Need advice on Lawn

[Urshurak776]

Hi all. So, a few months ago, we had a sewer line break in our yard from tree roots. We had the yard torn up and the tree removed and the sewer line repaired. Of course, it left my lawn a mess. I planted a Japanese Maple and seeded the lawn, but, it's not working great and the HOA is on my case hard........

I just bought some Bermuda (has to be Bermuda) plugs from Home Depot and they will be here Thursday. And advice to ensure success? I have watched a bunch of videos and some internet articles, but seems confusing....lot of info.

Would appreciate any advice. I have no green in my thumb whatsoever........

 

[Pablo]

Looks like you need mega amounts of soil humus enrichment/black rich dirt - to start.

 

[Urshurak776]

Looks like you need mega amounts of soil humus enrichment/black rich dirt - to start.

Thank you. Yes, I need to run to Lowes/Home Depot and get some top soil or something. The ground is hard clay and sand, hardly any dirt at all.....probably my problem to begin with. I did spread a little around, but not enough it seems.

 

[Pablo]

Thank you. Yes, I need to run to Lowes/Home Depot and get some top soil or something. The ground is hard clay and sand, hardly any dirt at all.....

Get more than you think you'll need. Work it in well (uggh yeah nasty labor)
Then top seed and water twice-three times a day.

 

[thastinger]

Get a soil test done, if that is even soil.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

did you aereate before seeding? how hard is your soil> sand, or clay, whatever. also the local extension agent can give you quality advice. Some even provide some equipment loans for small fees.

Around here the local top soil sold is mostly clay from Oklahoma, so check out better alternatives. I am no soil expert, but aereation is a good way to help the growth before the plugging.

 

[Urshurak776]

did you aereate before seeding? how hard is your soil> sand, or clay, whatever. also the local extension agent can give you quality advice. Some even provide some equipment loans for small fees.

Around here the local top soil sold is mostly clay from Oklahoma, so check out better alternatives. I am no soil expert, but aereation is a good way to help the growth before the plugging.

I tried to break up the soil and rake it real good before seeding. I spread some top soil also, but not nearly enough. It's hard clay and sand......

 

[alarmguy]

Scott’s starter fertilizer every 4 weeks will help the Bermuda grass spread more rapidly due to it’s phosphate content. Most lawn foods no longer contain phosphate and it’s essential for creeping grass.

It doesn’t have to be Scott’s. I’m using that as an example all home improvement stores also sell their house brands at a lower price. Just make sure when you look it says starter fertilizer.
Or in the case of Walmart, you can order a fertilizer called Texas fertilizer that also contains phosphate.

By the way, you don’t have to be starting a lawn to use starter fertilizer. It has to be sold this way because some states have banned the use of phosphate for regular lawn maintenance.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotts-Turf-Builder-Lawn-Food/dp/B00DK49DVA

 

[Urshurak776]

Scott’s starter fertilizer every 4 weeks will help the Bermuda grass spread more rapidly due to it’s phosphate content. Most lawn foods no longer contain phosphate and it’s essential for creeping grass.

It doesn’t have to be Scott’s. I’m using that as an example all home improvement stores also sell their house brands at a lower price. Just make sure when you look it says starter fertilizer.
Or in the case of Walmart, you can order a fertilizer called Texas fertilizer that also contains phosphate

Thank you!

 

[JayhawkRoy]

I tried to break up the soil and rake it real good before seeding. I spread some top soil also, but not nearly enough. It's hard clay and sand......

I had mostly hard clay in our acreage. Need to get a plug aerator rental (walk behind if lawn is relatively small). Best time to do it is after a rain.
Raking never worked for me, except for small patches. Since I owned two acres I got my own plug aerator. pull behind from one of the box stores --agrifab I believe.

 

[alarmguy]

Thank you!

You’re welcome. I added a photo and the link under the photo as an example to my post after you commented.

 

[ripcord]

Put some little stakes around the area with some "stay off the new grass" kind of tape around it as HOA repellant... Gives the image of compliance.

 

[BISCUT]

I'm not on top of SC soil, but I would rent an aerator and start there. I'm in NY, and after aeration, I would rake in lime and peat moss to keep that soil from compacting over time. Not sure if lime is needed where you are.

Just tossing this out there, for immediate compliance and overall ease, have you looked into having sod delivered? Might offer less hassle and doesn't look too big of an area you have to complete. Still prep the base with starter fertilizer ratio and rake it out. Might be an easier solution.

 

[Allaned]

Since you are here in South Carolina, have Clemson test your soil. I don't know where you are in South Carolina, but here on the coast the Bermuda (or centipede or St. Augustine) will grow fine in the sand without black topsoil. Then lots of water. The starter fertilizer from Scotts is what I would apply.

 

[GaryMX5]

Bermuda will recover quickly especially in the heat (which it loves). Plugs are the way to go vs seed as well. Buying squares of Bermuda sod and cutting it into smaller squares works well too. Bermuda is like a creepy crawly weed and will establish itself quickly. Light watering in the early morning this time of the year only. Bermuda isn't very tolerant of shade and will thin quickly in that environment.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

 

[DCDG]

Hi all. So, a few months ago, we had a sewer line break in our yard from tree roots. We had the yard torn up and the tree removed and the sewer line repaired. Of course, it left my lawn a mess. I planted a Japanese Maple and seeded the lawn, but, it's not working great and the HOA is on my case hard........

I just bought some Bermuda (has to be Bermuda) plugs from Home Depot and they will be here Thursday. And advice to ensure success? I have watched a bunch of videos and some internet articles, but seems confusing....lot of info.

Would appreciate any advice. I have no green in my thumb whatsoever........

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The Mrs and I are struggling with the same here we too are located in south carolina the soil is not good here. I raked and thatched all the dead crap out before putting down turf builder seed and watered got nothing in return. I'm over it if the HOA wants my lawn manicured in some particular way they can take care of lawn the maintenance.

 

[ragtoplvr]

get a plastic watering can. Save all your urine, dilute in can. sprinkle over all the grass. It will grow like crazy. Smile extra big as you think of how upset the HOA busybody would be Lots of phosphate.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I think it's too late to plant now, going with sod is the easy way out.

 

[User_19876]

I just stand on the porch in my underpants and the bermuda begins to consume the house.

Seriously. Just aerate really well every fall. The aeration will chop up fresh bermuda plants. You’ll have a lawn in no time. You don’t need to amend the soil. Heavy nitrogen in late Spring.

I can’t believe I just spent $240 buying two pints of Acclaim specifically to kill this invasive weed.