JohnF – posted 16 June 2004 16:34
A lawn service sprayed Image/MSMA mix on my bermuda just as it was getting pretty green after dormancy almost four weeks ago. It turned brown within four days and is still brown. Is the grass dead or will it likely recover? I am thinking about threatening the lawn service with a lawsuit to make them plug or re-sod. I have been keeping it well watered. There are a few spots of green left in random patterns. Advice?
ted – posted 16 June 2004 20:42
p.s. on the other post. you generally don’t spray herbicides on grasses emerging from dormancy. it’s a critical time for herbicide injury.
pablo – posted 28 June 2004 12:50
I would get the area rep. to your house yesterday. Document the visit and what is said. Your grass is fried.
JohnF – posted 29 June 2004 19:11
The lawn service has agreed verbally to restore my lawn, but I am making them do it in the fall so I won’t be out hundreds of dollars in watering. By the way, some formerly brown spots are starting to green up again, but the bermuda is dwarfed, covered with hundreds of fine blades only about 1/4 inch long, kind of like golf green turf.
cohiba – posted 30 June 2004 12:47
John F,Glad to hear they plan to make good on the lawn. I would keep them updated weekly on your lawns condition with the idea that if it comes back 100% they don’t have to replace it.(Tell them that, but we know better). Weekly calls will keep your name on thier minds and fresh for the fall replacement time. In the mean time document everything. Who you spoke with, when you talked and what they said. Don’t tell them anything you do to the lawn that they are not involved with. (It could be used against you later if it should ever go to court). In the mean time baby the turf for the summer and give it all you have. Good turf will survive and thrive giving you a tougher lawn in the long run. The weaker turf will die. Whereas, if you replace the whole lawn in the fall you could be back to square 1.Just some thoughts…Good Luck
ted – posted 30 June 2004 13:52
sodding bermuda in the fall? generally not a good idea. it won’t have time to establish itself and could have serious winter damage. did you say you didn’t want to water your lawn this summer? interesting bit of evidence…..
JohnF – posted 02 July 2004 23:06
I don’t want to have to water and baby new sod through the hottest part of the summer. In my area of town, watering of bermuda usually isn’t needed, since the water table is very shallow. BTW, there are some bermuda yards around here that were sodded last Dec and Jan, and they look beautiful now with no dead spots.