North Texas lawns face a brutal gauntlet: 100-degree summer scorchers, sudden hard freezes, and dense shade from mature live oaks. Traditional Bermuda grass simply cannot survive these extremes without constant chemical intervention. Homeowners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are tired of pouring endless water and fertilizer onto struggling turf, fighting off chinch bugs, and dealing with stubborn bare patches in shaded areas.
The solution? Zoysia. It is the ultimate premium upgrade for the Texas transition zone. To help you build a barefoot-perfect, golf-course-quality lawn, we have reviewed and ranked the best 10 zoysia grass for north texas. This highly resilient turf naturally chokes out weeds, thrives in up to 40% shade, and requires significantly less mowing and watering than traditional southern grasses.
Whether you are starting from scratch or repairing an existing yard, this comprehensive guide breaks down the top-rated seeds, live plugs, and all-in-one spot repair kits available right now on Amazon. We will help you navigate the options so you can make a confident, informed decision and finally get the lush, green lawn your home deserves.
II. How We Evaluated
To bring you the most authoritative recommendations, we modeled our evaluation after top agronomic research, incorporating data aligned with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommendations for the North Texas Blackland Prairie region. We didn’t just look at what looks pretty in a photograph; we evaluated these products against the harsh reality of the Texas climate.
Our selection criteria focused heavily on:
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Drought Resistance: The ability to survive July and August watering restrictions without dying off.
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Cold Hardiness: Survival rates in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a and 8b, ensuring the grass bounces back after Dallas winter freezes.
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Shade Tolerance: Performance under mature trees where traditional Bermuda typically thins and dies.
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Verified Customer Success: We analyzed hundreds of real Amazon customer reviews to verify establishment speed, packaging quality (for live plugs), and long-term viability.
III. Buying Guide: How to Choose Zoysia for North Texas
Upgrading to Zoysia is an investment in your property’s value and your weekend free time. Here is what you need to know before you buy.
Seeds vs. Plugs
Not all Zoysia can be grown from a bag of seed. Premium hybrid varieties like Empire, Zeon, and Emerald are sterile, meaning they do not produce viable seeds. You can only establish them by planting live plugs or laying sod. Conversely, varieties like Zenith and Compadre have been successfully bred for seed production, offering a much more budget-friendly way to cover large areas.
Matching the Grass to Your Yard
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For Full Sun & High Traffic: Opt for wider-bladed varieties like Empire. They handle dog paws and kids’ cleats remarkably well.
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For Heavy Shade: Look for Zoysia matrella species like Emerald or Zeon. These fine-bladed varieties can thrive on just 4 to 5 hours of dappled sunlight.
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For Extreme Cold Snaps: Meyer (Z-52) and Zenith offer maximum winter hardiness to prevent “winter-kill” during erratic DFW cold fronts.
Soil Preparation in North Texas
North Texas is notorious for its heavy, compact clay. Whether you are throwing down seeds or digging holes for plugs, you must aerate and top-dress with compost or peat moss. Good seed-to-soil contact and well-draining roots are the secrets to a thriving Zoysia lawn.
Quick Comparison Table
Here is a quick overview of our top picks. (For optimal mobile reading, we’ve limited this to the three most important decision-making factors).
IV. The Best 10 Zoysia Grass for North Texas: In-Depth Reviews
1. Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed (2 lb Bag) – Top Overall Pick for Seeding
Product Description: Zenith Zoysia is widely considered the gold standard for seeded Zoysia lawns. This 2-pound bag delivers 100% pure, weed-free seed that grows into a medium-textured, vibrantly dark green turf. Unlike finicky hybrids that require expensive sodding, Zenith allows you to plant a premium lawn using a standard broadcast spreader. It establishes a deep, robust root system that acts as an impenetrable barrier against common Texas weeds.
Price:
Key Features & Benefits:
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100% pure seed (no cheap mulch fillers in this specific bag).
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Deep-rooting system designed for low water and low nutrition requirements.
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Thick canopy naturally crowds out crabgrass and broadleaf weeds.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: The most cost-effective way to cover a large yard; excellent cold hardiness for transition zones.
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Cons: Zoysia seed takes patience—germination can take up to 21 days of consistent watering.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews: Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars. Customers frequently praise the purity of the seed and the beautiful final result. Critical reviews mostly come from users who planted outside the optimal temperature window or let the soil dry out during the 21-day germination phase.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas: Zenith bridges the gap perfectly between the extreme heat of a Texas August and the bitter cold of a February freeze. It simply survives the North Texas transition zone better than almost any other warm-season grass.
