Zoysia Grass vs Bermuda Grass for Lawns 

Great video Doc. I have both Bermuda and Zoysia on my property in north GA. My front yard has hybrid Bermuda, gets a ton of sun, and does well. In my back yard, I back up to woods that offers greater shade. The zoysia I have back there does really well with strong sun in the morning and dappled sunshine/shade for most of the afternoon. If anyone has a similar yard that gets greater shade, I would recommend using zoysia.

Zoysia seems to do a little better in shade. I live in a hole in the forest and wanted a nice front lawn as the entrance to my home. Cleared the pines and a few other trees in front, but left some of the more ornate trees. Bermuda did great in the spots that received the most sun, but not so well in some shady spots. My grandfather gave me some zoysia seed he had and told me to overseed with it. After a while, it ended up filling in the spots where the Bermuda was struggling. Now I'm the only guy in the area (all wooded) with full knit a green lawn! 😝

Doc, no questions, just a thank you for an expert analysis of bermuda vs. zoysia. My back yard is 3,000 sq. ft. of hybrid bermuda which is 1/2 sod, laid in Oct. 2019, and 1/2 seed put down in June 2020. Couldn't afford sod for all the back yard at the time. I am about to seed 4,500 sq. ft. of Zenith zoysia in the front. There's another 1,500 sq. ft. with long established San Augustine. The back yard is looking great, thanks to your guidance and Andersons. I know the Zoysia will turn out great, too. I'm stocked up on Humichar, Dirt Booster, Green Shocker and PGF Complete. I can't afford a reel mower, yet but it's in the plans for the near future, which I know will make everything look even better. I live on about 5 acres, the remainder of which is pasture comprised of weeds, clover and bahia (a future project). I really enjoy your videos and "no BS information." Thank you again for all of your videos and for your willingness to teach this knucklehead how to have a beautiful lawn. Looking forward to all of your future videos.

Wow Doc this is a awesome video. I love the comparison between the two grass types! I understand you don't care for a stripped up lawn. But your reel mower laid down great strips in the Zoysia. thx, tommy

I finally held up my phone in this video and went to the Cool Season Lawn Guide. Why didn’t I do this sooner? Such a simple but comprehensive guide! Thank you!! Maybe one possible add is making PreM ‘critical’ in the fall? We get killed with poa in the Spring here…

I would think Zoysia's main benefit over Bermuda would be shade tolerance.

Hello Doc. My lawn is 55 acres and I keep it like a country club. I can get it all mowed but Bahia grass has been sprouting up in areas. How do I get rid of it without harming my Bermuda and Zoysia grass? Thank you from a dedicated viewer.

I went from a centipede lawn I babied, loved , and made beautiful to a neglected, weed ridden, bumpy Bermuda lawn. Man it is a LOT of work. Constant spraying to try to get all the weeds under control. Unfortunately, lost of edging, trees, and shrubs so limits the options. Man is it aggressive though. Like the deep green and put a huge amount of effort into my landscape and lawn. Just only have so much time. Wish I had my centipede back.

Both types of grass are great! I had Bermuda SOD that was overseated with Zoysia planted on March 16 this year and lawn was really green when it was planted then 4 weeks later the grass started turning yellow and now its back to green and now I see the Bermuda grass coming out. Grass is looking great!!

Doc, your paver edging still looks great on your recent videos. Would you do anything differently than what you've done? I saw you put pavers directly on round-up grass. I plan to do this also. Wondering if given the second chance, you would put a layer of gravel and sand below paver. Thank you.

I had Zenith sod put in my backyard about seven years ago. Love it. It’s like carpeting

I'm in central California and have Bermuda in my back yard. I have lots of shade and about 75% of lawn has bare spots. considering changing to zoysia. is that a good idea? if so, can I seed over or need to kill Bermuda

Hey doc Always great videos I honestly learned a lot from your channel. I was wondering if you can do more videos on cool season grass types I’m in New Jersey a lot of lawns have fescue over here because were more like in a transitional zone plenty of rye and blue grass here to Based on some research I’ve done I even saw that there are some lawns to have some warm season grasses over here but if you were and far between mainly far south

Hi Doc... In my personal experience, I have both, The Zoysia seems to do much better in the shade. That's Empire Zoysia.

