Re-sodding lawn, use dethatcher to remove dead stems?

projectpete19 – posted 24 October 2007 09:43

I live in central florida and have floratam that was killed by chinch bugs. I have used roundup and cut the grass at the lowest setting. Now I have no more grass, just dead st. augustine stems over the sand. To describe what it looks like when you look at my lawn you see sand with brown vines here and there with no leaves.

I cant get any lower with the lawn mower so I was going to rent a dethathcer http://www.sunbeltrentals.com/catalog/default.aspx?pgtype=itdtl&shwprt=y&pg=18&psg=89&itcd=220473 to clear the surface and break all the stems that are remaining so when I plant my new sod it will be contacting mostly dirt.

I dont want to use a tiller as I will have to go back and rake out and compact the dirt.

Alex_in_FL – posted 28 October 2007 07:01

Floratam will grow over concrete before it will grow across dead Floratam.

So remove the dead grass (the dethatcher you mention should work). Then put out some pre-emergent (and maybe a little some slow release fertilizer with micro nutrients and potassium – a high last number on the fertilizer). Water the area nicely before you put in the sod. Use sand to fill in any cracks in the sod.

Good luck.