Nicely done sir, nicely done!

Post first watering (2hours total):

Of course with new dirt comes new insects so I turned to my long time friend, I use granule to but I don't want to push the spreader across the awn for a few more waterings:

Never used this Pr-emergent/Weed killer before, but going to give it a try since its 2in1 and again not granule. I'm mainly trying to keep whatever mess may have came in with the sand from popping up:

Just for the sake of reminiscing. I miss my Empire Zoysia from back in 2010-13

I had a much bigger yard, she didn't get the attention she deserved, if only I knew then what I know now (we didn't even have irrigation or fert, but it was justtough turf):

Anyway I'm going to fert this weekend, and I'll keep posting pics as the grass comes in. The goal is to mow at .75" without scalping, but honesty I'd take 1.25" without half moons as a win. Feel free to ask any questions, I'm sure I left a lot out.

My only complaint about the specific course sand I received from GardenVille is there were many rocks I'll have to go back and pick up, but it could've been much worse.

What kind of grass is this lawn?

Tif 419 burmuda

Great choice considering all those sunny areas. It'll grow back in a heartbeat this time if year! Do you have plans to follow up with a fertilizer app or are you looking into available organics? Just curious about your planned next steps.

I just laid celebration sod in my front yard & gave it the first cut. I'll be leveling like you up front probably next spring. I leveled the back a few years ago but it needs a light refresh because I used compost & sand mixed together--The compost has disintegrated, leaving it level but a bit lumpy. To do it again I would level with straight sand then just topdress with compost. Keep us updated!

Thomas, yes, mightyquinn will be inducted into the Gardenweb Hall of Fame. quirkyquercus was another great resource for bermuda lawns. Here's one of his pictures.

QQ used to talk about walking "on his lawn, not in it." He mowed at 5/8".

Thomas you're never going to have great bermuda near those wood fences, especially in the corners. You might start thinking about shade tolerant alternatives.

Gardenville should have screened the rocks out. That's good to know. For some reason they are on the sh-t-list among the long time organic gardeners in town. I don't know what happened. They were #1 for decades.

reeljake, if you're going to topdress with compost, I would do that after the grass returns and you're confident that walking on it will not move the sand around.

Indeed. I'll be referring back to every leveling thread I can find before I start that project next year. My priority for this year is babying the new celebration. Sod solutions has a YouTube channel with the LSU & Florida stadium superintendents who have celebration on their fields. They subject it to epic destruction. With the growth rates I've seen the last 10 days I can see why--I thought my 419 out back grew fast & low, but this stuff...

Jake, I'm going to drop 39-0-0 this weekend. Probably again in July.

Dchall, they definitely lost my business. They seemed too laid back, even for a organic gardening bus. Lol

That should work great to boost it back up above the sand. I find that traditional nitrogen levels on my 419 causes more problems than it solves with excessive top growth & thatch. I've switched to a hybrid organic program using high N synthetics only twice a year & using prepared (bagged) organics monthly. I've seen much less thatch, lower growth habit, deeper greening & a heck of a lot less mowing. Earthworm activity has increased exponentially as well.

Fertilized last weekend. I'm very surprised at how fast the grass is coming in I'll upload pics this weekend. I noticed minimal results from the Bayer Weed Control, well at least in killing weeds; I'll admit not very many new ones have emerged so it may be doing something, just have a few problem areas. The loose sand seems to make it easier for the nasty stuff to spread, but I don't want to yank it out and cause more damage. I went crazy today and bought ,Celsius WG today so I'll apply that this weekend when the surficant comes in.

DC, I know I'll have to find something shade tolerant for those dark areas. I've been researching, but I'm conflicted about what to get since the care requirements vary so much.

Sorry folks, just realized I never followed up with any pics. Everything turned out great and now I can cut with a rotary at .75 with no rings led in the ground. This is a few months back, I'll provide better photos later

@dchall I ended up seeding eltoro zoysia on the side that had so much shade. The color is slightly off but I think it was the best shade tolerant match with a similar cutting height.

next year I'll probably repeat on a smalle scale

Thanks for the update! I instantly remembered this thread when I saw that sideyard pic. I'm glad it worked out for you & if you ever decide to bite the bullet for a reel mower, you'll see even more improvement although in my opinion .75 is plenty short. Did you see any bug activity like you were worried about? Any strange weeds come in with the sand? Has your watering schedule or drainage changed for the better or worse?

Hey sorry for the late reply I was just reminded of this thread because there was activity on the other one that inspired me. Honestly I didn't see any real bug problems because I did treat after leveling. Drainage is so much better, I pretty much kept the same watering schedule but noticed less run off. I think the sand on top gives it extra time to drain down into the soil before rolling off onto the concrete. I need to do another round to even out spots that were left (and created by dogs) but I am very happy with the results. I ended up seeding some Zoysia on that shady side late in the season and it's done well. I'm going to seed some more in a few weeks.