Zoysia and Bermuda are both excellent grass types in different situations. Zoysia grass is slow to become established, but once it crowds out just about anything that happens to be in its territory, it’s there to stay. Strong metal edging is one of the few ways to keep it from spreading. Bermudagrass, on the other hand, is quick to establish but takes a lot of resources to keep going and it’s susceptible to a greater range of pests and diseases.
Mixing grass types is a popular strategy when a yard is large, has different sun and soil type zones, or if there is a pest problem in an area where a certain grass type is already established. In many climates and situations, this is a great strategy and one I have employed to keep lawns green and even for as long as possible. However, some grass types are not meant to be mixed- like a zoysia/bermuda mix.
Can I Mix Zoysia and Bermuda Grass Seeds?
You could mix zoysia and bermudagrass. This is not recommended though. Within one to two seasons, depending on the type of zoysia grass you are establishing, you may notice that the zoysiagrass is beginning to or has completely overtaken the bermuda grass. While this does mean that the zoysia is healthy and is doing its best, you are going to lose the benefits you were hoping the Bermuda grass was going to bring to your lawn.
Zoysiagrass and Bermuda Mix: Why It’s a Bad Idea
While not a combination that will prevent one of these two grass types from becoming established, it may not be worth your while to combine zoysia and bermuda grasses for the following 4 major reasons.
Zoysia is “Invasive”
Zoysia grass does not do well in places where it frosts in winter or when other grasses might go dormant due to low temperatures. However, in any place where there is no danger or very little danger of frost, zoysia thrives. Though it is slow to establish, once it has a hold on a spot, zoysia is unlikely to be able to be removed. This has earned it the label of “invasive” on several lists. However, if carefully controlled and well cared for, zoysia makes an excellent lawn, just not one that mixes well with other grass types season-to-season.
Thatch Build-Up
Bermuda grass doesn’t produce a lot of thatch. It’s also a low-growing grass due to its stolon-type growth habit. Zoysia, on the other hand, can grow up quickly and must be mown frequently. In its ideal climate, a zoysiagrass lawn will need to be dethatched at least twice a year for best results.
If the thatch is left in place, it can further harm any underlying plant life as well as the soil. This thatch build-up can harm any bermudagrass struggling to keep up with the zoysia grass by preventing the blades of Bermuda grass from getting enough direct sun exposure.
Water Requirements
With a zoysia/bermuda mix, water uptake is the only arena in which bermudagrass has an advantage. Bermudagrass can take up and hold much more than its required 1 inch a week, unlike zoysia. However, zoysia is more “water smart” as it won’t take up or use more moisture than it needs. This can lead to zoysia grass gradually weakening in a drought situation if it’s competing against bermuda grass, all other factors being equal.
Sun Requirements
There is almost no grass type that gets along well with zoysia over time if the zoysia is healthy. This is the important thing to remember: zoysia grass can never fully thrive in shade. A shade-tolerant grass with a similar growing season and temperature tolerance to zoysia can survive in the shadiest parts of your lawn. However, Bermuda grass requires just as much sun as zoysiagrass and it stops growing before zoysia does, as temperatures rise. This makes it a bad match for this particular scenario.
Will Zoysia Overtake Bemuda?
Yes, zoysiagrass will overtake bermuda grass. That’s one of the perks of having an established zoysiagrass lawn- nothing interrupts its growth. Zoysia, if kept healthy and away from the shade, will crowd out any weeds or other grass types during the warm seasons. While other grass types can share the same space in cooler weather, while the zoysia is dormant, don’t expect these grasses to survive year-to-year as they will be overtaken by the zoysia each summer and fall.
Better Alternatives to a Zoysia/Bermuda Grass Mix
Now that you know mixing zoysia and bermuda isn’t the best choice, you may be wondering what is. If you’re looking to mix something with zoysia, for example, the only options you have to work with are things that won’t be sticking around. Nothing competes on the same level as zoysia when it comes to vigor.
Annual grasses in acceptable climates can be used to “fill in” while zoysia establishes itself on a season-to-season basis. In warm climates, cool-season grasses such as bluegrass and fescue can be ideal candidates for this task. These grasses grow quickly and then completely die back as temperatures stay hot in the summer. They won’t compete with the zoysia or risk damaging its progress. In cooler regions, annual ryegrass can be a good choice as it will die off after a season or so, leaving the zoysia with no competition.
Bermuda grass, on the other hand, is something that can be mixed with quite a few different grasses. This is a grass type that shares well with similar grass types like St. Augustine. If you’re looking to plant grass that will grow up quickly and die back as the Bermuda greens up each summer, annual ryegrass is another option worth looking into, if you live in a hot climate.
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