Meyer Zoysia Sod in Atlanta, GA
If you're looking for a zoysiagrass that balances beauty, density, and hardiness in colder climates, Meyer Zoysia is a top choice. Known for being one of the most cold-tolerant zoysiagrass hybrids, it forms a lush, dark-green turf that resists weeds, tolerates wear, and handles a variety of environments.
What is Meyer Zoysia?
Meyer Zoysia is a zoysiagrass variety developed from Zoysia japonica. It is often praised for its dense growth habit, moderate shade tolerance, and an ability to withstand both summer heat and winter cold better than many other zoysias. In many sod-supplier catalogs, it's promoted as being "widely considered the most cold-tolerant of the Zoysia species."
Because of its hardiness, Meyer is commonly used in regions where winters are more severe but summers are still warm-and in areas where homeowners want a durable, beautiful turf that can survive stress.
Characteristics
| Color & Appearance: | Deep, dark green when active, forming a lush, attractive turf |
| Texture & Growth Habit: | Leaves are medium in width (not ultra-fine) and the turf is dense, making it hard for weeds to establish |
| Durability & Wear Tolerance: | Good wear tolerance. Because it's tougher, it's often chosen in regions with foot traffic or moderate use |
| Heat & Cold Tolerance: | Meyer handles summer heat well and is better suited to cold than many warm-season grasses—though it will go dormant and brown in frost or freezing weather |
| Shade Tolerance: | Moderate-Meyer can survive with about 5 hours of sunlight per day. It's not ideal for deep shade or under large tree roots |
| Disease/Weed Resistance: | By virtue of its density, Meyer suppresses many weeds naturally. It's also generally resistant to insect or pest pressures |
According to sod suppliers, the blade width of Meyer lies "in between Emerald and Empire Zoysia" and it offers a "soft to the touch feel with lush green color" while being reasonably tough.
General Maintenance
Mowing:
Maintain Meyer between 1.5 and 2.5 inches. Mow every 7–10 days during the growing period.
Watering:
- During establishment: water daily to soak soil to ~3–4 inches deep. Don’t let sod wilt.
- Once established: In hot seasons, irrigation may be needed daily, whereas in cooler months you can stretch to every 4–7 days.
Fertilization:
- Early spring and late summer:apply a balanced fertilizer (for example, 10-10-10 at ~10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft)
- Soil pH ideal range: about 5.5 to 7.0
Sunlight:
Needs at least ~5 hours of direct sun daily for healthy growth.
Soil & Drainage:
Prefers well-drained soils; avoids prolonged saturation. pH should ideally be slightly acidic to neutral (common for zoysia).
Repair / Recovery:
Because Meyer’s growth is moderate, recovery from damage is slower than very fast-spreading grasses. Use plugs or sod patches during warm seasons.
Disease & Pest Management:
Under good maintenance (proper mowing, watering, fertilizing), disease problems are minimal. It responds to common fungicides like Daconil and others.
Advantages of Meyer Zoysia
- Superior cold tolerance among zoysias
- Dense turf that suppresses weeds
- Good balance of durability and aesthetics
- Moderate shade tolerance compared to some warm-season grasses
- Relatively disease and insect-resistant
Potential Drawbacks
- Slower recovery from damage than aggressive grasses
- Requires smart management of watering and nutrients
- Dormant in winter - turns brown when frost or freezing sets in
- Not ideal in deep shade or under heavy tree-root competition
Is Meyer Zoysia Right for You?
Meyer Zoysia is a strong option if you live in a region with cold winters and warm summers, and you want a beautiful turf that can tolerate both. If your yard sees moderate foot traffic and partial shade, Meyer may serve you well.
But if you expect heavy wear or need fast repair, or if your site is heavily shaded, you might prefer a more aggressive or shade-tolerant grass.
Start Your Free Quote Today
If you're interested in outfitting your Atlanta property with Meyer Zoysia sod, please give us a call or send us an email today for a quote. We are happy to help you achieve the goals you have for your Atlanta property.
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