Great velvety texture and uniform color make zoysia grass a common choice for creating breathtaking lawns in most American houses. Due to its versatile and robust nature, the grass can handle high temperatures, heavy foot traffic, and salt to give you a gorgeous green turf.
Another reason behind its popularity is low-maintenance. You just need to feed it with approximately an inch of water every week. When the grass becomes three inches tall, you must mow it to maintain a height of one to two inches. Keep them longer in the fall and shorter in spring.
Make sure you do not wait too long before mowing the lawn because if the grass becomes too long, you may end up cutting the stems instead of the leaves. So, maintaining a trimming schedule is essential to have a well-kept turf and toss the clippings onto the lawn for a natural nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
You must also keep in mind to not mow in the early mornings or after heavy rain as a damp thatch can become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Having said that, let’s take a look at some of the most popular mowers online to help you choose the best mower for zoysia grass. Read on to find our unbiased reviews.
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– Our Top Pick! – Fiskars 17 Inch Staysharp Push Reel Lawn Mower
#1. Fiskars 18 Inch Staysharp Max Reel Mower
This 18-inch eco-friendly reel mower from the house of Fiskars sports a smart design with sharp blades the offer a precise and clean cut. The mower is manually hand-driven without the need for changing oil, gasoline, or charging the battery. It also does not require electrical cords or produce a loud noise.
The use of advanced technology blended with perfect ergonomics makes StaySharp Max Reel Mower much easier to push than other reel mowers. With the power of InertiaDrive Reel, the mower offers enhanced cutting power to chew through weeds, twigs, and tough spots that cause a jam.
We are impressed by the StaySharp Cutting System that uses premium grade and hardened steel blades to cut the grass without touching. This significantly reduces the friction and also blade wear to give you a much long-lasting performance, without the need for annual blade sharpening.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 24 x 23.5 x 14.25 inches
- Weighs 52 pounds
- 18-inch cut width
- StaySharp Cutting System
- VersaCut Technology
- InertiaDrive Reel
- Inset wheel design
- Limited 3-year warranty
User/ Customer reviews
People have said that this push mower is easier to work through a lawn with steep slopes and hilly terrain, although it’s a bit hard to push uphill. Users have also remarked how well this unit cuts tall grass and even works on wet grass if needed, something that powerful mower are unable to achieve. A few customers have also mentioned the ease of pulling it out for a quick trim with any gasoline or oil hassles.
Conclusion
If you want to save money and fuel while maintaining a small yard or lawn, then the Staysharp Max Reel Mower is the best bet. It not only gives you a good workout but also saves you fuel and time spent in getting the fuel and filling it up to make the mower ready for use. However, please bear in mind that this is a manual push mower, which may not be suitable for large lawns.
#2. Great States 304-14 Push Reel Lawn Mower
Unlike the rotary mowers that tear grass blades exposing the vital fluids to insect attacks and diseases, this push reel mower from the house of Great States have superior blades that cut grass like a pair of scissors. There is no tearing or ripping involved in the process, so you get a clean and precise cut for a healthier lawn.
This is an eco-friendly and no-cord push reel mower that has no engine that uses gas or oil to run or key to remember. The easily adjustable cutting blade allows you to adjust the height between 0.5″ and 1.75” for a smooth and clean cut every time you push. No hassles of running to the gas station or store for fuel.
The mower blades are also made from high-quality alloy steel that is heat-treated to last longer. The T-style handle comes with a cushioned grip to help you move the mower around with comfort and the compact design makes it easier to store when not in use. The 8.5 inches composite wheels make it easy to push and cut without any emissions or noise.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 20 x 24 x 42.5 inches
- Weighs 2.2 pounds
- 5 blade ball bearing reel
- Made from ally steel
- Easy height adjustment
- Lightweight at only 21 LBS
- T-style cushioned handle
- Easy and tool-free assembly
User/ Customer reviews
People who hate using gas or oil for a manicured lawn are extremely pleased with the ability of this manual mower to cut grass precisely. A few users have warned that you may need to do some extra passes to cut to your desired size and get that neat look but ultimately it’s worth all that effort. Some customers have also warned about rust but you really need to store it back after use or else it may get brown spots.