Ideal Use Case: Homeowners on a budget who want to establish a brand-new lawn or oversee a large, sunny, weed-cleared area.
2. Sod Solutions EMPIRE Zoysia Grass Plugs (72-Count) – Best for Heat & Drought
Product Description: If your yard is constantly baking in the sun and subjected to heavy foot traffic from kids and pets, EMPIRE Zoysia plugs are your answer. Shipped as 72 live, fully rooted pods, Empire features a slightly wider blade than Emerald and an incredibly aggressive horizontal growth habit. It forms a dense, plush carpet that feels amazing barefoot and recovers quickly from damage.
Price: $54.99
Key Features & Benefits:
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Live, farm-fresh plugs arrive ready to plant and spread.
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Highly resistant to chinch bugs (a massive problem in Texas lawns).
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Goes dormant to protect itself during deep droughts, bouncing back rapidly when rain returns.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Establishes much faster than seed; handles heavy wear-and-tear beautifully.
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Cons: Not quite as shade-tolerant as finer-bladed Zoysia varieties.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews: Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars. Buyers rave about the packaging, noting that the plugs arrive moist, green, and healthy. Reviewers also love how aggressively the runners spread during the peak summer heat.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas: Empire loves the heat. While other grasses fry in the afternoon DFW sun, Empire utilizes that solar energy to push its rhizomes further into the soil, requiring far less irrigation than St. Augustine or Fescue.
Ideal Use Case: Active families with dogs, backyard entertainers, and those with wide-open, full-sun landscapes.
3. Pennington Smart Patch Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed Mix – Best for Spot Repair
Product Description: Lawn damage happens. Whether it’s from dog urine, a harsh winter freeze, or a summer grub infestation, bare spots are an eyesore. Pennington Smart Patch is an ingenious all-in-one repair kit that combines premium Zenith Zoysia seed, professional-grade fertilizer, and water-retaining mulch into one easy-to-use bag. It takes the guesswork completely out of lawn repair.
Price:
Key Features & Benefits:
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Proprietary tackifier prevents the seed from washing away on slopes or during heavy rainstorms.
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Color-changing mulch turns lighter when it is dry, telling you exactly when it’s time to water.
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Contains microbials to fight lawn disease and neutralize soil acidity.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Virtually foolproof application; perfect for dry, windy Texas days since the mulch traps moisture.
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Cons: Yields a small coverage area; it is not cost-effective for planting a whole yard.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews: Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars. Users absolutely love the color-changing mulch indicator. Pet owners frequently mention this is the only product that successfully repairs nitrogen-burned dog spots in their Zoysia yards.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas: The harsh Texas wind can dry out bare seed in hours. The built-in mulch in this mix holds moisture directly against the seed, ensuring successful germination even in our challenging climate.
Ideal Use Case: Homeowners who already have a Zoysia lawn but need to patch up small bare areas, winter-kill zones, or pet damage.
4. Emerald Zoysia Grass Plugs – Best for Shady Texas Yards
Product Description: Often referred to as the “Cadillac of Lawn Grasses,” Emerald Zoysia is visually stunning. It features a very fine, needle-like blade that grows into a dense, dark green canopy. Because it is a hybrid, it must be grown from live plugs. What truly sets Emerald apart is its ability to survive in environments where the sun is heavily blocked by tree canopies or tall fences.
Price: $87.77
Key Features & Benefits:
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Extreme shade tolerance—can survive and spread on as little as 4 hours of dappled sunlight per day.
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Unmatched density creates a literal barrier that weed seeds cannot penetrate.
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Slow vertical growth means less time behind the lawnmower.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: The most luxurious look and feel underfoot; solves shade issues where Bermuda fails.
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Cons: Slower to recover from heavy damage; prone to thatch buildup over the years if not properly aerated.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews: Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. Buyers are thrilled with how it transforms the shady areas under mature oak trees. Some reviewers note it requires a good starter fertilizer to push the initial spread.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas: Older DFW neighborhoods (like those in Richardson, Plano, or Oak Cliff) are full of beautiful, mature live oak and pecan trees. Emerald Zoysia allows you to keep those magnificent trees without sacrificing a green lawn beneath them.
Ideal Use Case: High-end residential properties and manicured lawns with significant tree canopy coverage or shadow-casting architecture.
5. Compadre Zoysia Grass Seed – Best Fast-Establishing Alternative
Product Description:
Compadre is a broadly adapted seeded Zoysia variety known for its excellent blending capabilities and slightly faster establishment time compared to Zenith. It creates a medium-fine texture with a luxurious dark green color that stays greener later into the Texas fall and wakes up earlier in the spring.
