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Message
New Empire Zoysia - Rotary vs Reel Mower
Posted on 7/21/25 at 3:48 pm
Posted on 7/21/25 at 3:48 pm
About two months ago, I replaced my centipede lawn with Empire Zoysia (backyard \~3,500 sq ft). So far, it’s been a big upgrade—thicker, healthier-looking grass—but it’s definitely a different animal when it comes to mowing.
I’ve always used a ride-on mower and mulched, but with how dense this grass is, I’m planning to bag clippings more often to cut down on clumps (and the grass my kids track into the house).
I really wanted a high-end Honda gas push mower, but they’ve become unicorns since being discontinued. Everything I came across locally was either a Toro or Troy-Bilt, and nothing had the weight or blade speed I was looking for.
I’ve thought about trying a reel mower—yard could still use a bit more leveling, but I already did a light topdress that helped. I’d like to mow at 1.5", maybe a little lower if I can avoid scalping.
I ended up grabbing the Milwaukee electric mower over the weekend, just to have something in the meantime. Honestly? Impressed. It’s got decent weight, spins at 3,300 rpm, bagged like a champ, and handled my entire 8,500 sq ft yard on one charge.
Curious...should I take the plunge into reel mowing? Would love to hear what’s worked for others with Empire Zoysia
I’ve always used a ride-on mower and mulched, but with how dense this grass is, I’m planning to bag clippings more often to cut down on clumps (and the grass my kids track into the house).
I really wanted a high-end Honda gas push mower, but they’ve become unicorns since being discontinued. Everything I came across locally was either a Toro or Troy-Bilt, and nothing had the weight or blade speed I was looking for.
I’ve thought about trying a reel mower—yard could still use a bit more leveling, but I already did a light topdress that helped. I’d like to mow at 1.5", maybe a little lower if I can avoid scalping.
I ended up grabbing the Milwaukee electric mower over the weekend, just to have something in the meantime. Honestly? Impressed. It’s got decent weight, spins at 3,300 rpm, bagged like a champ, and handled my entire 8,500 sq ft yard on one charge.
Curious...should I take the plunge into reel mowing? Would love to hear what’s worked for others with Empire Zoysia
This post was edited on 7/21/25 at 3:50 pm
7
Posted on 7/21/25 at 4:13 pm to ram03reg
My understanding is that zoysia is fine with either mower type but that it will minimize thatch when cut at or below 2.5”.
If you let it go beyond 2.5” and especially if you don’t bag clippings that it’s supposed to dramatically increase thatch issues.
If you let it go beyond 2.5” and especially if you don’t bag clippings that it’s supposed to dramatically increase thatch issues.
Posted on 7/21/25 at 4:17 pm to ram03reg
quote:
Curious...should I take the plunge into reel mowing?
1. Zoysia is difficult to cut with a manual reel and you have far too big of an area.
2. If you go with a gas powered reel mower are you ready to cut every 3 days?
LINK
This post was edited on 7/21/25 at 4:18 pm
Posted on 7/21/25 at 4:29 pm to bayoubengals88
I would go with the gas powered reel mower.
Right now, I wouldn't mind cutting every few days but I am only 2mo into the new lawn (honeymoon phase).
Right now, I wouldn't mind cutting every few days but I am only 2mo into the new lawn (honeymoon phase).
Posted on 7/21/25 at 5:27 pm to ram03reg
I cut my Empire with a Honda rotary every 4-5 days right now. It's thick thick.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 7:05 am to ram03reg
I have about 3/4 of an acre worth the palisades. Because of my yard configuration I basically push the grass to my back pasture where there isn't zoysia or towards the front of the property. The result is I end up mowing my yard twice in order to push the clippings as best as I can. Really want to invest in a bagger for the zero turn, but can't quite justify the purchase right now. I'm 3 years in and thatch isn't a problem yet. I cut at 1.5" about every 4 or 5 days.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 12:53 pm to MizunoDude
Downvoted because of what?
1) Ugly yard
2) Use of reel mower
3) Don't want a powered Reel mower
4) cut every 3 days
Curious to know the reason.
1) Ugly yard
2) Use of reel mower
3) Don't want a powered Reel mower
4) cut every 3 days
Curious to know the reason.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 1:05 pm to MizunoDude
quote:This, if I had to guess.
4) cut every 3 days
Posted on 7/22/25 at 1:59 pm to bayoubengals88
Zoysia is a beautiful grass but is a beast to cut and manage clippings. I hve used rotary and zero turn rotary and both are fine. Just have to cut once a week or once every 4/5 days. I would not try to bag the clippings as it would fill up the bag too often.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 3:49 pm to bayoubengals88
Gotcha. Well, keeping it at 1" and not taking more than 1/3 off each cut makes it difficult to go any longer.
Don't mind it as it is good exercise and it looks good over a frosty mug of beer
Don't mind it as it is good exercise and it looks good over a frosty mug of beer
Posted on 7/22/25 at 4:11 pm to ram03reg
Zoysia looks good cut low using a reel will take some time to get used to, and will require some maintenance, reel and bed knife you can find good deals on powered reel mowers
Posted on 7/22/25 at 8:30 pm to ram03reg
My Empire “patch” looks great with my riding mower. It surprisingly grows fast with all the rain we’ve gotten and really needs mowing at least every 5 days.
If you’re going reel, you’ll need to cut more often because you will be cutting it lower.
If you’re going reel, you’ll need to cut more often because you will be cutting it lower.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:04 am to MizunoDude
quote:As someone who maintains bermuda around 1" I'm totally with you. Some people just don't care. Keep on
Gotcha. Well, keeping it at 1" and not taking more than 1/3 off each cut makes it difficult to go any longer.
Don't mind it as it is good exercise and it looks good over a frosty mug of beer
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:14 am to bayoubengals88
quote:
As someone who maintains bermuda around 1" I'm totally with you. Some people just don't care. Keep on
I wish my yard were level enough to cut this low. I enjoy cutting so I don't mind having to do it every other day. Currently at 2.25" and st aug is working its way into the bermuda.
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:42 am to Loup
quote:If mine was truly level I'd go for 5/8" to 3/4"
I wish my yard were level enough to cut this low.
What are you waiting on?! Bring in the sand!
Posted on 7/23/25 at 9:57 am to bayoubengals88
quote:
What are you waiting on?! Bring in the sand!
I buy a few bags every time I pass a tractor supply
Posted on 7/23/25 at 11:43 am to Loup
shite bro just bite the bullet facebook marketplace you can get mason sand for a couple hundred bucks and have some left to do patch jobs im gettin ready to do the same thing
Posted on 7/23/25 at 1:01 pm to ole man
quote:
shite bro just bite the bullet facebook marketplace you can get mason sand for a couple hundred bucks and have some left to do patch jobs im gettin ready to do the same thing
I've bought a half yard or a yard a few times. My problem is I don't have anywhere other than the driveway to have a load dumped
Posted on 7/23/25 at 4:44 pm to Loup
I got a big turnaround driveway in back just used the last of it
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