Soil Sterilization

wdrake – posted 06 September 2002 07:30

I’m trying to grow St Augustine in NW Florida and have a mess: soil borne fungus, weeds, weed seeds, grubs, nematodes, and mole crickets. Over the years I have tried to treat these problems, but with little success. Once more before I get too old I want to try to get some healthy turf growing in my back yard. In preparation for sod in the spring I would like to sterilize the soil to kill everything, and add some organic stuff. The only guidance I have is from the Florida Lawn Handbook, which, at least in the not too distant past, outlined a couple of fumigation procedures. I’m inclined to believe that the State has now outlawed these procedures for the do-it-your-selfer! Any ideas on how I should proceed?