Removing Old “Lawn”

angminnie – posted 31 March 2009 10:34

We’re having an irrigation system installed next week so we don’t have to water by hand. Currently, our “grass” consists of mostly weeds, some St. Augustine grass, Bermuda grass, and a couple patches of carpetgrass. So, needless to say it’s a mess. The company who’s installing the irrigation system suggests we re-sod the lawn. He suggested Round Up, which we went ahead and did. I just did the second application today. The Bermuda grass seems to be taking the longest to die off.

My question is what’s the fastest/easiest and most affordable way to remove the old stuff? It’s just my husband and myself doing it. We have a smaller property and thought about raking it, but that would be time consuming. Should I rent a tiller or dethatcher? I’ve heard the sod shaver machine is super heavy for 2 people. I guess the real question is: Does the old stuff have to be 100% removed? Can there be some dead grass/weed roots left? Will that do any type of damage to the new sod?

Any suggestions would be appreciated?

saltcedar – posted 01 April 2009 07:18

Does the old stuff have to be 100% removed?

In the case of Bermuda grass yes. It will re-invadethe new turf quite quickly. Tilling may make thesituation worse by chopping the Bermuda intosprigs which is one way new Bermuda lawns areestablished.

Alex_in_FL – posted 17 April 2009 21:16

I have not tried this but have read others saying it works.Simply scap your yard with a mower.

I am not sure if you are sodding with Bermuda or St Augustine. If SA then you need to kill the bermuda 2 or 3 times. If you are going to sod bermuda then you can kill the SA with many herbicides.