Alabama grass selection

PIMking

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2013
Threads
1
Messages
14
I have a 22k sqft yard that I decided to kill off last year since the previous owners didn't care of. I put down some tall fescue as a test to see if I can keep it green all year and being on the edge of the transition zone it looked great for a while.

well I have spots that grew well and now have died, about 60% of the grass is still there but if you see where the sun shines on it through the trees that's where it's dead but the weird part is the stuff that is in direct sunlight isn't doing bad at all.

I have decided that I'm going to kill it off and bring in some dirt, well lots of it, and my issue is the grass type to put down. I would like Zoysia since it tends to have a decent shade tolerance and will kill the weeds. A lot of people have centipede grass and I don't like it. I don't want to be just like everyone else. Just to let you know where I am I'm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

any help would be great
 

jimrs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Threads
5
Messages
113
What kina help are you asking for? I'm sorry but I can't drive to Ala. to help put in a new yard.
 

Carscw

Lawn Pro
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Threads
66
Messages
6,375
I have a 22k sqft yard that I decided to kill off last year since the previous owners didn't care of. I put down some tall fescue as a test to see if I can keep it green all year and being on the edge of the transition zone it looked great for a while.

well I have spots that grew well and now have died, about 60% of the grass is still there but if you see where the sun shines on it through the trees that's where it's dead but the weird part is the stuff that is in direct sunlight isn't doing bad at all.

I have decided that I'm going to kill it off and bring in some dirt, well lots of it, and my issue is the grass type to put down. I would like Zoysia since it tends to have a decent shade tolerance and will kill the weeds. A lot of people have centipede grass and I don't like it. I don't want to be just like everyone else. Just to let you know where I am I'm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

any help would be great

Go with Bermuda and over seed with rye for the winter. And make sure the soil you get has sand in it

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
 

PIMking

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2013
Threads
1
Messages
14
Go with Bermuda and over seed with rye for the winter. And make sure the soil you get has sand in it

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Do you think Zoysia would do well? I have some shaded area that will be interesting to keep grass growing..

Here are a few older pictures of the yard from last summer








This is all dead now










Was nice and thick and well not so much anymore





 

PIMking

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2013
Threads
1
Messages
14
I will take some more photos here in the next day or two to give you an update.

We got a ton of rain all of a sudden a month and a half or so ago and that's when I started to see the problems.
 

possum

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2011
Threads
7
Messages
856
Bermuda is out in that area. I have never seen Zoysia myself so have no thoughts on it. Any grass in that area is going to have a hard time. Those sapling sized trees need to go or the bigger ones so the smaller ones can do something. The whole area needs to be kept cleaner and from the looks of it that's going to be tough. All the branches from head high down need to go. Either clean it out pretty good of trees and limbs or just let it go and grow up more. Either one can be made to look nice but inbetween just is not going to cut it.
 

Carscw

Lawn Pro
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Threads
66
Messages
6,375
I still say go with the Bermuda. Bermuda is really not a grass it is a weed that grows on a vine. It loves sand and full sun but will do good in part shade. If you kill Bermuda you really tried to kill it.

Here is a test you can do get one slab of Sod put it on your driveway and water it once a day for a month I bet it doubles in size and roots to the asphalt or Concret

(( cowboy up and get over it ))
 

Carscw

Lawn Pro
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Threads
66
Messages
6,375
Zoysia grass comes in five types and none like the shade. Some say I have zoysia grass in the shade but what they have is called crab grass.
Easy way to tell if a yard has zoysia is there will be no weeds.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))
 

PIMking

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2013
Threads
1
Messages
14
Zoysia grass comes in five types and none like the shade. Some say I have zoysia grass in the shade but what they have is called crab grass.
Easy way to tell if a yard has zoysia is there will be no weeds.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

my neighbor has zoysia but it was sodded first, I kept an eye on it and it's coming in real good. He has just as much shade as I do too. A lot of people grow Centipede but I'm not too fond about it.
 

Carscw

Lawn Pro
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Threads
66
Messages
6,375
my neighbor has zoysia but it was sodded first, I kept an eye on it and it's coming in real good. He has just as much shade as I do too. A lot of people grow Centipede but I'm not too fond about it.

I don't care to much for centipede has a funny color to it.

Ask the guy next door what type zoysia he has. If kept cut every few days its like waking on a nice carpet.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))
 
Top