Your zoysia looks so different than the zoysia I’ve seen before. I’m used to seeing that almost carpet like zoysia. Yours looks like a St Augustine almost. Glad you mentioned that 😀. Looks like your zoysia has a forgiving cut like fescue too.

So we moved into a new home a year and a half ago and I'm pretty sure the previous owners planted common bermuda underneath a tree that basically let no sun through ever. Pretty soon after we moved in we were forced to plant some chainsaw bermuda because the tree was dying. Now I have the common spreading into the bare spots, but I obviously prefer the hybrid. Do I have any options to promote just the hybrid growth, or am I just stuck? Also, thanks for all your videos, I have watched a ton of hours and learned a lot from you!

Good info. I cut my zoysia atabout 3.5" if I try to cut it shorter it's looks brownish and it drowns out the green. I'm guessing that's because of the thatch?

Hello doc how are you today I hope you're having a good day doc I'm one of your subscribers and I watch every video you make and I've got a question that's been bugging me I don't want to know your address or anything but I practically growed up in the KOA campground on the weekends at Jekyll Island through my childhood I was wondering what island is the beach house on is it jackal cuz it kind of looks like it and I have literally rode bicycles all over that Island

Hey Doc I have Zoysia in my side yard. Have not done anything to it in the 2 years since I've purchased the house. It's beautiful but very thick. Almost too thick. Lots of dead grass underneath the green. Would you suggest using a power rake on it this time of year? TIA

Hey Doc. Curious if you have ever dealt with sprigs and what your thoughts are on them.

When is dirt booster coming back in stock?

@Doc, I have zoysia grass and I love it. Only issue is a have Bermuda in spots that is choking out my zoysia. What spray can I kill the Bermuda but not zoysia??? I don’t like the Bermuda cause it’s a different color green and it don’t look good on my 4 acres of lawn.

We just laid Zoysia Zeon. Its almost double the cost of Tiff Tuff... I though a lot about Bermuda, but there are a few areas it would have access to my neighbor's fescue and was worried about its spread, and also it getting into my beds. The sod is very soft.

Is Zoysia more shade tolerant than Bermuda?

Do you ever pre-germinate your seeds?

Love your videos. May I ask about centipede grass? I don't see a care plan for it. What are your thoughts?

HI Doc great video as always. Does anyone make a residential riding reel mower ?

The major difference is if you mess up zoysia you can possibly be screwed!!! Bermuda is very hard to just completely mess up or kill for that matter. Worst case scenario you scalp and start o we next year. Also you can spray or lay out dam near anything on Bermuda. So many options to repair or maintain Bermuda

As usual, great video. I’m getting ready to put down some Zoysia in a specific area because it handles shade better. That said, there is Zeon Zoysia as well.

Can you help me get rid of burweed? Bought new house in January and lawn hasn’t been cared for. Also what to use after I get rid of burweed(what fertilizer should I get? Thank you I’m advance!

Hello Doc I do not have the money to get a 2000 reel mower so I was going to get a Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 24-Volt iON+ Cordless Push Reel Mower Kit | W/ 4.0-Ah Battery, Charger, and Rear Collection Bag. I have a push mower and its lowest cut height is one inch what do you think?

Grass? Not sure which one I have. But I know I have plenty dandelions, clover, creeping charlie, … maybe next year, when things get under control, I might figure out which grass is trying to make a living on my yard. Too many great videos to watch and learn before I do too much damage (either to the weeds or to the grass)

Zoysia will choke out Bermuda. I have both common and Princess 77 Bermuda and my Empire Zoysia chokes is out. Slow and steady wins the race

👋🏽My yard is corroded(ing) how can I fix it? No grass, lots of tree roots above ground. Soil washed away...🕊

110 in Phoenix Arizona which I'm sure is too hot to put down fertilizer even for warm season grass.

