Been reading for a little while now trying to do research on my own. I've gotten some good info (Bermuda Bible, etc) but I haven't seen where my exact situation has been addressed before. So...

Long story short: I spread common bermuda seed on top of my newly sodded lawn (new house) because I was impatient with the growth (sod was laid dormant.)

Now, of course, I've got mostly common and some Tif419. I talked to my friend who is a sod farmer (I should've talked to him before) and he recommended just embracing the common instead of tearing up and resodding the entire thing. My lawn is ~5000ft so totally redoing everything is not really an option.

I think we've decided to sand-level my yard so that I can cut the bermuda to a short height where the difference between the two grasses won't be so obvious to the layman.

What do you guys think?

Also, which sand is correct? "Top Dressing Sand" or "Mortar Sand"

Thanks so much,
Cory

When I sand, which I haven't needed to do in years, I get masonry sand. That's what it's called around here but I understand it can be called different things.

Bu tall is not lost as you can use cultural practices to minimize the common hay grade Bermuda grass and you are on the right track.

The trick is mowing height and mowing frequency. I am surprised you local sod farmer did not tell you that because he should darn well know it. He might assume you are an average Joe with an average rotary mower that maintains their grass at 2 inches and mows once a week every Saturday morning. If that is the case he is right and the common would win the battle.

The only way to fix it with starting over is just plain old hard work and the right lawn mower. Level things out with the coarsest sand you can buy which is likely mortar or builders sand. Mow with a Reel Mower 3 times a week set to 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Keep it fertilized and water properly. In about 4 weeks you will have a golf course looking lawn and be the envy of the neighborhood.

I don't mind putting in the work. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to counter my terrible mistake and maintain a great lawn well into the future.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. I'm glad you've sort of confirmed our path forward. As soon as I get this thing leveled, I'll be following the "Bible" verse for verse. Really looking forward to it.

Cory

The only way you can mow as low as you need to is to get it level. It might take two tries but if you do the first one right, you can get it in one pass. Have you read all the posts here about leveling? They go back a few years. Look for the thread started by dproud and work up to the present from there. dproud's pictures are no longer online but you'll see others along your journey. Write your questions down because they likely are answered. Otherwise come here for more specifics about leveling. Some of the steps are very important. The dproud thread has all the steps listed (lot of reading).

Maybe this might encourage you with your leveling. The following picture is not bermuda - it is a plugged variety of buffalo grass called Tech Turf. In this installation it is mowed to 3/4 inch once a week. This is how level you want to get.

With all the mowing you're about to be doing, you might consider getting a motorized reel mower. It will likely be self propelled and a beast, but it will really do the job. I don't have any brand in mind.

I know that is why I said he is on the right track.

I've read the threads by...
proudx (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0400530527794.html) ,
jv982 (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0411310416637.html# GWCPostAuthor10),
iwjack6 (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg0516262315925.html? 4),
aggierose (http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg031455013612.html?7 ).

With that in mind, and the advice from this thread, my plan is as follows:
1. fertilize today.
2. water, water, water (I have an irrigation system)
3. cut as low as possible w/ neighbor's reel mower Friday
4. have 6 tons of mortar sand delivered Friday
5. spread sand with small tractor and drag Saturday (could be as much as 2" or so in spots)
6. water in the sand
7. spread and level additional sand as necessary
8. water, water, water
9. buy a 25" self-propelled reel mower and be prepared to cut as low as 1/2-3/4" for life.

What do you think?

Cory

I mow 11,000 sq ft with a 27" Tru-Cut. The mower will move however fast I'm willing to walk/run after it. It takes me about 35 minutes to mow the whole lawn. My 4000 sq ft back yard (comparable to your 5000 sq ft) takes about 10 minutes. Yes, you have to do it every other day but it's not all that time consuming. Investing in the higher grade mower was one of the times that I didn't make an error.

Good luck to you and, please, post progress pics!

Don't bury the grass or you can kill it. You want to leave the grass tip blades above the sand. Do it incrementally if needed.

Otherwise the plan looks good. Remember that all battle plans go out the window the minute the first shot is fired.

1. In proud's post, he says he added up to 4" of sand and got good results. Is this just a lucky break for him or what?
2. Why wait beyond this weekend? I understand the point of adding less but why do I need to wait?

I'm just really busy on the weekends and this is one of the few where I'll have a full day to take care of it.

Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate it.

Cory

Personally, I've done all my sanding in early spring, just after the first scalp. I can't be of much help to you when sanding this time of year.

I can probably do that.

Thanks,
Cory

They are coming tomorrow to do my front yard. It's roughly 3500 sq. ft.

They are coming tomorrow to do my front yard. It's roughly 3500 sq. ft."

I couldn't help but notice that the company in your vid didn't use a sod cutter to remove the preexisting grass/root system in your lawn.

Did they not do so in your installation as well?

Also, was your lawn rolled after sod installation?

I would have been inclined to insist on a once or twice over with a boxblade also....just sayin.......