Where in the world are you?

The simplest, and easiest, means of control of the unwanted plant growth you have is a broad leaf weed killer, but if you do not want to use those (toxic chemicals) digging in with good reliable soil tests is the place to start.

What is the pH of the soil?

How much organic matter is in the soil?

How well does that soil drain?

How well does that soil retain moisture?

What kind of life is in that soil?

What does the soil smell like?

Getting the soil into a good healthy condition before replanting or sodding will help the new grass grow in thicker which will help with unwanted plant control.

kimmq is kimmsr

Hi. Thanks for responding! I'm in miami. Fl

im not sure how to answer your questions. This is a small area of grass about 20 by 5 that sits between my sidewalk and the street. Concrete on all sides. How do I test the soil?

The cable company did have to replant about 6 squares of new sod after digging some holes. that grass is growing very well and without weeds (yet!)

You could suppress a lot of that competing growth with diligent mowing.

Your University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service people can help you with soil tests for soil pH and nutrient levels and they currently charge $7.00 per sample to do that, according to their web site.

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/agriculture/soil_testing.shtml

You may also want to consider these simple soil tests.

1) Soil test for organic
material. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in
a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and
replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24
hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight.
For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the
bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above
that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

2) Drainage. Dig a hole
1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains
away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain
away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains’ too quickly and needs
more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the
soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

3) Tilth. Take a handful
of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is
released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a
finger that clump should fall apart.

4) Smell. What does your
soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant
odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria
will be and the nicer your soil will smell, to a point. Too much organic matter
can be bad as well.

5) Life. How many
earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5,
according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that
is not healthy.

kimmq is kimmsr

If it's a mowed area, what difference does it make which plants are there?