4 Month Old Bermuda Sod in Houston Struggling

matander – posted 24 May 2005 13:17

I purchased a new house in Spring (North Houston) a few months ago that had new bermuda sod that was laid in January. I’m a newbie to yard maintenance and am having a couple issues with the grass.

1) The sod wasn’t watered much and shrank leaving me with the ruts / valleys.2) I fertilized 8 weeks ago with Scott’s starter fertilizer and watered daily for about a week and half. Then cut back to 2-3 waterings a week. It greened up well and seemed to be doing well for being neglected.3) In the last three weeks, the grass has seemed tail off and dry up. 4) I semi-dethatched via regular rake and removed about 10-15 bags of thatch over about 4,500 sf of yard. I took care not to uproot the thriving grass while doing this.5) The soil appears to be compacted. Water stands in several areas and does not drain well. I am worried that the builder compacted the soil considerably and just laid the sod over the top with out any preparation. In the patchy spots, the soil is very hard.6) There are a few spots that the sod does not seem to be rooting. The sod patch has lively grass, but it the corners pull up from the undersoil easily with little to no effort.

So, after my so called dethatching this last weekend, I was considering placing some topsoil / compost over the yard to fill up the valleys / cracks, aerating to open up the soil, then fertilizing with the Scott’s starter fertilizer again to try and establish the roots. Then hitting it with a weed / insect killer in another month or so.

I found only a few posts / sites that say not to aerate within the first year of new sod. Other sites & publications have no mention of this?

Can anyone give me some insight / pointers on approaching the my maintenance? I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

ted – posted 24 May 2005 14:25

not the best time of year to sod bermuda in houston for sure. a little early in my opinion. why did you rake it? any dethatching, aerating should not be done in the first year- shouldn’t need it. sounds like you’ve got a construction problem with the drainage.

matander – posted 24 May 2005 16:15

So don’t aerate. The raking is done. I’m in the process of trying to get ahold of TX A&M to get a soil test done. In the mean time, what about filling in the valleys between the sod? Should I use a compost / topsoil top dressing or sand?

ted – posted 25 May 2005 18:05

yeah, we’re back to the construction problem, as i guessed- there should be no “valleys” between the sod pieces- you’ve got a construction issue- call Kirk Ford on f.m. 2920- it’s called Affordable Lawns- great company.he’ll give you a free consultation/estimate- forget a and m- too slow- take it to lesco on north freeway behind pappasitos. oh and by the way, send me some hot sauce….

matander – posted 25 May 2005 20:35

Thanks for the info, Ted. I’ll give them a call this weekend.