skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Organic Lawn Care
cptk1

Zoysia and Microclover?

12 years ago

I live in NE Kansas (look up for zip code). Summers are very hot and dry (at least lately). The problem is compounded by the fact that my recent construction (about 1 1/2 year old now) has horrible clay soil that dries to a brick very quickly. My backyard is way too big to water by hand and also way too big (thus expensive) to have sprinklers installed. So I'm looking for a low maintenance solution. My thought is to put Zoysia back there. I want to mix it with 10% microclover for even lower maintenance. What are your thoughts? I've never heard of anyone mixing these two. I realize clover is more on the cool season side and Zoysia is warm season. But they are both low maintenance and spreading. And here in the transition zone I figure they will be on about equal footing. Clover is also an attractive option for the back because I do not plan to use any herbicides back there as my family and dogs play there often.

Lastly, do you think Zenith will do well here or am I limited to Meyer? Seeding is a lot less work than plugging.

Comments (3)

  • 12 years ago

    Zoysia is a warm season grass that may not do as well in your area as the people with a vested interest in it (sellers) might indicate. I would talk with the people at your local office of the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service before doing more.

  • 12 years ago

    Well, I have a neighbor a few houses down that had his whole front lawn sodded with Meyer. It is doing great. Yes, it is a little slower to green up in the spring than the surrounding Fescue, but it is very healthy.

    I have discussed lawn grasses with the local Extension Office on numerous occasions. The unfortunate fact is that here in the transition zone, there is simply not a great option when it comes to grass. It's too hot in the summer for cool season grasses and it's too cold in the winter for warm season grasses. So you pretty much just have to pick your poison.

    I actually think the best option would be a Bermuda that can survive the winter. However, the only one that seems to have a real good chance of doing that would be Yukon, which is very expensive. Again, this is a large area where two dogs roam and which doesn't get artificial irrigation, so I'm leery of spending a lot of money on it.

    Most people use Fescue here, and that is what I use in my front yard. The front yard is smaller and I'm willing to invest more maintenance in it because it is seen. There are no dogs running around in it, and I'm willing to overseed this area regularly.

    Fescue is out of the question for the back because it needs too much water here in the summer and because it requires regular overseeding. I need a spreading grass.

    Bluegrass can't survive the summer without serious irrigation.

    Zoysia is actually the perfect choice for the area and situation.

    But that wasn't the question. The question was whether there are any issues I'm not forecasting with mixing 10% microclover with Zoysia.

  • Related Professionals

    Hot Springs Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Port Saint Lucie Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Yakima Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Magog Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · McComb Landscape Contractors · Vicksburg Landscape Contractors · Asheville Landscape Contractors · Columbia Landscape Contractors · Erie Landscape Contractors · Carson City Landscape Contractors · Boise Landscape Contractors · Minneapolis Flooring Contractors · Watertown Flooring Contractors · Eau Claire Flooring Contractors · Twin Falls Flooring Contractors
  • 5 years ago

    I realize this post is several years old; if the author is still on houzz, I'd love to hear your results if you did mix the two. I have a zoysia front lawn and have been thinking about doing the same thing for several years. We also live in the transition zone (though in Virginia) and run into the same problems.

Related Stories
EARTH DAYThe Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn
By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens
Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf
Full Story
237
Sponsored
Peabody Landscape Group
Average rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars8 Reviews
Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting