October Landscapes – Avoid the monumental "Oops!"

[Sirhornsalot]

The grass place in Oak Hill sells a brumada called "Celebration" that sounds shade ok. The backyard gets about half shade during the day. How does brumada Celebration compare to Zoysia?

I'm planning on replacing all the side and front yard grass that is full sun as well.

Thanks for the dialogue.

There is no bermuda that can survive in shade. Celebration is no different. Celebration is known for its drought tolerance more than anything else.

If you simply don't want to get into going into another turf, you could take that shaded area and turn it into a bordered river rock garden with some shade-friendly plants. Use the small 1"-2" river rock and not the larger stuff. You can border it off from the lawn using a chopped natural stone or even a simple metal edging. It ends your frustration while brightening up a dark area of the landscape. The river rock is a one-time purchase, is easily blown through with a blower without losing your rock (unlike a mulch) when you clean up the leaves. Looks nice, too.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Thanks for the insight and advice. Truly appreciate it. Here's an issue that I've been dealing with for a couple of years. I have a pair of Bradford Pear trees and the grass below them and around them keeps getting overtaken by clovers. We're almost at a point of starting all over and resodding that whole area. Before we do that, any advice on how to get rid of the clovers and restore the grass? Thanks again.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Thanks for the insight and advice. Truly appreciate it. Here's an issue that I've been dealing with for a couple of years. I have a pair of Bradford Pear trees and the grass below them and around them keeps getting overtaken by clovers. We're almost at a point of starting all over and resodding that whole area. Before we do that, any advice on how to get rid of the clovers and restore the grass? Thanks again.

If the grass is Bermuda, then thats why you have clover there. Bermuda does not like being under trees which cause shade. With each year, that Pear tree grows and casts more shade. And when the good guys (turf) leaves, the bad guys moves in (clover, weeds).

You may want to consider creating a large ring around that tree and creating a bed there with shade tolerant flowers/plants. Another option would be going to a St Augustine or Zoysia turf which tolerates shade.

You could probably pull off the Bermuda if you were to really stay after those Pear trees' growth, keeping them trimmed.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Thanks SHA. Kind of what I figured, but good to hear it from a pro.

 

[Embrey]

SHA, I live in the San Antonio area. I have a problem you might be able to help me with. My yard is San Augustine. When does it go dormant? I want to time my final mow.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

SHA, I live in the San Antonio area. I have a problem you might be able to help me with. My yard is San Augustine. When does it go dormant? I want to time my final mow.

You'll likely mow twice in November. St Augustine will stay green through cool weather, it just won't grow much. But once you get that first freeze, it's heading to dormancy.

That should be in late November for your area, right?

 

[Embrey]

That sounds correct. I always raise my mower height late in the season. The worst thing many of my neighbors do is to semi-scalp right before dormancy sets in. I like the tall, full lawn heading into the winter. Thank you

 

[MikeV73]

Hey Mark, I am still dealing with a dollar weed issue you educated me on six months ago. Eventually it did die off mostly after treatment. It left a good crop circle...which has now been filled with dollar weed again. Any advice? Also, I haven't fertilized recently, is it ok to lay down some fertilizer/weed killer now or have I missed a good window for St Augustine? Lastly, due to winter coming, is it worth treating my yard completely for fire ants or should I just spot treat the mounds that have appeared in the last few weeks?

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Hey Mark, I am still dealing with a dollar weed issue you educated me on six months ago. Eventually it did die off mostly after treatment. It left a good crop circle...which has now been filled with dollar weed again. Any advice? Also, I haven't fertilized recently, is it ok to lay down some fertilizer/weed killer now or have I missed a good window for St Augustine? Lastly, due to winter coming, is it worth treating my yard completely for fire ants or should I just spot treat the mounds that have appeared in the last few weeks?

Being that temperatures have cooled so much, you'll likely not have any grow back in those spots. Clear the dollar weed and insert pieces of sod, cut to fit, into those spots.

Do not fertlize. It will cause fungus.

I would spot treat the fire ants. They won't be around much longer. Do a lawn-wide application in mid-spring.

 

[MikeV73]

Being that temperatures have cooled so much, you'll likely not have any grow back in those spots. Clear the dollar weed and insert pieces of sod, cut to fit, into those spots.

Do not fertlize. It will cause fungus.

I would spot treat the fire ants. They won't be around much longer. Do a lawn-wide application in mid-spring.

Thanks Mark, I will get on those issues once we thrash the cyclones. I usually get my bulk sod from the Grass Patch in Leander where I live. However, they usually don't sell small quantities. Any recommendations on where to purchase small sod quantities in my area? Will only need about 20 sq feet of St. Augustine. Hope your gall bladder is better and can handle the game tonight!

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Thanks Mark, I will get on those issues once we thrash the cyclones. I usually get my bulk sod from the Grass Patch in Leander where I live. However, they usually don't sell small quantities. Any recommendations on where to purchase small sod quantities in my area? Will only need about 20 sq feet of St. Augustine. Hope your gall bladder is better and can handle the game tonight!

I've never had a problem buying small quantities around Austin. King Ranch Turf is one place that sells me small quantities.

Lowes and Home Depot will usually have St Aug sod. Its a little more expensive but with your small amount needed it shouldn't be that much.

 

[gmcc]

Hi Mark

What is your favorite organic fertilizer for St Augustine lawns (south of Longview- Lake Cherokee)?  And do you applied it earlier than April 1 (my normal first fertilization date).  I have deep sugar sand, therefore most elements leach right through it- I hope the organic will do better than commercial products.

Ps:  Texas 31- KState 17

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Hey gmcc, Microlife has been a product I have been pleased with. Its a pellet-form, but is all-natural. You will see a surge of mushrooms with this product, but that is just because of all the nutrients being released combined with conditions. Nothing that will alarm you, just get some practice on your field goal kicking skills.

http://www.microlifefertilizer.com

 

[MikeV73]

Hey gmcc, Microlife has been a product I have been pleased with. Its a pellet-form, but is all-natural. You will see a surge of mushrooms with this product, but that is just because of all the nutrients being released combined with conditions. Nothing that will alarm you, just get some practice on your field goal kicking skills.

http://www.microlifefertilizer.com

Be sure to practice short field goals and onsides kicks while clearing those shrooms.