The clay in bermuda is fine...

[cbianco]

I recently bought a house, yay me!

I was put in charge of taking care of the outside duties, which is fine by me, I love being outside. I have started to landscape and I am quite happy with my meager progress.

I have one little problem. My bermuda grass is growing in a block of clay. My entire yard is clay, no dirt. What are my options when it comes to loosening up this soil?

FWIW, tonight I topdresses some bumpy areas in my lawn. For the most part my lawn is level. I used topsoil and raked it out. I also spread a thin layer of manure and humus (mixture) for a bit of fertilizer, across my front lawn. What are my options for fertilization?

Lastly, my bermuda has numerous weeds. Does anyone know of a good weed killer to use on bermuda? If possible I would like a fertilizer and weed killer combination.

Christopher

[Bill S]

Well, the good news: Crabgrass killer works GREAT on burmuda. Look for something with MSMA in it. It's tough on St. Augustine, but works well with Burmuda.

Burmuda grass likes sandy soil. The BEST thing you can do it siphon off the substrate from your tank... Nah, that's not it! Get a load of sandy loam, and put it on top.

[taldrich13]

I recommend Medina Soil Activator to break up the clay. It'll take a couple applications though.

[cbianco]

Well, the good news: Crabgrass killer works GREAT on burmuda. Look for something with MSMA in it. It's tough on St. Augustine, but works well with Burmuda.

Burmuda grass likes sandy soil. The BEST thing you can do it siphon off the substrate from your tank... Nah, that's not it! Get a load of sandy loam, and put it on top.

Will MSMA kill other weeds besides crabgrass? (I will research this product in a second).

Would putting sand ontop of the clay be sufficient or do I need to work it in somehow? Should I use southdown :P ?

I recommend Medina Soil Activator to break up the clay. It'll take a couple applications though.

I am going to look this up. Is it a permenent solution or is a a quick fix that you have to reapply often?

Christopher

[Texreefer]

i second the medina soil activator and the use of liberal top dressing at least two times a year for the next couple of years,, and fertilizer in oct, feb,june,, the best way to get rid of weeds is a healthy lawn

[Bill S]

Aeration of your lawn works well to help push what you have on top, down into the clay, and to break up the clay. You can rent an aerator from a rental store. If your soil it truely a "block of clay", with no sand and little organic matter in it, you need to fix that. Add sandy loam & organic matter (something like a manure top dressing), and aerate it in.

You might have a lawn expert come out and look it over - they want your business, and will do it for free. Then just do yourself what they recommend.

[cbianco]

I'm looking into top dressing with compost. I have leveled with topsoil and spread manure already. I am pretty sure, short of tilling your yard, there are no quick fixes.

Christopher

[MattK]

Go rent a dozer and I'll bring the 18pk.