration (See spring watering). If needed, incorporate a soil conditioner to increase your soil’s ability to retain moisture and reduce irrigation needs.
4. Fertilize with a heavier rate of Nitrogen compared to spring and fall application rates, using 1 lb N/1000 sq. ft., equal to 6.67 lbs of a 15-0-15. Pay attention to blackout periods in your area. Use a slow release Nitrogen product prior to the blackout and something more soluble following the blackout in fall.

FALL

1. Apply “winterizing” fertilizer using a lighter rate, 0.5 lb N/1000 sq ft. for an 8-0-16 use 6.25 lb N/1000 sq ft. or for a 10-0-20 use 5 lbs/1000 sq ft. Following a blackout period, use a soluble fertilizer.
2. Apply fungicide. This will help the grass enter the colder months in a healthier state. You will likely need multiple applications, remembering to wait 21 days between.
3. Treat with broad-spectrum insecticide. If using a granular, make sure to water the lawn immediately after application to help it get into the soil. Make sure it offers control for billbugs and mealy bugs.
4. You will mow less in the cooler fall months. Leave your EMPIRE Turf lawn slightly higher than normal to encourage deeper root growth for winter by adjusting your mower settings to go up one notch.
5. Water less. As temperatures drop grasses don’t need as much irrigation so adjust your schedule accordingly.
6. If you haven’t had problems with winter weeds in the past, you can forgo herbicide in the fall. However, if you do get winter weeds, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide for prevention.

WINTER

1. Maintain your EMPIRE lawn, mow and water less in the colder months.

Herbicides

Clemson University – Evaluation of EMPIRE Zoysiagrass at Elevated Rates of Herbicides

Drought

Texas A&M – Drought Tolerance & Drought Resistance – EMPIRE

Roberto Gurgel – Drought Tolerance Mechanisms for EMPIRE Turf

Fertilization & Deficit Irrigation

University of Florida – Fertilization, Deficit Irrigation and Nutrient Leaching Study

Mowing Frequency

Ozbreed Australia – Mowing Height and Frequency Among Turf Varieties

Erosion Control

Australia Crop & Nursery Service – Soil Strength

Research in Progress

Texas A & M, Dallas, TX – Drought Study – LGIS (Linear Gradient Irrigation System)

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM – Drought Study

Ruskin, FL – New Zoysias entries evaluations – Ongoing

More research upcoming