Do I nurse our lawn back to health or start all over?

Busti – posted 31 March 2003 14:43

We purchased our home last summer. The home is 9 years old with an established yard- mix of bermuda and st. augustine. However, it is overrun with clover and crabgrass. Last summer, it was too hot to try to fight the crabgrass and clover and revamp the yard.

But, now it’s spring. Many people have told me that I should treat the lawn (chemically killing the crabgrass and clover) and put down some turf-builder with crabgrass prevention. This is the most economical route, however, is it a waste of money? Should we just start over?

Also, it’s now almost April. Is the time right to try to kill off the crabgrass and clover and nurse our existing grass back to full health, or is it too late in the season?

(We live in the North Texas area, if that helps in answering my question).

frenchman – posted 31 March 2003 19:38

Put down some pre-emergence and spray some 2,4-D for the clovers

George777 – posted 24 April 2003 19:41

If you have white clover all you have to do is get your fertilization on track and you should get rid of it. White clover=Nitrogen shortage

Soody – posted 01 May 2003 18:26

I have pretty much the same type of lawn and trying the same technic. I’ve treated weeds with Basagran and Atrizine and fertilized with Pre-M nad pot ash (0-0-62) to spread the runners and my yard is taking off. I have not found anything to get rid of the bermuda.

certified-in-florida – posted 30 May 2003 21:36

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH 2,4-D IN ST. AUGUSTINE. Your best bet is to apply atrazine (both pre and post emergence control) but only in the cooler months, generally when temps are under 80 degrees. then during the warm growing season, build the St. Aug. with prober fertilization and proper watering (many weed problems can be a result of over watering). It should “choke out” the weeds. If you time it right, the atrazine may hinder the growth of the Bermuda too!

Good luck,

Scott