Conclusion
If you hate the smell of gas or you have fussy neighbors who hate the mowing noise, your best bet is to invest in this well-built Push Reel Lawn Mower. It has really sharp blades, an ergonomic handle, and adjustable height to help you trim even the taller grasses with ease. Overall, this is a good product worth your money.
#3. Fiskars 17 Inch Staysharp Push Reel Lawn Mower
We love Fiskars for making mowers that are not only gentle on earth but good for the community too. Their Staysharp Push Reel Lawn Mower is yet another well-built unit that wins our heart with smart and eco-friendly design. It offers a clean and precise cutting with the need for oil, gasoline, electric power, or battery charge.
With the help of advanced InertiaDrive technology, it’s 30 percent easier to push the StaySharp Reel Mower than any other standard lawn mower. The thicker blades and InertiaDrive cutting reel also delivers 50 percent more power to cut grass and chew down weeds, twigs, and tough spots to avoid a jam.
Unlike an ordinary reel mower, the StaySharp Cutting System does not come directly in contact with the ground. This ensures that the blades remain sharp and mowing becomes easier. The manufacturer stands behind the product and backs it up with a lifetime warranty.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 23.5 x 18 x 13.8 inches
- Weighs 40.1 pounds
- 1.5 to 3.5-inch cut height range
- 17-inch cut width
- No annual sharpening needed
- 30% easier to push
- 50% more cutting power
Users/ Customers reviews
People are totally thrilled with the ability of this lawn mower to maneuver around the curved edges and easily deal with pine cones and twigs. Users also find the cutting height adjustability extremely useful as it makes mowing more enjoyable. Some customers have also said that they enjoy the freedom from using fuel and the little workout that this thing offers.
Conclusion
This is a well-built and smartly designed lawn mower that only needs a push to cut grass and gives your lawn an attractive look. However, you must not wait for the grass to become too tall, or else it will be too difficult to use this garden equipment. Overall, we feel that this is a quiet and simple to use the mower for small lawns or yards.
#4. Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower with Grass Catcher
With this self-propelled Greenworks reel lawn mower; you can express your love and concern for the environment as it releases zero emissions and mows gently. It houses a 16-inches cutting path that gets the job done more efficiently and quickly than any other standard equipment.
The 2-in-1 feature of this lawn mower comes with mulching capabilities and has a rear bag to catch the grass clippings and other debris. The 4 position height adjustment ranging between 1 1/8″ and 2 1/4″ help you cut different types of grass with precision.
With the 10-inches front wheels and 2-inches rear rollers, you can maneuver across the lawn hassle-free. There’s no rush for filling up fuel, no tune-ups, or maintenance required. The manufacturer stands behind the product and offers a solid 4-year warranty.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 22 x 47 x 29.75 inches
- Weighs 26 pounds
- ZERO carbon footprint
- 16″ Cutting width
- 10″ Wheel size
- 4 position height adjustment
- No gas emissions
- Rear bag capabilities
- 4-year manufacturer warranty
User/ Customer reviews
Environment-conscious users find this lawn mower easy to install and quiet enough to not disturb the neighbors or pets. Some customers have also mentioned that this may not be the most durable garden equipment in the market but they don’t mind ordering again because it’s so light and cuts so precisely to give you a neat lawn. A few users have warned that the handle bends if you apply too much pressure.
Conclusion
This is a great eco-friendly, no-emissions, no-hassles lawn mower that is the perfect fit for small yards. It is easy to adjust to the right cutting height and easy to push, and maneuver around the lawn. The grass catcher attached the back works as a bonus to catch the clippings and reduce your cleaning time. Overall, you get good value for money.
#5. American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 Push Reel Lawn Mower
If you lack enough storage space for a heavily built mower, check out this Push Reel Lawn Mower from the house of American Lawn Mower Company. This is perhaps one of the most compact garden equipment with a 4-blade reel that offers enhanced versatility for various grass types like fescue, rye, crab grass and so on.
The device comes with a 14-inch cutting width to precisely cut thick grass. It includes 8.5-inches composite wheels and polymer wheels with a 4-blade ball bearing reel for easy maneuverability. With adjustable cutting height ranging between 0.5″-1.75″, you get a sharp scissor-like cut each and every time.
