Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site hplabs.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!hplabs!piety From: piety@hplabs.UUCP (Bob Piety ) Newsgroups: net.garden Subject: Re: Grass Message-ID: <2041@hplabs.UUCP> Date: Mon, 15-Jul-85 12:04:14 EDT Article-I.D.: hplabs.2041 Posted: Mon Jul 15 12:04:14 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 17-Jul-85 06:14:31 EDT References: <11461@brl-tgr.ARPA> <770@aluxe.UUCP> Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA Lines: 34 > And, I am still waiting for a varity of grass that will grow > to a fixed height of 2-4 inches. Think what that will do to > the lawn industry. BTW-does anyone else think there is a > conspiracy to keep such a grass from being developed and/or > marketed ? > I've found what appears to be close-- at least for those in warm regions of the country (south of San Francisco). It is called Emerald Zoysia. It is a sub-tropical grass that is weed-resistant, drought-resistant, weed-resistant, disease-resistant, and very rugged. It grows rather slowly to a height of about 4" and one can *get-by* with only mowing 2 - 3 times per year, although you can keep it closely mowed if you like. Its drawbacks are that it doesn't tolerate shade, is tough to mow, and goes dormant in the winter. Although I've recently planted some, the above information comes from books and others. There are several varieties of Zoysia, varying in, amongst other factors, in coarseness. The finest, Zoysia Tenuifolia (Korean Grass), only grows to about 1/16" wide and 2" long, but is clumpy and very slow to spread. The coarsest is Zoysia Japonica, grows to about 3/8" wide and 6-8" long. Emerald Zoysia is a hybrid of these two, both of which I do have some experience with. Zoysia doesn't solve all grass problems but, I believe, is the answer for people in warm regions who don't like a lot of lawn maintenance. By the way, I could not find any place in California with Emerald Zoysia and finally had to air-freight it in from Georgia. Please don't ask how much the shipping cost. 8^) Bob