How to kill grass for new sod?

[Turtlewax]

Whats the best way to kill all the grass in my yard so can prep it for new sod? I have neighbors on both sides in the front so i need to make sure i dont harm theirs. Anyone ever do this before?

I was advised to kill it off prior to grading and adding new soils......

[mikemorvan]

I don't know the temps in Austin this time of year, but you may be too late for this year. Typically the weather needs to be pretty warm for weed killers to work.

That being said, this time of year i'd just lay the sod and deal with the weeds in the spring and summer. Weeds are pretty easy to deal with. Spray Weed-B-Gone quarterly and you're good. Assuming you're using some type of Bermuda grass. St. Augustine is whole 'nother ballgame.

[RMW]

What type of grass are you trying to kill?

[Buckshot-73]

Available at Tractor Supply
Will kill anything... Even grapevine. I use it on my fenceline.

[TxAg]

I just did this. I had st augustine on one half (shady side) and bermuda on the other. I wanted to kill the bermuda and lay down st augustine.

I used weed killer a few times and mowed on the lowest setting. Then i took the weedeater to it. I also raked up the debri. I did this about 3 times during the month of august. There were a few runners and some dead stuff I couldn't get up but it was mostly dirt when I laid sod in early September.

I watered by hand every day for 3 weeks and then every other day for 2 weeks. Then we started getting some rain.

My yard looks great now.

[TxAg]

You could also lay a dark tarp over it and stake it down. It'll take a couple weeks, but it will die.