Soil type for bermuda

Tric – posted 08 February 2005 20:20

I live in sherman tx. The soil in my yard appears to be a real hard clay. I put down about 1/2″ of sandy loam top soil before laying sod down. It appears though that grass isn’t healthy enough. Should I come back with another 1/2″ of top soil to produce better results. Also should I start using round up on the crabgrass that is popping up since the grass is dormant, I think.Great site, hope it helps me.

Buck – posted 09 February 2005 08:27

I think you may have expressed a problem in there, but I’m not sure I understand it. So, let me hit some topics that may fit with your circumstances.

1) You may have a weed problem, but at this time of the year it is not crab grass. Whatever it is, I would not use round up even if you think your bermuda is dormant. Something far more selective is required. Check a couple of other threads on this and look for responses from Ted, he has a pretty good handle on Texas issues.

2) As to the clay, I’d dig down and see if the roots from your sod have penetrated in to it down below the top soil you applied. If not it could just be a function of the short time you have been at it. I have had bermuda work nicely into clay in North Carolina, but it takes maybe a year or so. Be on the look out for worms and casings, good signs.

3) When you begin to mow, cut it short and leave the clippings. And you may want to consider airating. I’d try to pull 2 1/2″ and in clay that will mean a reasonable amount of moisture to hold them together.

Hope there is something here you can use.

mikemaas00 – posted 09 February 2005 14:59

When did you put down the sod? Your sod is gonna be brown until April or late March, especially if you just put it down. Weed control on new sod can be a tricky situation…I would wait until the fall before messing with the weeds. Fertilize that stuff this spring and summer and worry about the other stuff in the fall.

Tric – posted 10 February 2005 08:30

the sod I laid has been down for almost two years. I guess the problems that I am having is weed control and the fact that the grass isn’t that healthy. Last spring I installed a sprinkler system and fertilized about every six weeks with high nitrogen fertilizer from Lowes. I also was spraying the crabgrass with Ortho crabgrass killer. I see every one on this forum talking about different herbicides and I guess I don’t know what the number mean. so i really need help with weed control right now. Do i put out a peremergent? or other weedkiller? What’s MASA?

ted – posted 10 February 2005 16:30

i think your best shot is to post some pics- you’re not seeing crabgrass now in north texas. i think we’re dealing with some weed i.d. problems- what kind of grass? i’m assuming bermuda- you have to watch it in texas- lots of different grasses with completely different herbicide uses. you can cause some serious damage quickly.