What do you think about the Allett Stirling 51 (20”) 56v EGO Battery reel mower? Couldn’t find a 25inch one

I have Zoysia which I bought from Zoysia farms nursery in MD, not sure which type it is, but I buy it in sheets that are then cut into plugs. As a matter of fact, I just got a new shippment Saturday to plug my back yard. My question for you, Doc, is why are you watering the Zoysia? One of the addded bennnefits to Zoysia is that it doesn't need that much water, and thats what makes it a great warm season turf. I only water occasionally in the hottest part of the summer if it starts getting really dry. My two biggest drawbacks with the Zoysia is that despite what people say about it growing in shade, it will not grow in shade, even after being established, it will not spread into the shady areas. Secondly, I have about a five foot wide swath of area along my front walk that has never taken due to my house having a slight decline from the road to the house, thus leaving the area too damp during much of the year, June through September being the exception. Now I do live in Central VA, so the temps are a little cooler than GA and other southern areas. Just my two cents.

What about St. Augustine Grass ? I live in Tampa Florida. How do you care for this type of grass please.

Every Zoysia lawn I have ever seen has dog urine spot on it. Are Bermuda lawns as susceptible to dog urine damage like the Zoysia?

Can you spray super juice on a lawn with no sprinkler system? It hasn't rained here in a long time.

Doc: what’s the reason you’re catching the zoysia clippings at the beach but don’t catch the Bermuda clippings at home?

Hi Doc....i am from Portugal, i have a question, your bermuda seeds is the same like Cynodon dactylon seeds?....because here in Portugal , I only find for sale this type of bermuda grass seeds.

There is no way the briggs is as good as the honda. If you're keeping the mower 10 years or more, pay for the Honda!

People out here trying to get just one type of turf to thrive - this guy got 15 types of turf looking good in one state and Bermuda dominating the neighborhood in another state (the jealousy is real)

Hey Doc you need to start put some humichar and start getting that soil building up and then get your dirt booster cranking . But I don’t see humichar!

I cut 25,000 sq. ft of Bermuda. I keep it at just over a half inch. I just leveled the sides and back due to a lot of Contruction and it looks fantastic. The front is struggling with dollar spot and I believe some grub damage. I have been using the prophesy and also a spray to try and kill the dollar spot. But it always comes back. Should I expect it to keep coming back every year, or can it finally be tuned out over time? I use a reel mower and I bag it when the dollar spot is present, and it's a pain in the rump. But I really am at a loss on how to eliminate it.

Doc got a question?? I know your a pre emergent guy is it possible to throw down Bermuda seed on a soil that has pre emergent. I always thought pre emergent stopped weed seeds from germination. Would that be the same for grass seeds.

Hey Doc, I can only click on the zoysia down load and never see the bermuda one, so I was thinking they are the same schedule, is that correct? Thanks Tom

Any ideas for shaded areas? I did fescue for years and than put a non-big box store Bermuda down. Does great, but with wetlands behind me, the trees obviously won’t give it the sun it wants. What’s an option for growth under shaded, non mind blowing sun areas? I’m getting ready to mix Bermuda again with some fescue to bring it back with PGF complete. I’m in Va, so weather temps are some what on par with yours.

I live in nj ..could you recommend the best but also cheaper lawn option for a lawn that’s mostly in the sun? Plus I have a lot of sand instead of full soil so I would need a lawn that can handle that. Thanks

Hey doc got a question about new Bermuda sod. I know the lawn guide talks some about this, but how would you fertilize new sod? PGF complete or Greenshocker? Also, it’s only been down for 3 days. Should I wait to fertilize?

