Question
We just moved into our home on the island of Oahu and was disappointed with the lawn I inherited.  There was a patch of some Emerald Zoysia grass but it looked like the grassy weeds that surrounded it were overtaking it.  I've decided to start over so I used some roundup to kill all that was green in my yard, and then tilled it up a week later.  
Currently I'm trying to decide what is the best next step to take.  I'm planning on watering for a week then adding some compost then tilling again, following by grading and then I'll install an irrigation system before laying the plugs.  Are there some other steps I should take to properly prep my soil for either El Toro or Z3 plugs?  The soil is the standard red clay that抯 found all over the island with good drainage.  The yard has 85% sun.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated Oh Wise one.

Thanks,

Joe


Answer
Hi Joe;
Tilling in some compost is a good idea, and if you can get some lava sand, till that in.
I would think the soil there is full of lava sand.
You don't need to water it for a week, just till in the stuff, and put in the plugs.
I personally would not have a sprinkler system if they paid me to take it.
Tey are too difficult to deal with.
You can't add soil if you want to build up an area, unless you take up the sprinkler system and reinstall it, and you have to plant your landscaping around the lines.
I like to use soaker hoses.
Sprinklers spraying in the air waste too much water through evaporation.
When the temp hits over 95, 50% or more can be lost to evaporation.
I turn on my soaker hoses, and let them run until the water starts to run off onto the sidewalk, then turn it off and let it soak in for about an hour, and then turn them on again. I do that until the ground is wet for a depth of at least 6 inches.
Deep watering promotes a deep root system, and that helps protect against heat, cold and drought damage. Not that you have to worry about the cold.LOL
I have been on an organic program for the last 8 years, and that takes care of the weeds
I use sugar in the spring and fall, instead of a chemical fertilizer. Fertilizers kill the beneficial microbes that work round the clock enriching the soii.
Weeds like poor soil, and will not thrive in rich soil.
If they come up, they start to die out right away. When they soil is very rich, if they come up at all, they will not get big enough for you to see them.
Organics don't work if you use any chemicals, so you have to go organics opr chemicals.
with organics, the little critters, toads, lizards etc, that are attracted to your healthy enviornment, will eat all the insects that annoy you.
My lizards eat all the aphids from my roses, and my roses open into beautiful, undamaged blooms.
I wouldn't go back to the expense and all the work of chemicals for anything.
My lawn is lush and gorgeous, and it takes very little work to keep it that way.
If you want more info on organics, just write me. I am very happy to share what I have earned.
Charlotte