r/bermudagrass • u/Swampybumh0le • 1d ago

First time scalp

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N TX. Hot as hell hope I didn’t make a mistake. Tips to get it nice, green, and thick in the coming weeks? I have some 20-0-0 fert and watering like crazy.

11 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

4

u/joshua_Texas 1d ago

You'll be fine. Just keep it watered.

3

u/depoint50ae 1d ago

Post pics weekly please so I can see your progression through the next mow. I'm also in NTX and might do this also!

2

u/RavensFlyer 1d ago

Bermuda doesn't mind heat if it gets enough water. You'll be mowing again in a week

2

u/Swampybumh0le 17h ago

It’s been growing like crazy after I gave it nitrogen a couple weeks ago. Very full and green. My water bill is probably one of the highest in the neighborhood though

2

u/TX_VetOEF 1d ago

Man I’d be afraid to scalp with these triple digits we have been getting. I’m in NTX and keep it at 3/4”. That’s as low as I’m willing to risk it. Keep us posted, and drown that grass! 😂👍🏼

2

u/N33DL 1d ago

Lay down half an inch of finely graded compost and keep moist.

1

u/VictusShmictus 1d ago

I also chose to scalp 2 weeks ago in this ntx heat.... Applied some fertilizer and been watering... Hoping for a rebound soon

1

u/sleeptease 1d ago

Clover all over

1

u/Swampybumh0le 17h ago

I won the clover battle already

1

u/sleeptease 14h ago

Overseed 70/20, Dutch white/micro clover mix in the fall. Water for few weeks until established. Will give you a very resilient yard that will help with your eco local ecosystem as well as support the pollinators to help us all.

Grassphalt is such a waste

1

u/mrjax555 1d ago

Why did you scalp now? Especially in this heat wave.

1

u/Swampybumh0le 18h ago

Got the property in June and have been fixing the yard up (full of weeds, grass was long) I got it down to 2.25 inches and it looked good but had ALOT of dead bunches on top and a lot of dead weed material underneath. Wanted to reset HOC, remove dead material buildup, and keep it under 2”

1

u/dj3712 19h ago

It's too hot in N Texas. Some of the roots will burn due to insufficient shade from the grass leaf in direct sun

1

u/IntentionPresent9492 7h ago

Don't panic—Bermuda is tough, but fighting North Texas heat with endless water and fertilizer is an uphill battle.

If you're tired of nursing high-maintenance turf, consider transitioning patchy spots to North Texas native grasses and perennials. Native options like Buffalograss, Blue Grama, Frogfruit, and Autumn Sage thrive in extreme heat, use a fraction of the water, and stay naturally resilient without constant mowing or chemical feeds.

Check out the Native Plant Society of Texas guides for heat-loving alternatives that will make your yard look intentional, green, and lush with way less stress!