Bella Vista

I've been researching sod for over a year now. I clicked on a Google ad link on the side and was able to find a company in the Riverview area just south of us that might be able to help me out. Most of us have terrible lawns now due to the weather and the bugs. Ours is a mess and I hope to get it in shape for this summer soon.

http://www.councilgrowers.com/

I talked to Mr. Travis Council yesterday and he gave me his time and explained about his Empire variety grass. He said it is what is sold at Lowe's and Home Depot. I didn't know this. After discussing with him the problems and concerns I have with the Argentine grass that we have here he understood what we have been going through. He explained the different grasses, some I never heard of, but what caught my attention was that his grass is from a variety in South America, not North America. So, it is much more hardier and works for our area and doesn't die out like I've heard people say about the Zoysia variety grasses like his. His top recommend grass is a Zoysia-Argentine variety that is chinch bug problem free and takes less waterings. I liked what I was hearing.

It can be gown short or high, doesn't matter. He agreed with me about keeping a sharp mower blade. I sharpen mine by hand with a file at least every other mowing.

Spot treating for weeds with a 2-4-d chemical bought at Home Depot or Lowes will keep the weeds in check.

He said he is going to give me name and number to a Lisa with Sunbelt Growers, I think that was her name, it escapes me now. But, the do the rip out and install of sod and he recommend them. I will get a quote and report back here with same.

I hope I can affored this new sod, it has to be done sooner or later, but sooner preferably as I have to show by example here in Bella Vista being your president of course.

My neighbor, Danny, prepared and had Zoysia sod laid last week in his front yard. He did it just in time too as a good soaking rain came the next day. It looks good so far. It looks a lot different from our Argentine Bahia we have. It's a low lying short bladed grass. I'm anxious to see how it does with the summer heat and lack of rain. Not to mention the weeds. It's supposed to be drought tolerant. Good going, Danny.

Paul thanks for doing the research, however to maintain a beautiful lawn no matter what type, a home owner is going to have to put in alot of time ie on your hands and knees pulling weeds as you can only apply so much weed killer. I just don't see alot of home owners within our community doing such. You can not pay someone to pull weeds. Lawn services are in and out (mow and edge). Hence, for most the lawn will look good for approx 1-2months while fresh then back to ugly.

I found that out myself this past season. After the winter season the weeds sprang up like crazy. So, every day when I take the dogs out I have been stooping down and pulling up handfuls of the stuff. I got rid of all the large spindly weeds but the lower spreading ones are too much.

It does take almost a full time person to keep the yards weeded I feel. I sure won't criticize anyone that has weeds though. We're in Florida and lawns are a full time job and if most people don't have the time to deal with their lawns, oh well. At least keep them mowed and looking green. Not all of us have the time to do everything that we need to do.