Landscaping overgrown property in Texas

[Stephen Camardo]

Hi - Looking for some advice on the best way (and cost estimate) to de-foliate an overgrown property in East Texas. Grass is overgrown and unrully. Vines and ivy in chain link fence ect. Some stuff on house. I'm from northeast (got this property as an inheritance) wondering what best to do with house in texas - looking for most cost effective systems - ARV is about $65,000 for this single family. Thanks!

[Tim Bishop]

I agree with all that has been said but wanted to lend some clarification on the use of Round up.  Round up is what most people commonly call glycophosphate.  Glycophosphate will completely break down chemically within a few days to a few weeks and will not stay in the soil no matter what type of soil you have... well not as glycophospate anyways.  If you buy a round up branded herbacide that says anything about extended control etc... then you will have only dirt for a very long time.  So if you decide to chemically kill all of your unwanted vegetation, then I would recommend buying offbrand concentrated glycophosphate for use in a pump sprayer and go crazy with it (while following manufacturers mixing instructions) but leave an unsprayed border of about 2 feet around your trees and use it on a calm day without wind or rain.  The feed store advice on plant identification is great, they should also carry glycophospate and when you ask for it they will probably know what you're talking about.  Usually 2 treatments in a two week interval will kill everything except nutsedge and dormant bermuda.  When mixing this don't make a mess, follow the instructions, and add a little dawn dish soap (helps penetrate waxy leaf coatings).

I've personally had ryegrass sprouting with an 80 percent germination rate after 7 days.  This seed was put down 1 day after a heavy glycophosphate treatment on a 3-4 thousand square foot area. 

In your yard I would sod with st. augustine next may.  If you are worried about erosion until may then I would suggest annual ryegrass.  Ask the feed store guys for application rates.  Shade will probably be an issue if you use bermuda, even with a heavy tree trimming which, as has been said already is definitely needed... if you have mostly sunny areas or if you are going to list it quickly then go for bermuda.  You could sod right after clearing the dirt but it's a little risky this time of year and immediately after an herbacide treatment.  If you are just going to list it this winter then don't worry about sod, ryegrass is fine and super cheap.  With an arv of 65k you may not want to spend the money on sod either way.