Team -
I need some help. My lawn looks horrible.
Here's a little background: We're in the Heights in Houston where you're pretty much planting on clay. My friend and landlord sodded St. Augustine in Oct 2010 before he moved. My wife and I moved in that winter which you'll recall was pretty cold and harsh for a newly planted lawn. In addition, we made the mistake of not grating or laying enough topsoil before sodding (took the cheap route). I sustained it through the drought last summer with lots of water and fertilizer. In fact, I may have over-watered because it looks like the roots didn't get established in the clay (the lack of top-soil and not grading probably contributed to the problem too). In summary, we took the cheap route, planted at a terrible time, and didn't get any help from the weather.
Right now, distinct sections of my lawn look like one of three things:
1. "Honey I Shrunk the Kids Backyard Adventure Park"
Mostly our backyard. It's one third mud, one third weeds, one third St. Augustine "sprigs". It's not "patchy" per se, but a consistent mixture of all three. I say sprigs because it looks like SOME roots did take hold, although the nice sod square have washed away.
2. "Mud pit"
Everything has washed away. Our dog has contributed to the problem by always and only running in this area chasing mosquito hawks (he's kind of a weird dog) and barking at kids in strollers walking by. It's clear the sod roots never "broke through" the clay. I need to re-sod here but need some suggestions to keep the St. Augustine look but handle the dog.
3. "Poop grow zone"
Credit the same dog, he's kept this area fertilized. It's grown well enough and established that I'm committed to the St. Augustine look unless I tear out the replace the whole lawn, which I can't afford right now.
For the mixed weeds, mud, and grass adventure park, I'm hoping to avoid starting over but that's not out of the question. Is it worth trying some things to help the sprigs get the upper hand? I was thinking about putting down some "weed and feed", aerating, and maybe purchasing some new sprigs to help?
For the mud bath section, I need to re-sod but what was there before didn't work with the clay and the dog. Is there another type of St. Augustine I should try? Or a good mixture? I've read bermuda and other grass types handle traffic better, but I don't want my lawn to look at silly. Where's a good place to buy in Houston?
What about throwing bermuda seeds onto the adventure park area to grow a mixture? Does that work/look weird?
Help! I really appreciate it. I can post pics if that would help. Thanks!
[This message has been edited by AgAttack (edited 3/16/2012 3:12p).]
I need some help. My lawn looks horrible.
Here's a little background: We're in the Heights in Houston where you're pretty much planting on clay. My friend and landlord sodded St. Augustine in Oct 2010 before he moved. My wife and I moved in that winter which you'll recall was pretty cold and harsh for a newly planted lawn. In addition, we made the mistake of not grating or laying enough topsoil before sodding (took the cheap route). I sustained it through the drought last summer with lots of water and fertilizer. In fact, I may have over-watered because it looks like the roots didn't get established in the clay (the lack of top-soil and not grading probably contributed to the problem too). In summary, we took the cheap route, planted at a terrible time, and didn't get any help from the weather.
Right now, distinct sections of my lawn look like one of three things:
1. "Honey I Shrunk the Kids Backyard Adventure Park"
Mostly our backyard. It's one third mud, one third weeds, one third St. Augustine "sprigs". It's not "patchy" per se, but a consistent mixture of all three. I say sprigs because it looks like SOME roots did take hold, although the nice sod square have washed away.
2. "Mud pit"
Everything has washed away. Our dog has contributed to the problem by always and only running in this area chasing mosquito hawks (he's kind of a weird dog) and barking at kids in strollers walking by. It's clear the sod roots never "broke through" the clay. I need to re-sod here but need some suggestions to keep the St. Augustine look but handle the dog.
3. "Poop grow zone"
Credit the same dog, he's kept this area fertilized. It's grown well enough and established that I'm committed to the St. Augustine look unless I tear out the replace the whole lawn, which I can't afford right now.
For the mixed weeds, mud, and grass adventure park, I'm hoping to avoid starting over but that's not out of the question. Is it worth trying some things to help the sprigs get the upper hand? I was thinking about putting down some "weed and feed", aerating, and maybe purchasing some new sprigs to help?
For the mud bath section, I need to re-sod but what was there before didn't work with the clay and the dog. Is there another type of St. Augustine I should try? Or a good mixture? I've read bermuda and other grass types handle traffic better, but I don't want my lawn to look at silly. Where's a good place to buy in Houston?
What about throwing bermuda seeds onto the adventure park area to grow a mixture? Does that work/look weird?
Help! I really appreciate it. I can post pics if that would help. Thanks!
[This message has been edited by AgAttack (edited 3/16/2012 3:12p).]