I used the edgeguard for a while too. It's terrible trying to figure out what to set it at. Calibrating it (there are several sources for the method) to what you need is going to give you the most accurate result. You can however, figure out how many pounds of fertilizer should be put down over the area and measure that out and just put that down. It's not quite as accurate though. Just be careful not to put too much down.

Here's a quick and easy way to calculate your fertilizer amount. There's many of these sites available, but since I'm from Houston and half my family are Aggies, I figure the Texas A&M site is the best :-)

http://aggie-turf.tamu.edu/aggieturf2/calculators/fertsheet.html

Just measure out a few 1000/ft2 patches. Fill the dispenser with 3 pound of 32-0-0 then pick a medium setting and see how many passes it takes to go through the first 1000/ft2. Adjust and repeat on second plot. By the 3rd you should have it nailed.

The objective IMO is that it should take 2 passes over a given area. But 1 pass is OK too.

Thanks guys, I tried your method TW and after adjusting a couple of times it seems to be going smoothly.

On the other point with the 3 month period I have working with on the rest of my 2 acres anyone have a gameplan on what i should be doing?

thanx again

On the other point with the 3 month period I have working with on the rest of my 2 acres anyone have a gameplan on what i should be doing?

How much work are you willing to do? If you are going to sow Bermuda seed you need to take immediate action as the window of opportunity is about to close depending on your location.

I am uncertain how to advise you because 2 acres IMHO is just too much with such little time and the expense involved. Couple of questions back at you before I stick my neck out.

Is there any type of Bermuda in this 2 acres already to work with? Does it need to be above average in appearance?

Im in East Texas and yes there is some common bermuda in the yard in patches..I would say prob 15%. I put out some 13-13-13 product in some areas about 1 month ago mixed with bermuda seed and it seems to be doing just ok. This was before becoming acquainted with some of the strategies Ive seen here.

For the wedding I am only planning on sowing bermuda on the side the ceremony will be on which is close to 3/4 acre so the rest is not important this year just the 3/4 acre.

As far as how much work Im willing to do. Pretty much whatever it takes seeing that I want to over the next couple of years transform my small patch of land into full bermuda lawn, wedding or not. Work is fine just not massive cost.

It doesnt have to be above average just because from starting point im at I don't think its possible. Honestly just want it as green and full as i can hope for in a short 3 months.

Much appreciated TW

I would fertilize with the one you picked. Some oddball grasses may die from the strong dose in the summer heat, but the bermuda will love it and hopefully fill in for you.

OK you have acreage. Do you have access to a tractor and box blade.

It all comes down to how much work you want to do and results. If the area has some common Bermuda in it, and you are not looking for high quality, just start maintaining like you would Bermuda grass. Mow it down short. remove the debris, sow some inexpensive Bermuda seed down if you want, then fertilize, mow, and water like a regular Bermuda lawn. Keeping it short will weed out a lot of the weeds and grasses you do not want and allow the Bermuda to take off. It will not look like a sod lawn, but in time it will be OK/

Or if you have access to a tractor and box blade.....

I do have access to a tractor and box blade. I actually am looking for as high quality as I can. Would love to run over it with a blade and fill in low spots and such. Was just worried 3 months is not going to be long enough time for it...Am i wrong? Which is highly likely.

My long term goal is to have the nicest lawn I can while not having to sod for obvious cost reasons. Maybe princess 77 or something of the sort.

Well I hesitate about suggesting using a box blade and seeding for 1 reason and it is a huge hurtle; WATER and lots of it.

Grading the area with a box blade is the best seed prep you can do. But to keep a 1 or 2 acre seed bed watered and moist is a huge under taking without some sort of irrigation system. There is no way I know of you could do it with a water hose unless it is a fire hydrant, pump, and 4 inch line.

With that said there is enough time especially if you live in East TX as you rfirst frost is not until T-Day or later. I just do not know how to get around the water challenge for a seed bed.