In the 10 years since we put in the bermuda yard we have gone from all day sun to 50% sun (most of the yard gets either morning or afternoon sun still) as the trees have matured. We have been all organic for about 4 years. In some shaded areas the bermuda is weak and we have a healthy case of dollar weed. Since St. Augustine seems
to do better in with less sun, I was considering plugging with St. Augustine. But, apparently the St Augustine will not take over in the
areas that still get full sun. Now, I'm reading so much about Zoysia but can't find any info on North Texas result from plugging. Dirt Doctor says to sod, but does not seem to support Zoyzia grass in general. I am very confused and need Help!! Thanks in advance for any advice.

St. Augustine and Zoysia will both grow in sun and shade. Less shade for Zoysia.

Zoysia is great if you have more money than time. It is a very slow grower and needs to be planted solid. Because it grows slowly it can be mowed less. Foot/paw traffic is very damaging.

I like St. Augustine better because it can be planted more sparsely and I like to romp with kids, dogs and horses in the yard. We used a checkerboard techinique but in general the more area you cover the greater success and faster coverage.

Another way to go is a shade loving ground cover if you like your bermuda

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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

How exactly do you lay sod in a checkerboard pattern? Do you fill the in-between spaces with compost, or Do you excavate some soil for the sod you lay, or do you just not worry about the level? What kind of preparation does this take?

We didn't bother with the level. Mind you the area is huge. Think of how you'd plant mass shrubs. Lets say each square is a foot. We layed the squares with one square space between each. In a somewhat checkerboard fashion. In one growing season a few runners ran between the squares.

When I was a kid my dad used plugs after a very dry cold winter killed our St. Augustine. It took a few years but it worked.

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In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Thank you!

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Thank you!