Sirhornsalot! Have a question

[elcerda]

I just put down some Pallisades Zoysia sod. What do I need to be doing from now until Spring to ensure a beautiful green lawn for spring and Summer? Thanks in advance !!

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I just put down some Pallisades Zoysia sod. What do I need to be doing from now until Spring to ensure a beautiful green lawn for spring and Summer? Thanks in advance !!

Nice choice with the Palisades Zoysia, it's a beautiful turf grass.

Here are a few things I would do if in your shoes over the next few months.

1. For the first couple of weeks, keep the sod damp. Then water once a week through the winter months as you would with the rest of your lawn.

2. If you see cold, freezing temperatures coming, get the sod watered. Wet soil is harder to freeze than dry soil. Watering protects the sod.

3. Don't put anything on it, chemically, until spring.

4. In late January, apply a topdressing using a nice, powdery compost such as dairy cow manure compost. A nice thin layer, not thick enough to conceal the grass but thick enough that you definitely see it.

5. Apply a pre-emergent for the first time immediately after applying the topdressing. Apply same day. You will apply pre emergent again in late August and early-mid November.

6. It would be beneficial to aerate the lawn prior to applying the topdressing.

7. Plan on a fertilization or weed/feed in mid-March, depending on where you are and what the weather is like this spring.

8. Make your first lawn cutting short (not scalped). This will encourage the turf to come out of dormancy sooner. Following mowings need to be at 3" cut and raise to 3.5" inches through the hot months (June-Aug).

9. Get a grub killer down by mid-May.

10. If you're in Texas, you should probably consider an application of Hydretain in the June-July-Aug period. One application works for three months. Dramatic water usage reduction while gaining healthier plants. See link for more info. We carry and apply this product. Hydretain® Fights Drought and Reduces Watering of Plants, Turf and Agriculture

That's a good list to start with. I recommend you do the topdressing every year, same time of year. It's a real difference maker for the whole season.

 

[bbdude]

This is great stuff!

 

[elcerda]

Awesome!!! Thank you so much. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[marathon]

Sirhornsalot,

This post started me thinking again about my yard. I have the worst looking front yard on our street. It's not big but a few trees in my yard block the sun and some morning sun blocked from neighbors trees. No afternoon sun for the front yard. Hell, I'm not even sure what grass we have. I think it's St Augustine but might be Bermuda or a combination. I don't know what type of grass we should have.

When is the best time to address this (re-sod etc). To further complicate things we may sell in a year or so and down size. I don't want to spend a fortune but am tired of a crappy yard and would like better drive up appeal.

I live in Arlington.