It would be helpful for you to know what is the thickness of the bermuda sod that you want to install. If you know where you are going to purchase the sod from, call them and ask them what is the depth that their sod is cut. It is probably going to be somewhere in the range of one-half inch to one inch. Dig out your area to the same depth as the sod is cut. Use a ruler or tape measure to measure the depth of the area that you dig out. Then the sod you install should fit nicely. If anything, it would be better to have the sod a little lower than the existing area rather than a little higher than the existing area. This will prevent scalping of the new sod. Of course, perfectly level is best. :)

You do not need additional soil when patching a bare spot. Just clean the spot of debris, scratch up the soil, drop some seed, rake the soil a little, tramp it down lightly and then water three times a day until it is established. In larger areas, scalp the lawn, core aerate and overseed, water three times a day until established then begin to cut back on the water. 1. Seed must have soil contact 2. Starter fertilizer. 3 proper irrigation. 4 correct choice of seed. You said that the side of your yard is almost gone ? Where did it go ? I think it went dormant. You say you donÂt want to buy a number of bags of this (Lawn soil) but then you want to top dress. Well OK, Top dressing is about the best thing you can do for your lawn. Top dress with compost at the rate of 1 cubic yard per 1000 sq. ft. You can do that anytime, right now or after you aerate and overseed. Another approach you could take would be to patch the worst of the bare spots this fall and then dormant seed the rest of your lawn after all growth stops this fall. Late November or December would be good. Starter fertilizer is most important in any seeding you do. If you want a really great lawn, introduce as much organic material into your lawns soil. Mulch all your fall leaves, return all grass clippings into your lawn. Spread compost. Consider organic fertilizers. Good luck with your lawn.

From the picture posted I think it is dog urine. Brown patch has a grey like outter ring and the inside of the disease does not look staw color as your picture shows. Brown patch isn't a concern in bermuda either. Spring dead spot is a major disease for bermuda but that's not it, nor dollar spot. As far as when to fertilize, well if it's not above 90 and you can provide good water then for bermuda the time is now. A good fertilizer for bermuda is one with a high first number with 50% slow release. As far as the rest of the information on taking care of your lawn, try searching online. Bermuda is pretty fool proof and is good for people who don't want to fuss over their yard.

My neighbor bought one of the Scotts patch products at Home Depot to replant some bare areas in her lawn a few years ago - it came up very quickly and thick, looked great but instead of established lawn, after a period of time the areas died out again....that wasn't her goal. In reading the product description on the bag of leftover seed trying to determine what went wrong, we came across the 'temporary' - which still doesn't make sense to me, why go to the effort to patch with something that isn't going to last - if it's formulated as quick and temp as for erosion control I wish they would call it just that :) The next step was a trip to a hometown garden center that carries generic seed packaged for this particular area/climate - cool summers and long wet winters. I don't know what type grass does well in your zone, but you may not find it looking at the national brands.