Question
I am purchasing a new house. The building only bladed off the ground which left a hard top layer of soft rock and a little dirt. They did not water the sod immediately and in the Texas heat it turned brown in a few days. The builder said that Bermuda grass had to die first and then water and come back. Well, we had rain for about three days and now some of it is greening out, but now after two days of no rain, it is now turning brown again. Is there any hope for this sod to survive.  Should they have not brought in a good layer of compost so that the roots could penetrate instead of just running along the top of this hard surface?

Answer
Mr. Polansky:

I believe that you are correct about the layer of topsoil and/or compost.  That would have been ideal.

If the grass comes back after rain, then there is hope for it.  A layer of compost can be applied this fall.  It will help to create topsoil over time and offer some protection for the sod.

Further, you can apply soil or sand lightly over the sod and it will grow "up" into it.  This will eventually create a topsoil layer.  This is much like golf course topdressing of greens and tees.

However, laying sod over a layer of rock does not bode well for future summer survival or appearance.  If you still have any sway with the builder, you may get the compost installed.  Just be sure it is a high quality material from a professional landscape supplier.

Some builders are good.  Some are not.

Best wishes.