The cutting blades are superior quality, made from heat-treated alloy steel to keep them sharp for a long time. As this is an eco-friendly, manual-driven, self-propelled mower, it saves you fuel and time spent in getting fuel and adding to the mower to make it ready to use.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 20 x 24 x 42.5 inches
- Weighs 20 pounds
- 14″ Cutting width
- Polymer wheels with a 4-blade ball bearing reel
- 8.5″ Composite wheels
- Adjustable cutting height
- Scissor action cut
- Ergonomic T-shaped handle
User/ Customer reviews
People with autism have remarked how easy and gentle this zoysia grass mower works without creating loud noise or vibrations that make them feel uneasy. Users have said that this mower is easy to put together and feels a little childish but does the job really well. Some reviewers warned that this will not cut the grass as well as a gas mower, but nevertheless you will be pleased with the results.
Conclusion
Yes, your spouse and neighbor may laugh at you for trying to mow with this Push Reel Lawn Mower, but trust me, it’s worth the time and money spent. The compact shape makes it easy to store and the lightweight lets you mow while holding a toddler. Overall, this is a good choice for a small yard.
Rotary Vs Reel Mower
Gardeners are often divided between rotary and reel mowers when it comes to choosing the right one for zoysia grass. The rotary unit is usually powered by 2-cycle or 4-cycle gasoline engines, and they feature helicopter-like blades that utilize force to chop grasses.
The reel mower on the other hand cuts grass like a pair of scissors. When you push the self-propelled tool, it slices through grass, twigs, and leaves to give you a clean cut. Although both the rotary and reel type of mower may be used for trimming, we recommend the reel mowers for their scissor-like method.
The clean-cut by reel mowers prevents the tips of the grass from turning yellow or brown. When regularly maintained with a sharp reel blade, the Zoysia grass wears a royal carpet-like appearance. When you use a reel mower, it also prevents scalping and clipping clumps.
However, at times the zoysia grasses may get neglected and go out of hand. In such cases, you need the more powerful rotary lawn mower to cut the tough stems. Remember that no matter how tall the grass grows, you must always cut only one-third of the height at a time.
Some gardeners prefer the two-blade system, where the blades are sharpened after every 6 or 8 use. A rotary mower may be used to maintain a zoysia grass lawn if you choose species like the Cashmere or El Toro.
Tips For Mowing A Zoysia Grass Lawn
Zoysia grass lets you create that carpet-like appearance on your lawn or yard when it’s maintained regularly at the right height. We recommend the reel mower for its precise and sharp cuttings. Here are a few tips that you need to keep in mind to get the best results:
- Make sure the blades are always sharp because if they are dull then they will fray or tear the tops instead of cutting them precisely, resulting in a brownish appearance.
- The reel mowers use more pus-effort to give a neat and well-manicured look to the lawn, hence the mower blades should always be sharp.
- Always choose the right type of zoysia grass such as the El Toro or Empire that produces a softer leaf and less thatch. The Empire has broader and softer leaves that are pleasant to walk on.
- Horsepower is not the ultimate when it comes to cutting zoysia grass. Even with a powerful gas-powered mower, you may not get satisfactory results if the blades are not sharp.
- Even you have a powerful mower, it could not give your zoysia grass a clean-cut simply because the blades are not sharp.
- If the grass grows too long, cut one-third at a time, wait for a few days and cut again to get the desired height. Avoid cutting wet grass to prevent clumps.
Related Questions
What’s the idea water requirement for zoysia grass
The zoysia grass is drought resistant, hence its water requirement is half of the cool-season lawn grass. They need about ½ to 1 inch of water each week through rainfall or watering. Those who want the grass to stay green and growing in dry summer may need to water.
How much sunlight does it need
Unlike the Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass requires full sun for optimum growth but it can also tolerate some light shade. In drought-like conditions, the grass may turn yellow and remain dormant until it gets adequate water again.
How much fertilizer is needed for zoysia grass
You may need to add fertilizer to encourage a decent but not a very extreme growth. As per the lawn experts, when the zoysia grass grows actively, you must feed it with 2-4 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 sq ft.
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