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Grading site prep
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Posted by mechanic380 11 Texas (My Page) on Sat, Feb 6, 10 at 0:32
| The grass I posted has been identified as bermuda grass. I would like some suggestions for varieties that grow very dense and low or "compact hybrid". Suggestions so far are "Santa Ana or PD 102". The yard has standing water in it every time it rains so some site prep is definitely needed. The soil has mounded up higher than the sidewalk in areas while the center of the yard is low. Should I dig out a little around the sidewalk and fill the low spots? What is an appropriate level along the sidewalk and driveway. Second would it be successful to use round up to kill the remaining grass before I grade a little. Finally I have read here that you should not till because it will leave an uneven surface. Does this mean I should compact the fill dirt and then place a thin loose layer for seeding in? Any advice is welcome. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Grading site prep
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| Ok I did some additional reading and found you use sand not top soil to level. The yard has 1-2" of standing water in its lowest point is sand still the most appropriate filler, and will any sand do. I also only want to use seed and wonder if the princess 77 variety is a big enough improvement to justify the cost. If so what is the cheapest source, I found the Pennington seed/mulch blend listed in previous years for a reasonable price, but they don't list any distributors. If not what is the best alternative. |
RE: Grading site prep
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| More questions. I hope this isn't getting annoying but I would like to get as much answered at one time as possible. On this forum it is recommended to spray the existing lawn with a herbicide like roundup, then scalp the lawn as short as possible before leveling. Right now all of the grass in the lawn is dormant and all that is green are various weeds and clovers. If I spray and scalp the lawn is it going to have any effect on the dormant grasses. If not should I wait until the grass begins to green to do my grading and lawn prep. The grass in the lawn now is St Augustine and Bermuda. Neither of which have produced a good turf in previous years. I really do not want to have the St augustine return and compete with the new lawn. I think the cost of princess is going to be prohibitive. Is triangle a good alternative and if so do you know of any source that is not 25lbs plus shipping. |
RE: Grading site prep
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| The person you are waiting for is TexasWeed. In the mean time look on the Internet for the Bermuda Bible. He's posted it in several places. The most recent version is at a site that GardenWeb won't allow mention of. Just search around or wait. He'll be by here soon enough. Regarding the grading, if you were to raise only the center of the lawn with fill, would that affect drainage toward any buildings or your neighbors? If so, then you'll probably need a professional to regrade it for you. Otherwise you might be able to do it yourself. St Augustine will be the bane of your existence. The best way to get rid of it completely is to not water at all for several months. When it dries out it goes dead, not dormant. The bermuda on the other hand will go dormant and come back quickly once it gets wet again. TexasWeed can help you with a variety. Be ready to tell where you live. Your zone is nice to have but knowing your climate and soil is more important. |
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