Question
I bought a home with 10 horses on it 3 years ago. We didn't even have a weed. We drug the property and put pre emergent on it in the spring for sandspurs and planted grass seeds with hay on them. Water as required and we still have nothing but weeds and sand spurs. We want to put sod on the lawn but how do I get it ready for sod? I am so sick of the sand spurs I can't even go in my yard anyplace without hundreds of them sticking to my shoes and clothes. Please help me!!!! thanks, Elsie

Answer
First, mow the lawn as close as the lawn mower will allow. Apply a non selective weed killer; it will kill everything green. Just make sure that it does not have a long residual effect in the soil as this might prevent the sod from rooting in. Allow 7 to 10 days for the material to get well into the existing roots and then sod the area. Make sure that the sod pieces are 'jammed in' closely on all sides. For the first month or so pay close attention to the seams of the sod pieces and destroy anything that emerges. These would be weeds from below the sod trying to get to light. Here is a site that may be helpful.

  http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Sandspur.htm