The Grass Doctor

Bermuda grass lawn in Austin TX?

Moved into my house 2 years ago, bermuda grass lawn, no sprinkler system. It was in poor shape last summer, lots of bare patches, weed infiltration, and think sparse grass. This year I have installed a sprinkler system and couldn't be happier with the results. I have also put down a several bags of "dillo dirt" here (organic compost). My grass is green, thickening up by the day and I couldn't be happier. But... I have several issues that are next on the list to address before I can truly say I have a great lawn. Here they are in no particular order: 1. I have several areas where St. Augustine has infiltrated. With the compost and sprinklers, its going gang busters. It's about 20% of my front yard now. I really don't care if I have all bermuda or all St. Augustine what does kinda bother me is half of both. Any ideas other than get on my knees and start yanking? 2. I have some pretty bad nutsedge patches and they are growing like mad as well. I intend to hit them with Image Nutsedge this evening. I have heard of sedgehammer w/surfactant added but didn't see it at Lowes. Any other ideas for the nutsedge? 3. Low growing!!!!! My neighbor who (rightly) installed his sprinkler the day after the sod went in his bermuda grass 2 yrs ago now has a thick lush low growing lawn. Mine is green but still grows tall fast and goes to seed quickly. Any ideas to "retrain" the lawn to acheive low growing?

Public Comments

1. Here is a copy of what our new customers get. Nut sedge is treated with a growth inhibitor. Sedge can be treated once ever 30 days, when the temperatures are 90 degrees or higher, allowing about 3 treatments a year. Nut sedge is usually brought in with topsoil, or blows in from surrounding areas. It favors growth in wet areas. When treated, the blades will get smaller and thinner, eventually going away once fall temperatures arrive. It will not turn brown like grassy weeds. NEVER try and pull this up because it only triples the problem and forces new growth. Even though we treat each season, this in no way will prevent what over winters underground from popping up next season. We try our best, but this is one pest that takes a long time to eliminate. Lawn care can be a challenge tackling problems that have been on the property for quite a while. Pre-emergent applied September thru April reduce a large amount of weeds from developing in the summer. Grassy weeds are treated once the ambient temperature is a constant 70 degrees. Usually this is June through early September. In Texas, seasons for the most part fall in 90 day intervals and grassy weed control falls into only one season of the year. Our goal is to prevent problems before they show up. Bermuda grass must have 6 hours of direct light, St. Augustine 4 hours or both will fail to thrive. Once more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed, turf will turn brown. During the summer months, cutting Bermuda every 4 days will improve color and weed control. Hybrid Bermuda will respond differently than common Bermuda with its mowing requirements. For grass to survive near trees, the canopy needs to be well above house roofline. Dappled light may allow grass to hang on, but eventually the turf will fail to return and weeds will fill in the voids. Aerations done twice a year for at least 2 years will greatly improve root density promoting thick growth. Thin roots produce thin grass. Our clay soil makes it extremely difficult for roots to grow deep, a requirement for healthy turf. The absolute best control for all weeds is a thick, dense lawn. Most weeds show up under trees, around fence or sidewalk where the soil is broken by weed eaters and in the alley where water is seldom correctly applied. Watering correctly is mandatory. One inch per week minimum soaking into the soil is required in the summer, ½ inch per week in cooler temperature. Water must be adjusted to compensate for increased temperature, humidity levels, run off and wind speed. Place a few empty tuna cans in lawn, and then turn sprinkler on. Measure collected water and do the math. If can has ¼ inch of fluid, lawn must be watered 4 times to get one inch. Watch sprinkler and turn it off as soon as you see water running down the sidewalk. Often times running system through 2 or 3 cycles at 7 to 10 minutes each yields superior results than one 20 minute cycle. Deep watering is desired. Throw Mother Natures whimsical weather patterns into the mix and lawn care becomes much more of a challenge. Our first year is spent cleaning up the lawn, second year prettying up the lawn. You can pay a professional service and have a great lawn. They know what is going on, something few home owners have a clue about. Now go drink a beer and relax.