Buying home and too broke to spray the yard

kenandcoly – posted 03 August 2004 11:39

Are there any kinds of sprays that i can use that will rid the house im buying this week of weeds so that i can see what type of grass i have and the condition of the soil? i was going to get someone to spray it for me but money for closing costs are killing me. please help anyway you can.

oh the home has no irrigation but a utility room. the trees are vibrant but on the back part of the home its patches of sugar sand but looks like soil is present beneath… how do i know if the sand is coming from the next yard and also what is involved when someone digs for a fresh water well for the sprinklers?

StevieD – posted 04 August 2004 07:16

The term “Sugar Sand” suggests to me that you live in Florida. Better find out what kind of grass you have first before spraying. Some grasses tolerate different types of selective herbicides better than others. Suggest contacting the local agricultural extension agent for help identifying your grass type.

If you have St. Augustine grass, I suggest using atrazine. If you have some other kind of grass, then some other type of slective herbicide may be more appropriate.

Alex_in_FL – posted 04 August 2004 20:38

You can check soil with a shovel. Just slice the ground and look. Sand is not all bad, just takes a bit more fertilizer and water to keep the yard.

Previous poster was right, take some of the grass/weeds to your local county ag office. Use atrazine on St Augustine, or 2,4D on bermuda.

Wide blades in FL suggests St.Aug. narrow blades suggest bermuda.

Where are you located?

kenandcoly – posted 05 August 2004 13:52

im in miami, fl and if there is any way i can send you a picture of the grass this saturday i would appreciate it. and from the initial look the sugar sand isnt alot and it looks like its coming from the other yard … becaue it is in patches and you can see the black soil but i need to be sure.

quote:Originally posted by StevieD:The term “Sugar Sand” suggests to me that you live in Florida. Better find out what kind of grass you have first before spraying. Some grasses tolerate different types of selective herbicides better than others. Suggest contacting the local agricultural extension agent for help identifying your grass type.

If you have St. Augustine grass, I suggest using atrazine. If you have some other kind of grass, then some other type of slective herbicide may be more appropriate.

Alex_in_FL – posted 05 August 2004 17:31

Post here or send to

Al**********@ho*****.com

kenandcoly – posted 06 August 2004 04:09

thanks for your input. ill post the picture sometime tomorrow so keep posted

quote:Originally posted by StevieD:The term “Sugar Sand” suggests to me that you live in Florida. Better find out what kind of grass you have first before spraying. Some grasses tolerate different types of selective herbicides better than others. Suggest contacting the local agricultural extension agent for help identifying your grass type.

If you have St. Augustine grass, I suggest using atrazine. If you have some other kind of grass, then some other type of slective herbicide may be more appropriate.

kenandcoly – posted 07 August 2004 11:50

im going to email you the picture of the grass since i couldnt figure out the HTML ON HERE.

quote:Originally posted by kenandcoly:thanks for your input. ill post the picture sometime tomorrow so keep posted

[This message has been edited by kenandcoly (edited 07 August 2004).]

kenandcoly – posted 07 August 2004 11:57

check your mail im sending the picture ..thanks for your help

ken

quote:Originally posted by Alex_in_FL:Post here or send to

Al**********@ho*****.com

Alex_in_FL – posted 08 August 2004 15:05

Looks like St Augustine (might be centipede). Do you live in Florida?

You have a couple of different broadleafs and a nice crop of sedge.

My suggestion:1. Buy a bottle of Atrazine and a sprayer ($25 tops together at walmart of Home Depot). Mix up a gallon and spray a small area. 2. Wait a week3. Grass okay and most of weeds dead?4. If yes then spray entire yard. 5. This fall or next spring after killing the other broadleafs you can spot spray with Manage to kill the sedge.Best of luck.

kenandcoly – posted 09 August 2004 07:16

wonderful. thanks for the advice and ill let you know how things go.

quote:Originally posted by Alex_in_FL:Looks like St Augustine (might be centipede). Do you live in Florida?

You have a couple of different broadleafs and a nice crop of sedge.

My suggestion:1. Buy a bottle of Atrazine and a sprayer ($25 tops together at walmart of Home Depot). Mix up a gallon and spray a small area. 2. Wait a week3. Grass okay and most of weeds dead?4. If yes then spray entire yard. 5. This fall or next spring after killing the other broadleafs you can spot spray with Manage to kill the sedge.Best of luck.

Alex_in_FL – posted 10 August 2004 03:51

Best to spray on a cool day. Very early in the morning (is that the sun?) or else very late in afternoon. You might even want to water the yard for a few minutes per zone to cool it off before you spray.

kenandcoly – posted 10 August 2004 04:12

i was thinking that already but glad you made it official

quote:Originally posted by Alex_in_FL:Best to spray on a cool day. Very early in the morning (is that the sun?) or else very late in afternoon. You might even want to water the yard for a few minutes per zone to cool it off before you spray.