Need Advice on Yard Repair

[2manyrocks]

Just looking at the photos, I was wondering if part of your yard where the most dirt is showing was cut down or graded down? It sort of looks like you have Bermuda grass growing pretty well, and then you have this area of almost bare dirt suggesting there isn't much top soil in that area?

To maintain the grade, looks like you might have to cut out some of that red dirt and bring in a load of better soil or till in some compost.

My post is worth every penny you paid for it. Your local soil extension agent may be able to give you some real help as others have suggested. Our agent came out and told me what kind of soil we have and why it's poor soil just looking at his soil maps of the area. Then he started telling me about why I have this weed and that weed...

 

[DennisH]

Just looking at the photos, I was wondering if part of your yard where the most dirt is showing was cut down or graded down? It sort of looks like you have Bermuda grass growing pretty well, and then you have this area of almost bare dirt suggesting there isn't much top soil in that area?

You are pretty much right on target. I'm guessing a lack of top soil is most of the problem in the bare areas but who knows at this point.

I have spent the last several hours reading everything about bermuda grass and how other people have prep their ground. Seed instead of Sod seems to be the method of choice.

Looks like I'm looking at;

1) A soil test

2) Remove ground cover leaving the bermuda grass that is established alone. I will rent a Harley Rake for this

3) Run a disk Harrow around the areas to be re-seeded followed up with the tiller to about 4" deep. Goal is to smooth out the contours of yard the best I can keeping in mind it does sloap downward.

4) Add compost, lime, fertilizer est as required per soil test and work in with tiller as required.

5) Drag smooth with drag harrow, chain link fence / log, land plane etc.

6) Broadcast in seed

7) Cover with straw???????????

8) Add Water


Does this sound about right?

 

[samhudson3]

Looks like you have a handle on it, DennisH.

Couple of things: soil test is going to be hard to read and understand. Will have recommendations of tons per acre and stuff like that. Talk to the local extension to get a translation.

Use agricultural lime, it's a powder and works faster than the pelleted stuff.

Do cover with straw and water, water, water. Most grass is best established in the fall, so be sure to water through the summer.

Good luck!

 

[MarkV]

Only thing I would add is after seeding the soil/seed needs some compacting for seed to soil contact. You can do that with a roller or just drive over it with the tractor for a solid seed base.

MarkV