[RaginCajun]

I see a lot of REALLY professional lawn progression threads. While I am learning and formulating plans, this is my exceptionally budget guided lawn renovation. Location: South Louisiana.

So without further ado...

MARCH 21, 2018:
Entire backyard tilled approximately 3-4".
Leveled with homemade drag mat (4x4 w/ chicken wire).

Scott's bermuda seed broadcasted per instructions.
Scott's Starter Fertilizer broadcasted per instructions.

Lawn was treated with non selective herbicide (round up) approximately 3 weeks prior.





March 30, 2018
Seed has begun to germinate which was stunning due to low temperatures (40-50F @ night regularly).



April 4, 2018
And my old friend purple nutsedge joins the party. (insert expletives here)





April 9, 2018
Little did he know Sedgehammer was invited too.



April 10, 2018
Nutsege sprayed.



April 18, 2018
Light application (1/2 of instructed dose) of fertilizer (Scott's Southern Lawn Food) applied.


Much warmer temperatures and beautiful weather in the forecast. Hope to see the bermuda take off and watch the nutsedge wither.

Any criticism (constructive) is appreciated. Tips, suggestions etc. also welcome.

 

[J_nick]

Do you have a reel mower? My grass seemed to respond well to being cut at day 17 after seeding. I'm sure I had higher temps during my reno than you've had especially with the crazy temps everyone has had this year. The lower temps will slow the development of the grass. You can check out the difference from the first cut then 4 days later, it still blows my mind.

 

[Colonel K0rn]

Nice job! Looks like you'll have a fine lawn come Father's Day! And I agree on the reel mow after seeding. My first cut was with the push reel, and I used that for a few mows until I got the greens mower.

 

[RaginCajun]

No reel mower. Just a rotary.

Should I cut it at all?

Water daily or slack off?

 

[Colonel K0rn]

Water daily, if it dries out, it dies. Keep going until you start seeing it sending out stolons, then you can back off. I was hand-watering my babies for the first 2 weeks.

 

[J_nick]

I agree with CK. Once you got good coverage you could back off a little. What I did was take a toothpick and uproot a few seedlings and see how deep their roots were, then never let it dry out to that level.

I would wait till the seedling got bigger so you can easily see drought stress before cutting back on the water. I would only cut back on water during the weekends so I could watch for any stress throughout the day.

 

[Greendoc]

That is such a good idea. Dry it down when you can watch it.

 

[RaginCajun]

April 22, 2018



Nutsedge is showing signs of death and the patches of bermuda are getting thicker/taller. Really hope to see them start stolonzing soon. I now can say I appreciate and understand the saying "watching grass grow".

 

[balistek]

How long does it take for you to water that size yard with one sprinkler and get adequate water down.

 

[RaginCajun]

10 min. It covers the whole thing in 1 pass with coverage to spare.

 

[RaginCajun]

Such a beautiful sight. Thumbs up for sedgehammer. No visible damage to bermuda.

 

[raldridge2315]

Such a beautiful sight. Thumbs up for sedgehammer. No visible damage to bermuda.

:thumbup:

 

[RaginCajun]

May 11th 2018
Cut today. Tending to large bare spots with Scott's EZ seed which has started to germinate even in high traffic areas. Bonus pic is from landscaping done a week prior.

 

[M311att]

WHO DAT! Looking good!

 

[Colonel K0rn]

Nice coverage. You now can update your grass type in your profile

You can also address some of those broadleaves that are starting to pop up, and put down some PreM to get the rest of the summer weeds that might come along. I'd suggest Dimension (dithiopyr). It'll give you some PreM and PostM control of crabgrass.

 

[RaginCajun]

Yeah. I see some crab/dallisgrass creeping in. Will. Dimension be enough to kill it and prevent further growth?

 

[balistek]

if you ever feel like buying MSMA will make short work of those hard to kill grasses like dallisgrass, i'd be willing to split. Looking great so far

 

[RaginCajun]

May 16, 2018
Torn between frustration and pride. I have growing bermuda I planted by seed but am fighting weeds left and right. Day Temps over 90 are limiting what to use and I'm so hesitant to try something that will kill the good lot of bermuda I have. Overseeing of bare spots is coming through though. So. Win?

 

[Colonel K0rn]

Yeah. I see some crab/dallisgrass creeping in. Will. Dimension be enough to kill it and prevent further growth?

Yes, go ahead and put it down at the label rate.

 

[RaginCajun]

May 19, 2018
Good lord this bermuda grows fast! Have some msma coming (thanks topcat) and will apply next week.
Couple questions:
Its HOT (over 90) how much per 1k should I use and not cause damage to the grass?

I have a few strands of nutsedge creeping back. Will msma kill them too or can I mix sedgehammer and apply at the same time.