I remember my father planting some Zoysia Grass in our garden about 30 or so years ago. He planted it in a very rocky area with thin soil and where other grasses wouldn’t grow - ideal conditions for Zoysia. Years later I think Dad wished he hadn’t planted it, because it started to take over everything including other lawn grass that had been painstakingly planted by hand some years prior.
Zoysia Grass is indeed very hardy, needs little water, thrives in almost non existent soil conditions and laughs at salty environments, so it really is ideally suited to Barbados and other tropical environments, especially around the coastline.
Personally, I hate Zoysia Grass. You can’t sit on it as it is too prickly and quite uncomfortable. The strands of grass will poke through a towel or mat and totally destroy the plastic liner of a kit pool. Walking on it without shoes is most unpleasant for the same reason - it’s too prickly.
Zoysia looks very attractive when growing in an area that is cut regularly - it looks like a lush, green carpet, but if it should take hold under a bush or in an area that doesn’t get cut regularly, the grass gets very long and thick making it the perfect nursery for slugs and African snails to lay their eggs and hide out during the day.
When Zoysia gets very long it is difficult to cut as it is so thick, and has stalled many a lawnmower. Any nearby shrubs or flowers beds have to be very clearly defined and regularly maintained or the grass will take over completely and eventually the shrub that it is encroaching upon will die off.
I know there are situations where it is the perfect grass, but for me personally, Zoysia is one of those things that is good from far but far from good. Just my personal opinion.
No comments:
Post a Comment