New bermuda sod not looking so good

[ajmikola]

Hello all,
We moved in two months ago to a new build. I desperately want golf course quality bermuda. I have been watering and fertilizing appropriately, but this (pics attached) is the best i can get. The builder says to give it time, my opinion is the sod is junk.
So far he wont replace it. So i bring my woes to the experts.
What can i do? Aerate? Top dress? Overseed?
Please help.










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[ECUPirate]

There's a lot of unknowns in your original post.

1. How old is the sod?
2. How long was it down before you started watering and fertilizing?
3. What have you done to it so far? Saying that you've properly watered and fertilized doesn't tell us much.

Also, if it's sod, you don't need to overseed. Sod quality bermuda doesn't come in seed form and you'd be mixing 2 different types of bermuda.

Last but not least, it's bermuda; Don't stress out over it. It'll come back with a vengeance.

[ajmikola]

Yes, to be more specific
Age: sod laid down about 60 days ago.
Water: Initially twice a day 10 min per zone. Now 20 min per zone
Fertilizer: i get a service to do my weed service because i was at my wits end in my last house. They've come out twice. Pre-emergent and fertilizer is all i know

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[tbdh20]

ajmikola,

Read this first, http://aroundtheyard.com/articles/71-be ... guide.html. It's a new lawn give it time to establish.

[tbdh20]

Looks like it was put down dormant, it will take a bit to wake up.

[Nixnix42]

When it does start heating up it will take off... its Bermuda !:)


Sent from my iOS device using the Yard Help App

[Southernguy311]

Water: Initially twice a day 10 min per zone. Now 20 min per zone

Fertilizer: i get a service to do my weed service

[ Post made via iPhone ]

You are watering 20 min per day per zone? If that is so, what motivation if any do your roots have to reach into the ground? You are keeping the top inch of soil moist enough at all times. You are creating a bad situation. Cut the watering out now. Start making sure your lawn gets 1" per week. This can come from a combination of Mother Nature and irrigation. If Mother Nature doesn't step up, maybe do 1/2" one day, the other half 4 days later.

And your contractor may be right. You are in northern AL, so be patience with your grass. When the heats comes, your Bermuda will be just fine.

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[Rockinar]

I don't think the sod is junk.

But, something is not right. It should look better than that even in Alabama @ 60 days old. I think he's over watering or over fertilizing. It's been 60 days and hes still treating it like it's new sod. He should only be watering once a week. He said he's watering every day for 20 minutes. EEK!

Looks like a lot of fence and tree shade possible. Maybe too much shade?

The sod is not junk. It's Bermuda and almost impossible to kill. I see green so it's still good.

1) Exactly what fertilizer did you use, how often and how much?

2) How often are you watering and how much?

[Krs1]

It will take you years to have golf course Bermudas lol. I put my sod down just over a year ago and stil not where I want it. I'm slowly getting there but this first dormant season really tested my patience!!! Bermuda is the biggest challenge when it come to patience but when it starts to grow you literally can watch it grow!!!

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[ajmikola]

So i meant to say i water 20 min per zone 3x/week.
I dont know what type of fertilizer the turf company i hired uses.
I get it isnt supposed to look perfect, but i would say its 50% dirt right now. Dormant bermuda is brown, but its still grass lol.
I guess i will just have to give it time, i'm not patient but i dont have a choice here.
Any thoughts on top dressing or aerating so early on in the life of the sod?

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[dfw_pilot]

Any thoughts on top dressing or aerating so early on in the life of the sod?

As TW used to say, pump the brakes a bit. Let's get it green and growing . . .

[Main_sail22]

Have no fear my man...I just layed sod two weeks ago and am fretting to no end about thatch and the overall health of the grass...I feel your pain

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[Rockinar]

So i meant to say i water 20 min per zone 3x/week.
have to give it time, i'm not patient but i dont have a choice here.
Any thoughts on top dressing or aerating so early on in the life of the sod?

I wouldn't. Just fertilize monthly and water till it gets healthy.

[Begotten]

Yes, to be more specific
Age: sod laid down about 60 days ago.
Water: Initially twice a day 10 min per zone. Now 20 min per zone
Fertilizer: i get a service to do my weed service because i was at my wits end in my last house. They've come out twice. Pre-emergent and fertilizer is all i know

[ Post made via iPhone ]

Fire the service immediately. Trust me on this. Pre-emergent should not be applied to new sod the first year.


Even without that, I meet people all the time who use those services with bad results.