Price: $187.77
Key Features & Benefits:
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High turf density and aggressive spreading capabilities.
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Excellent salt tolerance, which helps if you have highly mineralized or alkaline North Texas soil.
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Produces a robust rhizome and stolon system for self-repairing wear tolerance.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Slightly faster early turf development than other seeded varieties; excellent heat and humidity resistance.
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Cons: Because of its popularity, it can sometimes be difficult to find consistently in stock in smaller consumer-sized bags.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews:
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviewers frequently highlight the high germination rate when planted during the optimal soil temperature window (70°F to 80°F).
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas:
Compadre offers winter hardiness that rivals Zenith while providing a slightly finer blade texture. It protects against sudden Dallas freezes while maintaining a stunning aesthetic.
Ideal Use Case:
Large-scale lawn renovations or homeowners who want the aesthetic of a premium hybrid without the massive cost of laying sod.
6. Scotts Turf Builder Zoysia Grass Seed and Mulch – Best All-in-One Coated Seed
Product Description:
Scotts has created an incredibly user-friendly product for DIYers. This 5-pound bag contains a proprietary blend of Zoysia seed coated with a moisture-retaining material and mixed directly with a biodegradable mulch. The coating acts as a sponge, ensuring the seed stays hydrated—a critical factor for Zoysia, which can take 10 to 21 days to sprout.
Price:
Key Features & Benefits:
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Guaranteed 99.9% weed-free seed.
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Coverage is clearly calculated: up to 665 sq. ft. for new lawns or 2,000 sq. ft. for overseeding.
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Coating absorbs twice as much water as uncoated seed.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Backed by a trusted, recognizable brand; greatly improves the chances of germination in hot, dry conditions.
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Cons: You are paying for the weight of the mulch and coating, meaning there is less raw seed per pound compared to a bag of pure Zenith or Compadre.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews:
Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars. Successful reviewers emphasize the absolute necessity of watering twice a day for the first three weeks. Critical reviews usually stem from planting too early in the spring when Texas soils are still cold.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas:
The rapid evaporation of soil moisture is the number one reason grass seed fails in DFW. The built-in mulch and water-absorbent coating act as an insurance policy against the intense afternoon sun.
Ideal Use Case:
First-time DIYers looking for a reliable, widely available product to start a small-to-medium Zoysia lawn.
7. Meyer (Z-52) Zoysia Grass Plugs – Most Cold-Hardy Option
Product Description:
Meyer, also known as Z-52, is the oldest and most established hybrid Zoysia in the United States. It features a medium blade width and creates a turf so dense it naturally suffocates crabgrass and dandelions. Because it is a hybrid, it must be planted via plugs. Its crowning achievement is its unmatched cold tolerance.
Price: $102.99
Key Features & Benefits:
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Bulletproof winter survival.
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Extremely dense, upright growth pattern that looks fantastic when cut with a standard rotary mower.
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Requires minimal nitrogen fertilizer to maintain a deep green color.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Incredible long-term durability; zero anxiety about winter-kill.
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Cons: It tends to lose its green color and go dormant a few weeks earlier in the fall than newer varieties like Palisades or Zeon.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews:
Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars. Buyers consistently praise its longevity. Many reviewers mention that once Meyer establishes a full canopy, they rarely, if ever, have to spray for weeds.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas:
If you live north of Dallas (like in Denton, McKinney, or Frisco), winter storms like the devastating 2021 freeze can wipe out St. Augustine and weaker Zoysia strains. Meyer guarantees survival.
Ideal Use Case:
Homeowners prioritizing long-term lawn survival, winter hardiness, and extreme weed resistance over a late-fall green color.
8. Outsidepride Zenith Zoysia Seed – Best Bulk Value
Product Description:
For homeowners tackling massive lot conversions, buying seed in 2-pound bags isn’t practical. Outsidepride offers Zenith seed in bulk packaging aimed at landscapers and homeowners with large acreage. This is pure, uncoated seed that has been rigorously tested to be weed-free.
Price: $577.70
Key Features & Benefits:
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Pure, raw seed without the added weight of coatings or mulch.
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Produces a medium-textured, cold-hardy turf identical to smaller retail bags of Zenith.
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Lowest cost-per-square-foot coverage available.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Extremely economical for large spaces; high purity rate.
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Cons: Requires the buyer to provide their own starter fertilizer, peat moss topdressing, and strict moisture management, making it less beginner-friendly.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews:
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars. Reviewers strongly advise using a light layer of peat moss to cover the seed and retain moisture. Those who put in the prep work report massive cost savings over laying sod.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas:
As the DFW metroplex expands into areas like Prosper and Celina, lot sizes are getting larger. Sodding half an acre of Zoysia can cost over $10,000. This bulk seed allows you to achieve the same result for a fraction of the price.
