New Sod-Bermuda in Texas

Felicity – posted 18 October 2003 21:57

I had a house built in early August 2003 with Bermuda sod and 90% is dead. Our contractor replaced partial parts of the grass and I would like to know the proper techniques on how to care for the new sod. We water 3 times a week for about 1 hour. We live around the Dallas, Texas metro and we have been told so many ways on how to treat our grass that I am confused now! ƒ¼ Any info on how much to water, fertilizer, and how to prep for the winter would be greatly appreciated by our new sod!

Thanks!Felicity

ted – posted 19 October 2003 12:44

it’s kind of hard to tell why the bermuda would have died in the first place. sort of mysterious in the warm weather you would have in august… as far as now goes, use a winterizer fertilizer (18-24-12) or some corresponding number, you need to be watering more frequently to establish the roots. at least once a day with a lesser amount per watering.

Dchall_San_Antonio – posted 23 October 2003 08:53

With all that water my suspicion is fungal disease. If you apply ordinary corn meal at 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet, you should get it back in 3-4 weeks. You can get corn meal at feed stores in 50 pound bags for about $6.50.

1. Water deeply (hour at a time) and infrequently (no more often than once a week in the heat of summer and monthly the rest of the year).

2. Mow bermuda at the lowest setting on your mower. Bermuda makes a great prostrate growing grass but not if you let it get tall. You might have to mow it more than once a week to keep it low.

3. Fertilize regularly. I like corn meal as a fertilizer at 10 pounds per 1,000, but use anything as long as you do it 3 times a year. Corn meal is really a no-hassle way to fertilize, so that’s my basic reason.

[This message has been edited by Dchall_San_Antonio (edited 23 October 2003).]