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Old 03-28-2011, 08:50 AM
 
4 posts, read 16,266 times
Reputation: 11

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I just moved here from the midwest where we never had to do much to keep our lawns in good shape. I need some advice on what to do with my lawn here in San Antonio. Our grass was brown when we moved in but is now slowly starting to green up. It's burmuda grass and since I am unfamiliar with both the type of grass and the quality of the ground here, I am wondering a few things:
1) How often do you water and for how long?

2) What do most of your yards have for dirt? Is it sandy, clay, top soil, etc...??? I am thinking the dirt doesn't look like it retains much moisture.

3) When do you use to fertalize each year? I don't want too do it to early or too late.

4) Any other advice, tips???

I know I am not going to have the same lawn we had in Iowa, but it would be great to at least have grass and not let it turn to patches of dirt.

Thanks for your help!
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Old 03-28-2011, 09:32 AM
 
Location: San Antonio, TX
11,495 posts, read 26,733,345 times
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Bermuda grass is dormant in the winter. That's why it was brown...if you see a really green yard in Jan or Feb they've top-seeded with winter rye usually.
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:07 AM
 
Location: New Braunfels, TX
7,105 posts, read 11,747,687 times
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As noted, bermuda goes dormant in winter. Ours is just starting to green - it comes out of dormancy when low temperatures exceed 50 F (overnight temps usually are the lowest, so...). I like to listen to KTSA (550 AM) on the weekends - they have an excellent gardening show who's host is really good about suggesting care, etc.
I water weekly to get about 1" of water onto the grass. FWIW, ours is currently Bermuda, but I'm gradually plugging it to "carpet grass". The thinking several years back was that Bermuda is more drought tolerant, but practical experience is showing that the two grasses have about the same water requirements, and I think the carpet grass looks a LOT nicer. The plugs will gradually take over from the bermuda, and actually do better at keeping weeds choked out.
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:36 AM
 
Location: San Antonio
584 posts, read 1,188,022 times
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I also have burmuda and it is slowly turning green. My spinkler is set to once a week due to that is what we are allowed to water during Stage 1 water restrictions. Watering that one day is enough because you want to get a good soak versus multiple times a week with less time.

Fertilizing I currently have Scotts come to my house. They do all the process to keep me from breaking my back. My husband and I do take care of mowing and edging though. Scotts is about $42 every 6 weeks I think. I pay $37 with a military discount. I also have them aerate the yard which helps also. This is also another visit cost but if you rent the aerator it would cost you more.
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Old 03-28-2011, 07:02 PM
 
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How long do you water per zone once a week?
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:18 PM
 
Location: New Braunfels, TX
7,105 posts, read 11,747,687 times
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Verio, the length of time depends on the coverage and kinds of heads you have. The key is to actually measure the water, and adjust the time accordingly. Bottom line - you want an inch of water on the yard. For me, that's about 40 minutes per zone, so I split them - 20 minutes each zone, run each zone through twice - that gives the water time to soak from the first application.
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Old 03-28-2011, 10:45 PM
 
Location: Kallison Ranch, San Antonio,TX.
1,671 posts, read 3,823,729 times
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Welcome to San Antonio!

Please visit the SAWS Webpage and look under the Conservation Toolbar. You'll find many valuable sources of information including rebates and how much you need to water. Be sure and sign up for the WaterSaver Newsletter.

www.saws.org

Get ready All. I feel STAGE ONE coming quickly....

Remember to Report Water Waste. The more waste the faster we'll go into Stage One, Two, etc. Of course Mother Nature can help out with some rain. We pay BexarMet Water Rates and darn the water bill is higher than our SAWS bill was.

Last edited by wellguy; 03-28-2011 at 10:54 PM..
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:42 AM
 
Location: San Antonio
923 posts, read 1,494,979 times
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I'd be interested in what kind of fertilizer y'all are putting on your yards, especially if you have St Augustine.

In the past I have usually got a truck-load of Alamo Grow from GardenVille, and it's great, but it's a lot of work to spread it.

If anyone knows anything that is easier to spread (granular), let me know.
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Old 03-29-2011, 09:56 AM
 
1,066 posts, read 3,678,993 times
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Lawn Care - Scotts Miracle-Gro


Follow the Scotts schedule and your lawn will look great (if we dont have any major water restrictions this year - which is not looking likely)
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Old 07-26-2011, 04:53 AM
 
Location: Kallison Ranch, San Antonio,TX.
1,671 posts, read 3,823,729 times
Reputation: 726
Can anyone help me on this situation.....

Our home has Bermuda Grass and I mow it approx 1 1/2" and it pretty much stays lush and green. I have noticed several areas in the backyard where there are / were round dead spots (10"-12") with a greengrass in the middle. It can't be from dog pee. Someone said it "might" be a Fungus.
Has anyone had to deal with this and if so what did you do to rid your lawn of it?

THANK YOU
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