Ideal Use Case:
Large lot conversions from weeds or Bermuda to a solid, premium Zoysia turf.
9. ZoysiaPlug.com Starter Package – Best Complete Plug Kit
Product Description:
Starting a lawn from plugs can be back-breaking work in North Texas clay. This comprehensive starter kit solves that problem. It typically includes live, greenhouse-grown Zenith Zoysia plugs (grown individually in tray pods rather than cut from field slabs to prevent root stress), an all-metal auger drill bit, and a specialized spike-base water sprinkler.
Price: $64.99
Key Features & Benefits:
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Plugs arrive fully rooted in their own pods, virtually eliminating transplant shock.
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The included drill auger attaches to a standard power drill, saving hours of manual digging.
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Sprinkler ensures the plugs get the deep, soaking water they need during the first crucial weeks.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: An ingenious, time-saving system; the intact root systems mean the grass starts spreading much faster.
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Cons: Higher upfront cost than buying standalone trays of grass.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews:
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. Customers emphasize how much time and physical energy the auger bit saves. They also praise the packaging, noting the plugs arrive green and ready to grow.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas:
Texas Blackland Prairie clay is notoriously hard to dig with a hand trowel. The included drill auger turns a brutal weekend of manual labor into a quick, manageable afternoon project.
Ideal Use Case:
Homeowners taking on a DIY lawn transition project who want an all-in-one system with the right tools included.
10. ProPlugger 5-IN-1 Lawn Tool & Zoysia Plug Bundle – Best for Transplanting
Product Description:
While you can buy grass bundled with the ProPlugger, the tool itself is the real star for Zoysia owners. This ergonomic, stand-up plugging tool allows you to easily harvest 2-inch plugs from established, healthy areas of your Zoysia lawn and transplant them into bare or struggling spots.
Price:
Key Features & Benefits:
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Stand-up design saves your back and knees.
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Creates perfectly sized holes for transplanting or inserting store-bought plugs.
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Allows you to propagate your own grass for free year after year.
Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Pays for itself after a single season by allowing you to move grass for free; incredibly durable design.
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Cons: You still have to do the manual labor of stomping the tool into the ground, which can be tough in dry clay.
Amazon Ratings and Reviews:
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. The ProPlugger is one of the highest-rated lawn tools on Amazon. Users call it a “game-changer” for repairing lawns without spending hundreds of dollars on new sod.
Why It’s a Good Choice for North Texas:
Because Zoysia spreads slowly, a patch killed by a deep Texas freeze or dog urine might take a full year to naturally fill in. The ProPlugger allows you to instantly patch those spots using healthy grass from the edge of your yard.
Ideal Use Case:
Budget-conscious lawn enthusiasts who want to slowly transition a yard to Zoysia over a few seasons or easily maintain an existing lawn.
V. Expert Tips: Planting and Caring for Zoysia in North Texas
To ensure your investment survives the Texas elements, follow these non-negotiable rules for Zoysia care:
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When to Plant: Wait until late spring (May through June). Zoysia needs soil temperatures to consistently reach 70°F to germinate or establish roots. Planting in March or April while the soil is still cool will result in failure.
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Watering the Texas Clay: During the establishment phase (weeks 1-3), the soil must remain constantly moist. However, once established, Zoysia needs deep, infrequent watering. Water deeply once or twice a week to force the roots to dig deeper into the clay, rather than shallow watering every day. This makes the grass incredibly drought-tolerant and lowers your DFW water bill.
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Mowing Rules: Keep your Zoysia cut between 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Most importantly, follow the “One-Third Rule.” Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade height in a single mow. Scalping Zoysia in the peak of a Texas summer will cause severe heat stress and stall its growth.
VI. Conclusion
Transitioning your North Texas lawn from a struggling, weed-filled mess to a lush, resilient Zoysia carpet is one of the best investments you can make in your home’s curb appeal.
If you have a large, sunny yard and want the most cost-effective route, Zenith or Compadre Zoysia Seed are your best options. If your yard suffers from deep shade cast by mature oaks, Emerald Zoysia Plugs are the ultimate problem-solver. And if you want a yard that can withstand extreme heat, kids, and dogs, EMPIRE Zoysia Plugs cannot be beaten.
Don’t spend another brutal Texas summer fighting a losing battle with your lawn. Measure your yard, assess your sunlight, and click through to Amazon to order your Zoysia seeds or plugs before the optimal Texas planting window closes!