Hey, Doc. Thanks for the information. Tell me, is half an inch a too low a height for zoysia. Or would you suggest 1 inch to be optimum cutting height.

My mom & dad had Zoyzia in their front yard that they put out in plugs and they did NOTHING to it all summer, and it stayed thick and green all summer. I know. I was cutting it. It was hard just to push the mower through it.

My Bermuda is struggling in an area where there is shade. I thought about adding Zoysia in that area since it doesn't require as much sun. But I heard that Zoysia will eventually take over the whole yard. Is this true?

When did start your weed management practice on the zoysia lawn,(both pre and post-emergents)

Hey! Huge fan of the channel. Thanks for everything. You mentioned a rotary motor causes brown spots on Bermuda. Why is that?

What do you recommend for the new zoysia sprouts to control weeds, crab grass …. Thanks

Hey doc, around the 4:57 mark you mention the scalp marks with Bermuda if you’re using a rotary later in the season. I run into that yearly about this time and just raised on my last mow to 2.25 from 1.75 as I do yearly at this time. Would rescalping to 1.5 inches and mowing at 1.75 fix that or should I just keep it at 2.25?

Are you worried about the Bermuda creeping into your zoysia along the fence? How do you plan to keep it out?

Doc, I’m having an issue with my rose bushes being eaten by squirrels do you have any suggestions of how to keep them away

Dirt Booster can be used on your lawns? I thought it was only for gardens.

Zoysia takes FOREVER to germinate!!! I too like both.

Fortunately zoysia and bermuda look decent together.

How do you think if my lawn is Bahia and wanna mix in Bermuda seed to fill in a bad area

My Arden 15 popped up today 😎 Bermudagrass FTW

Hey Doc, I seeded with Super Sod Zenith Zoysia a month ago and half of my lawn is coming in just fine (with A LOT of weeds though), and the other half is completely bare. hardly anything is growing in it. I amended both exactly the same (per soil test recommendations) and both receive the same amount of water. the bare section just gets less sun over the day. Should I reseed in the same season if nothing has come up in 4 weeks?

Love your videos. Thanks for the great informative content. I live in st aug and just bought a property with st aug turf and it looks great right now but I'm just not in love with it in comparison to some of my bermuda lawn neighbors. Do you have any suggestions? Can i add Bermuda seed to my st aug turf?

Hello Doc.. is your Andersons promotion still going on?

I have a Zenith Zoysia front yard, and the only down side, when compared to my Bermuda backyard, is it is not nearly as drought resistant. If you don’t keep it watered, it gets very weak. Other than that, I love it.

I applied a granual pre emergent last month, how soon can I put down sod or seed around the already established Bermuda lawn? Thank you for all the information! Your videos have helped me out tremendously!

Great info. Is there a specific reason you picking up the cuttings?

hello! you have answer a lot o questions I had, great video and enjoy that beautiful grass.

Doc - love the videos. Your advice has helped my lawn tremendously. One question - and sorry if you may have answered it before. Will there ever be a St. Augustine lawn care guide? In absence of that, I've been following the Bermuda lawn care guide for my St. Augustine. Results are good so far but curious if you would advise that or not?

Isn't Zoysia more of a Vine than a grass ??

Beautiful property!! I bet your neighbors love you bringing in this beauty ...

First? First. Cool. Love your videos.

Nice video Doc. Sometimes its just nice to hear people talking grass even if its not new info or instructional.

I prefer Sinsemilla grass for my lawn.

First Aussie 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

I love my Meyer zoysia! Zenith is very similar in looks

Compadre Zoysia is available in seed as well.

Compadre Zoysia also comes in seed

What’s going on with the farm

Will Zoysia grow in shaded areas?

Is Zoysia better for shaded areas?

I think the zoysia does better than Bermuda in partial shade.

Thanks Doc great video.

Great video Doc! Thanks for the info

Zoysia looks beautiful!

My 2 favorite grasses!

Thanks Doc!