Burmuda Lawn Questions

That is not really scalping but it is better than these 3 inch tall bermuda lawns I see. If you bagged and took out most of the weeds then I wouldn't pay someone to scalp. When you say growing at a slow rate do you mean vertically or laterally? Lateral growth is more important in bermuda than vertical.

Scalping and aerating don't really go hand in hand unless you are leveling. You can still level at 1.5 inches but it will be a little more work.

I do like leveling right after aerating and I've used sandy loam in the past which is much harder to push around that straight sand. I will use sand next time.

I'm assuming you have tif 419 since that is what most builders use in DFW. It loves fert so make sure the company you use applies a high nitrogen fert. If the builder installed Tex turf ten then you are screwed.

As long as the grass is thick I wouldn't worry about vertical growth. Also DFW had a 73 day drought and even irrigation can't compete with mother nature.

I aerate every year regardless of lawn leveling. Aerating relieves compaction, allow nutrients to be exchanged at the root level, and reduces thatch.

Tif is super fine bladed and gets dark green. Tex turf 10 is going to look more like common bermuda, wider blade, less color. I find that Tex turf 10 has to be mowed higher so you get this taller duller color lawn.

Yeah I believe I will eventually take this on. But they have done a damn good job with weed control. My yard looks incredible compared to all neighbors right now in regards to weeds. But that’s not saying much as I don’t know what they are all doing.

I just wanna focus on getting it healthy and green.

Better to water all at once or 2 over 2 days a week. Keep cut low every 3/4 days. Don’t scalp. Keeping it low makes I run sideways. Aerate in early spring and fertilize once temperature starts over 70 at night. Dethatch as needed. Once watered you should be able to stick 7 inch screwdriver all the way in ground. Do not water ever day or over water as you will get shallow roots and root rot.

I'm in Memphis so close to the same latitude as you. I cut mine back in probably Jan, when it was all completely dormant.

My yard is bermuda and zoysia.

Bermuda likes fertilizer. Also, mine responds very well to ironite. Gets the yard a very deep green.

I've been in my house for 14 years now, and it's never been aerated. I know that would help it but it still looks good enough that I'm not worried about it. The roots on my grass are extremely deep. I don't water too much and really don't start until July unless it's been really hot and dry like last year.