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Started By
Message
Back yard is a mess and needs a reset. Seed or sod?
Posted on 2/10/24 at 9:53 pm
Posted on 2/10/24 at 9:53 pm
Last year between taking out three trees, drought, web worms, weeds, and the chickens my backyard looks like the sandlot/dirt pit. I need a hard reset and opinions or resources on how and when to plant new grass.
I have taken care of the chickens roaming around which should help with the scratching. Backyard is about 100x60 and has plenty of sunlight now that the trees are taken care of.
Pros and cons of sod vs seed. Doing some quick research I’m about 14 pallets of sod. Completely open to any grass type.
What to do and not to do so I don’t waste all my time and money and end up looking like it does again.
Irrigation?
I’m ready to take it down to bare dirt and till but is that necessary?
What is the best time?
TIA.
I have taken care of the chickens roaming around which should help with the scratching. Backyard is about 100x60 and has plenty of sunlight now that the trees are taken care of.
Pros and cons of sod vs seed. Doing some quick research I’m about 14 pallets of sod. Completely open to any grass type.
What to do and not to do so I don’t waste all my time and money and end up looking like it does again.
Irrigation?
I’m ready to take it down to bare dirt and till but is that necessary?
What is the best time?
TIA.
This post was edited on 2/10/24 at 10:00 pm
4
Posted on 2/10/24 at 10:25 pm to Pintail
ChatGPT:
It sounds like you're in for a significant backyard transformation! Here are some considerations for your project:
1. **Sod vs. Seed:**
- **Sod:** Pros include instant results, less susceptibility to erosion, and quicker establishment. Cons include higher initial cost and limited variety of grass types.
- **Seed:** Pros include lower cost, wider variety of grass types, and easier establishment in certain conditions. Cons include longer establishment time and vulnerability to erosion.
2. **Grass Type:**
- Consider warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine, which are well-suited to the South Louisiana climate.
3. **Preparation:**
- It may not be necessary to till the entire area down to bare dirt if the soil is already relatively even and free of debris. However, if you have compacted soil or lots of weeds, tilling could be beneficial.
4. **Timing:**
- The best time to plant grass in South Louisiana is typically during the spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is more consistent. Avoid planting during the hottest and driest months.
5. **Irrigation:**
- Consider installing irrigation to ensure consistent moisture, especially during the establishment period. This can greatly improve the success of your new grass.
6. **Maintenance:**
- Proper maintenance is key to a healthy lawn. This includes regular watering, fertilizing, mowing, and weed control.
7. **Resources:**
- Local agricultural extension offices or landscaping professionals can provide tailored advice based on your specific location and conditions.
By carefully planning and executing your lawn renovation project, you can create a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space for years to come.
It sounds like you're in for a significant backyard transformation! Here are some considerations for your project:
1. **Sod vs. Seed:**
- **Sod:** Pros include instant results, less susceptibility to erosion, and quicker establishment. Cons include higher initial cost and limited variety of grass types.
- **Seed:** Pros include lower cost, wider variety of grass types, and easier establishment in certain conditions. Cons include longer establishment time and vulnerability to erosion.
2. **Grass Type:**
- Consider warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine, which are well-suited to the South Louisiana climate.
3. **Preparation:**
- It may not be necessary to till the entire area down to bare dirt if the soil is already relatively even and free of debris. However, if you have compacted soil or lots of weeds, tilling could be beneficial.
4. **Timing:**
- The best time to plant grass in South Louisiana is typically during the spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is more consistent. Avoid planting during the hottest and driest months.
5. **Irrigation:**
- Consider installing irrigation to ensure consistent moisture, especially during the establishment period. This can greatly improve the success of your new grass.
6. **Maintenance:**
- Proper maintenance is key to a healthy lawn. This includes regular watering, fertilizing, mowing, and weed control.
7. **Resources:**
- Local agricultural extension offices or landscaping professionals can provide tailored advice based on your specific location and conditions.
By carefully planning and executing your lawn renovation project, you can create a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space for years to come.
Posted on 2/10/24 at 10:29 pm to Pintail
St Aug-shade tolerant, disease prone, doesn’t like foot traffic, spreads vegetatively only.
Centipede-shite grass, prefers to die, doesn’t like fert, you can mow once every second week.
Zoysia-tons of varities, minimal fert, most varieties tolerate shade, slow to become established.
Bermuda-great with foot traffic, excellent color, spreads fast, chemical tolerant, any shade is a death sentence.
Which one would you prefer?
Centipede-shite grass, prefers to die, doesn’t like fert, you can mow once every second week.
Zoysia-tons of varities, minimal fert, most varieties tolerate shade, slow to become established.
Bermuda-great with foot traffic, excellent color, spreads fast, chemical tolerant, any shade is a death sentence.
Which one would you prefer?
Posted on 2/10/24 at 10:58 pm to ronk
quote:
Which one would you prefer?
Between Bermuda and Zoysia but leaning zoysia. Have kids and dogs that play in the backyard so St Aug sounds like it’s out.
