Hey guys! We just bought a house in the Austin Metro Area and it seems like the builder had installed new Bermuda sods like 2-3 weeks back. I am totally new to the game and have no idea what to do or where to start. For now, I figured out how to use the sprinkler system.
There are 5 sprinkler stations (3 running 20 mins a day and 2 running 10 mins a day). It is set to run at 3:30AM everyday. That’s all I am doing right about now. Since they are new sods from what I checked on the internet it seems like we just need to keep watering them and not disturb them. Is this true?
Can someone please help me with like a seasonal schedule on what I need to do? I promise to keep this thread active by providing you guys with updates. Thank you!
by Wonderful_Piccolo277
5 Comments
Is it rooted? Test by lightly pulling up a corner in a few random areas. Don’t pull to rip up.
Water it for one….
This would be your best resource for what, when and how https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/
https://thebermudabible.com/
Read and follow. One big caveat after reading, you have new Bermuda sod. No pre emergent for one full growing season. So spring 2026 to be safe. Hand pull weeds for now as well.
Now depending how deep you wanna go with Bermuda lawn care is up to you.
Also just up the road from ya in Jarrell.
Austin area as well, this is NOT the time of year to install sod (probably the worst time!), but for now, just keep the soil slightly moist, not drenched, but definitely don’t let it fully dry out. Thankfully you wont have to drain pathetically low lake Travis too much to keep sod alive when it’s cooler outside. keep it alive long enough till mid/late March as Bermuda won’t start rooting till SOIL temps are routinely in the 70’s. It will go dormant (but not dead) when we get our first real frost (20’s for 4-6 hours), and that’s okay, just keep the soil moist and wait it out till spring (signs of greening up). Lay some fertilizer down when starting to green up again I’d recommend Scott’s starter fertilizer or even better – vigoro Texas blend at HD as it has all a new lawn in central Texas needs plus sulphur (this slowly lowers our high ph) and iron for greening.) applications of fertilizer later in the season in 2025, after roots established, should primarily be nitrogen based (Bermuda is nitrogen hungry when it’s actively growing during warmer months).
Also, don’t water too much as your waste water charge for 2025 is calculated from your average nov-feb water use (they correctly assume you shouldn’t be watering or installing sod this time of year…)
Also, down the road, think about planting a tree or two for that cookie-cut development, and when you do, switch to Zoysia as Bermuda needs full sun whereas Zoysia is more shade tolerant.