We bought the house at the end of February and at the time the back yard was overrun with winter weeds. This is our first house so we went with the advice of "treat it like grass and it'll grow grass." We also decided..lets just see what grows before we do anything landscaping wise.

Well, we are now ready to do something since the lawn looks like crap. Unfortunately, its almost the middle of June and looks like we've passed the point of doing anything major. I will attach pictures to this but the point I want to make is that I am willing to do the work now for a great lawn next year I just need to know what to do and how to even get started.

A few things first....I have a 16 month old son that loves to run around in the back yard, so anything I put on the lawn I'd prefer if it was safe for him. If I have to though I'll keep him out of it for a few weeks. Secondly I have no clue what kind of grass I have or how to even begin tackling this issue. The good news, from what I've read, is that I haven't done ANYTHING. So there isn't anything I've screwed up that needs to be fixed..lol

That being said, I mow at max height, need to get the in ground sprikler system fixed or at least looked at, but I do have hose sprinkles. I'm thinking about getting the soil tested but wanted to see what you guys thought first.

And without further adu....pictures!~

Back yard spots

Close up of back yard, that is crabgrass right? to the right? I have a ton of that in the back yard.

Another view of back yard, can see the weeds better

Front yard, note bare patches and tree. The tree provides ample shade for most of the yard.

Close up of front yard grass.

Don't know if the pictures will download but here is a direct link to the album....
http://imageshack.us/g/846/p6110163.jpg/

Thank you all in advance for your help!

If it were mine, I could have a decent yard by the end of the summer if I could afford the water. Bermuda is aggressive and can fill in quickly given enough Nitrogen, water, sunlight, and low mowing. I'd give it normal care (ie Bermuda Bible) and see how it goes.

I'd also be spot spraying the crabgrass with MSMA since I hoarded some before it went off the market. I don't know what works now. If Neil Sperry can be believed, there's nothing left. A spring pre-emergent will control crabgrass and once the lawn gets thick, crabgrass doesn't stand much of a chance anyway.

Back yard spots

I appologize in advance for the lenth of this, I have been lerking for a few days and I figure its best to give all the information possible. First of all I'm in San Antonio, Texas. We have a wooded area behind us with PLENTY of deer running around, and eating our flowers..lol
We bought the house at the end of February and at the time the back yard was overrun with winter weeds. This is our first house so we went with the advice of "treat it like grass and it'll grow grass." We also decided..lets just see what grows before we do anything landscaping wise.

Well, we are now ready to do something since the lawn looks like crap. Unfortunately, its almost the middle of June and looks like we've passed the point of doing anything major. I will attach pictures to this but the point I want to make is that I am willing to do the work now for a great lawn next year I just need to know what to do and how to even get started.

A few things first....I have a 16 month old son that loves to run around in the back yard, so anything I put on the lawn I'd prefer if it was safe for him. If I have to though I'll keep him out of it for a few weeks. Secondly I have no clue what kind of grass I have or how to even begin tackling this issue. The good news, from what I've read, is that I haven't done ANYTHING. So there isn't anything I've screwed up that needs to be fixed..lol

That being said, I mow at max height, need to get the in ground sprikler system fixed or at least looked at, but I do have hose sprinkles. I'm thinking about getting the soil tested but wanted to see what you guys thought first.

And without further adu....pictures!~

Back yard spots

Close up of back yard, that is crabgrass right? to the right? I have a ton of that in the back yard.

Another view of back yard, can see the weeds better

Front yard, note bare patches and tree. The tree provides ample shade for most of the yard.

Close up of front yard grass.

Last thing I wanted to add is that I see alot of cracking in the soil. If it hasn't rained for a few days here...which it never rains anyway...the ground will have deep cracks in it.

Thanks again!

If you have Bermuda, this shade is not your friend. Bermuda is a full sun grass, it will not thrive in shady conditions. Even the newest "shade tolerant" Bermuda's are better off in full sun.

That's the main reason I'm not suggesting anything more elaborate right now. I'd hate to see you spend time and money when the main summer heat and dry weather is right in front of us. IMO, it's better to wait until May when you'll have some rain to help out.

Yeah, you can spray the Dallis Grass now. Like I said, you'll also kill any grass that the spray touches but a few more bare spots won't be an issue right now. Kill it out now and apply a pre-emergent in spring to keep any seeds from sprouting (unless you decide to seed the lawn).

Yes, with water, fertilizer, and regular mowing, you can have a much better lawn by fall. You can seed next spring if you wish but I wouldn't do it now unless you can afford the water.

Dallis grass is a bugger. It is easier to control in St Augustine only because St Aug is mowed higher and the dallis grass has not salt tolerance.

Follow the Bermuda Bible. Don't know what it means to wait until after Labor Day. You should be doing everything (weekly water, 2x weekly mowing, and monthly fertilizer) right NOW. There is nothing to wait for. You have 7 hours per week to water. Get hoses (Craftsman) and hose timers (Orbit) until you get your sprinkler fixed. The best hose timers are programmable. I have not seen them for sale at the box stores in San Antonio. Got mine on Amazon.

Soil cracking can be helped with an organic approach. First I would spray the soil with any clear shampoo at a rate of 3 ounces per 1,000 square feet. Do that twice at 2-week intervals followed by a 1-inch irrigation. Then periodically apply an organic fertilizer like corn meal, alfalfa pellets, or soy bean meal. Apply at 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. That will feed the beneficial fungi in your soil and they will close the cracks for you. Periodically means at least one of your normal fertilizer apps should be organic. I would do them all but that's what I do. In fact I would go a little crazy and do it once a month with organics, but don't try that with chemical fertilizers. I think your cracks will close up.