I recently started caring for Bermuda, and it quickly fills in during summer and repairs itself well. I haven’t overseeded with rye in winter yet because I’m focusing on my pre-emergent program. Once I’m on top of the weeds, I’ll probably try it.
Look at reducing the amount of lawn you have. It’s the only way to cut costs. You have room to make more large garden beds, which would be much cheaper.
Please don’t advocate for eating things grown in a lawn.
Is there any seasonality to the dry patches? I’m wondering if you have any pests. You might dig down in certain dry patches to check for grubs. I have a garden infested with them; they go after my apple tree roots, and I’ve heard they also attack grass.
I thought this was the cover image of Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us”
Do it!!! You will not regret it.
The upfront cost for sod and installation will be steep, but it’s going to save you a ton of work.
Don’t piecemeal the sod work; you might not get the same variety.
Shai said:
Do it!!! You will not regret it.
The upfront cost for sod and installation will be steep, but it’s going to save you a ton of work.
Don’t piecemeal the sod work; you might not get the same variety.
Is it not possible to do it from seed? I think I can get better quality seed than sod.
@Yan
To me, seed is riskier and more expensive. You have to kill and prep for both, obviously. Seed requires more prep, and then you have runoff, being eaten by pests, and weather damage. It’s a slow growth with more weather risk. There is hydroseeding, though.
With sod, it’s simpler: prep, lay, and water.
If you do spacing, do the front first, then the back.
@Shai
Yeah, I just don’t know the quality of sod I might find near me.
@Shai
No one has really answered my question. Does Bermuda still require overseeding and yearly lawn care services if I don’t want to do it myself? Am I going to save money or not?
Yan said:
@Shai
No one has really answered my question. Does Bermuda still require overseeding and yearly lawn care services if I don’t want to do it myself? Am I going to save money or not?
No, Bermuda does NOT need overseeding.
Pre-emergent is strongly recommended. You will save quite a bit compared to regular maintenance for fescue. How much you save will depend on the quality you want. You can transition from a weed control program to a weed and fertilization schedule. It depends on aims and budget. You can pay or learn to DIY, but remember, you get what you pay for with Reddit advice.
Damn, I need a career like you.
Needs some of WI’s finest (raw sewage) Milorganite!
Mali said:
Needs some of WI’s finest (raw sewage) Milorganite!
Milorganite is not a general-purpose lawn fertilizer. Two main reasons:
- It lacks potassium, which is crucial for grass. Established grass should receive about 1/5th as much potassium as nitrogen annually.
- It has a large amount of phosphorus, which established grass doesn’t need much of; mulching clippings usually suffices. Excess phosphorus pollutes water and causes toxic algae blooms.
Milorganite can correct a phosphorus deficiency or repel digging animals but isn’t suitable for regular lawn fertilization.
For good alternatives, Scott’s and Sta-green make excellent fertilizers. Don’t overthink it; basic nutrients are what count.