Bermuda plugs

marispel – posted 17 January 2002 12:03

We are building a new house and the builder is putting bermuda in the front, but fescue in the side and back. We would love to have bermuda in the side and back but the cost is over our budget. Someone suggest that we have the builder put in the fescue and then we put in bermuda plugs ourselves. Has anyone done this? Will it take over the fescue & if so, how fast?

George777 – posted 07 February 2002 18:21

Make sure you do a sit evaluation of the side of your home to ensure that burmuda will get enough sun light. It’s basic characteristic is to be planted in direct sunlight. Burmuda will not do well in a shaded location.You may also want to ensure you prep the site before planting. Many people have sucess with a good quality seed. It is the method that costs the lest amount of money. If you need the steps on how to prep the site let me know. The number one cause of turfgrass establishment failure is improper site prep.

mike – posted 10 March 2002 09:00

quote:If you need the steps on how to prep the site let me know. The number one cause of turfgrass establishment failure is improper site prep.

I’m starting a new bermuda lawn soon. I’ve spoken to several of my neighbors and they have all lamented about how hard it was to get their lawns started. I’d be greatful for any tips you have on soil preparation.

[This message has been edited by mike (edited 10 March 2002).]

seed – posted 10 March 2002 15:14

Mike, can you tell us where you are (e.g., state or province and country)? Also, since bermudagrass is relatively easy to get established, can you tell us something about your neighbors’ experience? Were they seeding or sprigging?

Phil

mike – posted 10 March 2002 22:32

I’m in LaGrange, GA. My neighbor to the left had his yard bulldozed last year. He spread some fertilizer, tall fescue and straw and watered it a lot. It’s just beginning green up now. His grass appears very clumpy and not very dense. My neighbor to the right appears to be doing some sort of experiment to see exactly how many different weed species can exist on a single lot. The folks across the street are the ones I was referring to about not being able to get their lawn started. BTW, they do have a nice lawn now. I have only met the lady, and she didn’t know what type of grass they have. I can only tell that it’s a sod-forming grass. It’s a straw color right now. Perhaps it’s bermuda or zoysia. The other neighbor across the street has also just cleared his yard. He doesn’t seem to put forth the amount of effort I am because he cleared, sowed and mulched all in the same day. He’s already complaining that nothing’s coming up yet. He wasn’t even sure what kind of seed he sowed. I don’t really consider him a threat to my secret diabolical plan for neighborhood lawn domination. 😛 Seriously though, I have always wanted a nice lawn and I’m enjoying all the hard work.

When we bought the house 2 years ago, the lawn had been seriously neglected. The yard was overgrown with weeds of all types. Plantains and Dandelions for sure and I can’t identify the rest. I sprayed some Ortho Weed-B-Gone and had mild success killing them. I had hoped what little grass that was growing would fill in, but It didn’t. Late last fall, my lawn turned brown and would peel back like carpet. Yes, white grubs and LOTS of them. I tried to see this as a good thing. The grubs made it easy for me to rake up the weeds and grass and haul it away in my lawn mower trailer. My plan originally was to get the yard down to bare dirt using only simple garden tools, but it was just too much. The grubs only helped me on about 30% of the lawn. Last Saturday, I had my stepdad scrape off the yard with his tractor and box blade. I was thankful because I also had some humps that needed leveling. The remainder of the day and most of today has been spent with my landscaping rake. I’ve been working it over the surface to loosen the large rocks and shoveling it into my trailer to be hauled away. I am really putting a lot of effort in making as good a seedbed as I can. (Man am I sore!) I have a lot of red clay, but when I scoop up some of my soil and rub it between my thumb and fingers it feels more gritty than slippery. This fits the description of sandy loam in my landscaping book more so than does clay loam. My yard seems to be mostly hard compacted dirt/clay and gravel. The more I work it with my rake, the more gravel is worked loose. I’m a little worried that I will not have the soil depth required for proper germination and root system. I may have to have some soil hauled in or purchase bags of topsoil. Another idea I had was to make a sifter out of some wood and hardware cloth and sift the rock and weeds out of the dirt I have been hauling around back. This would be laborious, but I have about 2 or 3 pickup truck loads worth of dirt piled up behind the house now. Once I’m satisfied with this phase I will begin adding ammendments and finally starter fertilizer and seed. That’s my plan for now anyway. If you have some better ideas, I would love to hear them. I don’t really have much experience at this, but I have been reading everything I can get my hands on.

[This message has been edited by mike (edited 10 March 2002).]