Soil – Replacement

Q: I have a lot of red clay soil. I’m thinking about replacing my fescue with zoysiagrass. What do you know about a grass called Amazoy?

A:
No matter what grass you choose, you’ll have problems if your soil is heavy red clay. Grasses have thin, fibrous roots that don’t penetrate clay very well. You are welcome to replace fescue with zoysiagrass, but make improving the soil your first priority. Amazoy is the same as ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass, which you can buy inexpensively at local nurseries. Remember that zoysiagrass grows slowly, just an inch or two a year. If you plant plugs eight inches apart into existing fescue, expect to get full coverage in five years.