Posted on 2/11/24 at 8:03 am to Pintail
quote:Then get a quote for sod. Typically, the better varieties of zoysia are sod only.
leaning zoysia
Posted on 2/11/24 at 8:52 am to Pintail
Zoysia only has a sod option (Zenith sucks and is the only seed variety). I have Palisade Zoysia around my house and it’s by far my favorite over the Bermuda. However, it’s a bit slower to spread and repair than Bermuda, but is very thick and chokes out most weeds.
Bermuda has both sod and seed options. The seed varieties are cheaper and easy to establish. So this gives you a lower cost alternative to the sod. I have seeded about 3 acres with Bermuda seed and it’s been fairly good. Only takes about 10-14 days to initially establish so it’s not too difficult.
Bermuda has both sod and seed options. The seed varieties are cheaper and easy to establish. So this gives you a lower cost alternative to the sod. I have seeded about 3 acres with Bermuda seed and it’s been fairly good. Only takes about 10-14 days to initially establish so it’s not too difficult.
Posted on 2/11/24 at 8:59 am to Pintail
As stated you’d want to sod zoysia. Do your research into varieties. Call local sod companies and ask what variety they have and then google them.
Posted on 2/11/24 at 9:55 am to Pintail
Dog pee nukes zoysia, just an FYI
Posted on 2/11/24 at 7:30 pm to Pintail
Partially responding because I’m considering redoing my backyard. Will probably be a 2025 project as I want to redo all my gardens and get some new trees.
But also wanted to pass on some advice about irrigation for lawns. i asked the guy that redid my front garden, to do irrigation for my front yard. He suggested that since I had a healthy lawn and didn’t need it before this summer (drought), it would be a waste of money. Suggested to just get some sprinklers to connect to my hose and hit it during any high heat that lasts more than a few days & drought
But also wanted to pass on some advice about irrigation for lawns. i asked the guy that redid my front garden, to do irrigation for my front yard. He suggested that since I had a healthy lawn and didn’t need it before this summer (drought), it would be a waste of money. Suggested to just get some sprinklers to connect to my hose and hit it during any high heat that lasts more than a few days & drought
Posted on 2/11/24 at 7:49 pm to BoogaBear
quote:
Dog pee nukes zoysia, just an FYI
I have Bermuda, which can handle the urea better than most grass types and it still kills it.
OP, you’re looking at $5-7K to have sod purchased, delivered, and installed. Don’t fret if money is an issue, watching your lawn grow from seed is so satisfying and fun. I’m weird though
Posted on 2/12/24 at 10:56 am to Tifway419
quote:
I have Bermuda, which can handle the urea better than most grass types and it still kills it
Yeah but 1 rain and 2 days of sunshine fixes it. Bermuda repairing itself lightning quick is why I have it in my full sun backyard instead of Zoysia. I do love Zoysia grass though.
I seeded Bermuda for cheap right before a forecasted week of rain a few years ago and it just choked out almost everything else that was there. Have a company spray for weeds a few times a year and it's thriving.
Posted on 2/12/24 at 10:58 am to CatfishJohn
Also - I have found dog diet impacts their pee killing levels.
I switched my dog's food (for other reasons besides grass ) and it went from an immediate brown spot in my lawn to not really harming it.
My kids digging holes and leaving their crap all over the lawn is another story.
I switched my dog's food (for other reasons besides grass
) and it went from an immediate brown spot in my lawn to not really harming it. My kids digging holes and leaving their crap all over the lawn is another story.
Posted on 2/12/24 at 3:09 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
Zoysia only has a sod option (Zenith sucks and is the only seed variety). I have Palisade Zoysia around my house and it’s by far my favorite over the Bermuda. However, it’s a bit slower to spread and repair than Bermuda, but is very thick and chokes out most weeds.
Bermuda has both sod and seed options. The seed varieties are cheaper and easy to establish. So this gives you a lower cost alternative to the sod. I have seeded about 3 acres with Bermuda seed and it’s been fairly good. Only takes about 10-14 days to initially establish so it’s not too difficult.
I think this thread has changed my mind. Not looking to spend a whole bunch of money on sod, so it looks like Bermuda may be what I go with. Any particular varieties?
Posted on 2/12/24 at 3:10 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
My kids digging holes and leaving their crap all over the lawn is another story.
When you find the fix to this.. let me know.
Posted on 2/12/24 at 4:38 pm to Pintail
quote:
My kids digging holes and leaving their crap all over the lawn is another story.
can't help with the hole digging but run over their shite with the lawn mower a few times and they'll start cleaning it up.
Posted on 2/13/24 at 3:11 pm to poochie
Be sure to test your soil before slapping down sod and truthfully assessing the amount of sun it gets.
Our backyard is also crap at the moment. We sodded it, and it looked great for a year, maybe two... but it just couldn't cut it. One day I'll revisit it.
We have 99% zoysia, couple different varieties depending on where it is, and bermuda in a remote part of the lawn where we have no water access.
Our backyard is also crap at the moment. We sodded it, and it looked great for a year, maybe two... but it just couldn't cut it. One day I'll revisit it.
We have 99% zoysia, couple different varieties depending on where it is, and bermuda in a remote part of the lawn where we have no water access.
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