Should I re-sod, use plugs or just let it grow in?

by Legacy post · 2016-05-11

chemmie – posted 07 February 2008 07:06

I’ve really let my lawn go to crap here in Orlando. I’ve had dollar weed, cinch bugs and all kinds of other weeds. About a third of my lawn is totally gone and nothing but dead stringers showing.

With that said, I’m about to put my house up for sale and need a quick cleanup. Last spring I had a similar problem and most of the St. Augusting grew back in before summer hit… it was actually looking acceptable.

I’ve already hit the lawn with bug killer to kill off the bugs, so…

Should I till up the dead parts, rake and place sod down?Till up, rake and put in plugs?or, just till up and rake and try to get the St. Augustine to spread during the spring?

For the rest of the lawn, what fertilizer should I be using to get it strong and green during the spring? It isn’t looking too bad.Also, the entire lawn is no more than 1-2 pallets of sod. So this section wouldn’t be too much work or money. Is doing the entire lawn an option?Thank you!

[This message has been edited by chemmie (edited 07 February 2008).]

Almaroad – posted 27 February 2008 15:12

Sprigging just does not have enough stolens to beautify your lawn quickly. Why don’t you save all of the living pieces and put them really tight together in a tricky corner and resod the whole area. Till it up, put down some cow manure, starting fertilizer and spagnum, rake it down level and incorporate the fertilizer and lay your new sod. Water for at least two weeks deeply and keep it moist. It will take off like a weed. Mow high this year. This will keep your soil moist. Grass needs to be dry–This will help prevent fungas when weather gets hot.

Almaroad – posted 27 February 2008 15:15

Forgot the fertilizer: 15-0-15 @ 1lb/1000sq.ft. I’d look at the Lesco’s equilivent fertilizer with .21 Dimension (pre-emergent for weed control) Follow prescribed amount on bag

Alex_in_FL – posted 06 April 2008 04:44

If you have Floratam you have to rake up the dead grass or it will take forever to recover. Floratam grows better over concrete than it will dead Floratam (no idea why).

You can sod or put out plugs/strips and if you water appropriately you can fill in the lawn fairly fast.