New House in Atlanta–fescue, bermuda, seed or sod??

kbobo – posted 18 August 2004 12:10

Our new house has sun in front sloped yard and part-shade very sloped yard in back. Contractor has suggested seeded fescue everywhere or bermuda sod. I think the bermuda will be ok in front, but not in back. I don’t know about seeding fescue in late August in Atlanta on a sloping lawn. Any advice would be appreciated. We have 2 dogs who will spend time in back area.Thanks

ted – posted 18 August 2004 19:01

late august is way too early to seed fescue in atlanta!!! you can sod bermuda now, but don’t recommend seeding or sodding fescue now- just too much heat stress- wait at least a month- the sun /shade recommendations sound fairly reasonable.

Rick O – posted 18 August 2004 19:46

I live in Marietta. I have tried unsuccessfully several years to have a decent fescue lawn. By this time of the year after a long hot summer much of the grass is dead and the bare spots are filled with crabgrass and other weeds. I even installed a sprinkler system and hired a professional for chemical application. The results were only slightly better. Next spring I am going to kill it all and go with zoysia.

JD – posted 22 August 2004 20:09

Forget fescue (unless you are in dire need of somethingto do every waking hour). My suggestion is to bite the bullet and sod with emarld zosia. You will only be diappointed when you write the check. The lawn will please you more every day and the lower maintenance will pay you back. All of your neighbors will wish they had done the same. Check out the web pages on this grass. You get what you pay for.

kbobo – posted 23 August 2004 06:17

Many thanks to all of you for your advice. We have decided to go with zoysia–either emerald or empire depending upon price and availability.