Hello,
The bermuda grass on my ~500 sq. ft. front lawn is nearly gone due to a medium size tree that shades most of it all day. I can (and will) prune/thin the tree, but it will still be too shaded for bermuda, so I plan to re-sod with Palmetto St. Augustine.
My soil is the typical hard-compacted black gumbo found around N. Texas, and I need to know what I should put down on top for the sod to properly take root and flourish. I will use a sod cutter to remove what little bermuda is left, and I can till the existing soil if I have to.
My question is, should I just till in compost/green sand/lava sand to existing soil... or should I just bring in a good soil like enriched loamy sand (or other comparable soil mixture), followed by proper amendments after the sod is in place ... Or?? Suggestions..?

Thanks!

st aug prefers just sand as apossed to black soil!

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if it aint broke, it will be!

The tree presents more problems than you know. If you till you'll chew up the tree roots. If you bring in more soil, you might bury the tree at the base causing bark rot that kills the tree.

Don't till at all. I'd apply compost at a rate of 1-3 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet in the area you want to resod. If you go to 3 yards/1,000, then the remaining bermuda should smother out. That would leave you a good area to sod in the St Augustine.

Check the fungal resistance of your St Aug varieties before deciding. Chasing diseases around with corn meal gets to be no fun after a few years.

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David Hall
Moderator
Dirt Doctor Lawns Forum

Thanks for the replies.

One more thing... being nearly September, its not too late to be putting in St. Aug sod, is it?

Tim

tool.man it's not too late for St Augustine sod. We have lots of warm days left here in N Texas. My augustine appears to grow faster in 80 degree weather than in 90+ degree. Where in the area did you find Palmetto St. Augustine? This appears to be a popular variety, although I don't believe its resistant to SAD.

You choose, the tree or the sod.

Grass doesn't grow in the forest thus grass won't grow in tree shaded spots in your yard. If you care about the health of the tree use mulch instead of grass. It will look nice too.

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September 24, 2004 : Preparing for the second deadly hurricane to hit this area this month! I can't take much more of this.

Taxodium,

Thanks for the insight. The tree is of medium size and the canopy isn't very dense. Most of the area under it does get 2-3 hours of sun during the morning. By observing similar yards of neighbors with St. Aug, it should do fine in my situation.

Dogwind,
Thanks for the info. I have found two dealers for Palmetto, A-1 Grass in Plano and Turfgrass America in Granbury. I am most likely choosing it because it seems to be the best suited for my needs, namely shade and cold tolerance. Regarding SAD, here is a quote from this link: http://www.turfgrassamerica.com/info/palmetto.phtml
"St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus has not been detected in Palmetto, even after being inoculated with the virus by researchers at Texas A&M; University. Others are conducting more research in this area."
I am also interested in a fairly new turfgrass called Reveille, a bluegrass hybrid developed by Texas A&M. Its available from Gardner Turfgrass in Tioga. www.reveilleturf.com

Tim

Yes, st. aug does appear to do well in light shade... but it still aint gonna grow in a forest.

I think pruning is a bad idea unless absolutely necessary but if you're set on doing it check this site for tips on doing it properly and take care not to cut more than 20%.

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September 24, 2004 : Preparing for the second deadly hurricane to hit this area this month! I can't take much more of this.

tool.man thanks for that bit of info. That site makes palmetto sound that the best variety of augustine yet. I'm surprised more dealers don't stock it around here. If I find I need some more sod, I may go after some.