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centipede to bermuda plan... (updated with pic 8/11/24)

Posted on 2/14/24 at 11:21 am
Posted by LSUTIGERTAILG8ER
Chance of Rain....NEVER!!
Member since Nov 2007
1818 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 11:21 am
Heres my plan and coach/advise me...

centipede lawn is 20 years old and last year made up my decision to switch

estimating 12-15,000 sq ft

I ordered 25lbs of common bermuda seed coated and unhulled from Hancock seed.

not adding any pre emergent

watching soil temps to reach 65 deg

scalping yard as low as I can get it

aerating, but not too deep?

spreading seed with broadcast spreader

spreading starter fertilizer (what type?)

water daily for about 2 weeks

mow in about 3 weeks?

re fertilze ?

mow low and wait for the bermuda to take over the centipede and existing weeds.

what am I missing, what should I expect, etc. thanks



This post was edited on 8/12/24 at 8:55 am
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
19871 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 11:47 am to
Following.
How about some before and after pics too?
Posted by Tifway419
Member since Sep 2022
1039 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 12:54 pm to
You picked the right grass type to move away from and towards and amount of seed per sq footage.

Also correct on no pre emergent and scalp. Don’t forget to bag the clippings.

As far as timing, I think germination temp for Bermuda is around 70. The only concern about dropping seed too early would be birds, but it’s negligible.

The “starter” fert would be anything high in Nitrogen and Phosphorus (the first 2 numbers). After it’s established, lay off Phosphorus as it tends to create a lot of thatch.

After applying, rolling to create good seed to soil contact is preferred. And water twice per day for the first week. Don’t drench, just enough to keep the soil moist at all times.

Expect bare patches and weeds throughout, but nothing that can’t be overcome in 1 growing season. Enjoy watching it grow!
Posted by poochie
Houma, la
Member since Apr 2007
6624 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 1:01 pm to
Maybe
Someone
May
Answer
what the best thing would be to kill all the centipede and everything else and not touch the Bermuda.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
12838 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 1:13 pm to
I overseeded my st aug/centipede lawn with Highlander bermuda from Hancock and plugged a few areas with Celebration bermuda from my dad's yard in 2021. My yard is about half bermuda now. I'm putting down another 5 lbs of Highlander in a couple of weeks.

My dad put down centipede sod in 2017 and there were a few spots of Celebration bermuda mixed in from the sod farm's screw up. He fought it for a couple of years but then gave up and his whole yard is bermuda now except for a couple shadier spots. It takes over really quick.
Posted by Delacroix
Member since Oct 2008
4005 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 1:21 pm to
I'm doing the exact same thing this year. The only difference with my strategy is that I am planning on adding a layer of compost after aerating to help with the new seeds bc I have crappy soil
Posted by ronk
Member since Jan 2015
6530 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 1:34 pm to
To be honest you can just round up that shite now and rake it all off. It won't have any effect in a couple weeks when you are ready to lay down bermuda.
Posted by LSUTIGERTAILG8ER
Chance of Rain....NEVER!!
Member since Nov 2007
1818 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 1:52 pm to
quote:


centipede to bermuda plan...
To be honest you can just round up that shite now and rake it all off. It won't have any effect in a couple weeks when you are ready to lay down bermuda.


thought about it, but probably wont to avoid the mess and the mud, etc. I dont mind the wait, just ready for some bermuda to choke out the centipede.
Posted by Tifway419
Member since Sep 2022
1039 posts
Posted on 2/14/24 at 2:13 pm to
Ronk I thought about that, but would it really be effective now if the majority is still dormant?
Posted by ronk
Member since Jan 2015
6530 posts
Posted on 2/15/24 at 7:40 am to
It would still kill the centipede. It would be difficult to tell if another round was needed though.
Posted by ronk
Member since Jan 2015
6530 posts
Posted on 2/15/24 at 7:40 am to
It would still kill the centipede. It would be difficult to tell if another round was needed though.
Posted by CatfishJohn
Member since Jun 2020
15245 posts
Posted on 2/16/24 at 11:20 am to
My experience with Bermuda tells me your plan is great.

When I did it, I scalped and bagged, aerated, seeded, lightly watered every day for a couple weeks, and just quit worrying about it. I didn't even fertilize (your yard may be deficient in some things though).

Then just let the Bermuda take the wheel and don't let it get too tall, that's your real job once it germinates
Posted by poochie
Houma, la
Member since Apr 2007
6624 posts
Posted on 2/16/24 at 11:41 am to
Question thats similar to this whole process...

A friend built last year and has a halfway decent stand of natural bermuda coming up along with the usual suspects of weeds and especially clover right now. I know how to guide him to promote the bermuda growth and get rid of the weeds but he also needs some dirt work done to fill in some low spots and ensure proper overall drainage and general levelness (imagine a typical yard left after the contractor leaves). It's too much for general sand top dressing.

So for spots that need dirt added, how would he handle that? Scalp and add dirt on top? Kill everything and scalp? He'll be overseeding with more common bermuda once it's dressed like he wants.

Just looking for some guidance there, he wants to do it once and be done and get on a herbicide and fertilizer plan.
Posted by CatfishJohn
Member since Jun 2020
15245 posts
Posted on 2/16/24 at 12:22 pm to
He can round up the spots that are being covered in dirt a couple weeks before laying dirt down.
Posted by shoelessjoe
Member since Jul 2006
10501 posts
Posted on 2/17/24 at 4:09 pm to
Scalp, fertilize then add dirt
Posted by LSUfosho
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2007
202 posts
Posted on 2/17/24 at 9:51 pm to
Only thing, I would not put common bermuda. I've seeded blackjack and maya. These have finer blades. Another thing, once it's established hut it with some quinclorac and it will kill off the centipede and not touch the bermuda
Posted by Meauxjeaux
98836 posts including my alters
Member since Jun 2005
41822 posts
Posted on 2/18/24 at 8:53 am to
Bookmarked this thread.

Need to kill my entire yard and start over.
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
19871 posts
Posted on 2/18/24 at 3:04 pm to
quote:

has a halfway decent stand of natural bermuda coming up along with the usual suspects of weeds and especially clover right now. I know how to guide him to promote the bermuda growth and get rid of the weeds but he also needs some dirt work done to fill in some low spots and ensure proper overall drainage and general levelness (imagine a typical yard left after the contractor leaves). It's too much for general sand top dressing.


You’ve described my backyard as of last summer.

My advice is to mow and fertilize like crazy from April through June.
In early July add some really finely strained dirt or play sand for leveling.

Enjoy watching that common Bermuda take over the sandy spots by October.

I added several yards of river silt (do not recommend) in September and still had a lot of coverage made in just six weeks.

Edit: I would wait until June or July to get the thickest and healthiest stand of grass possible for adding dirt in the low spots and top dressing the rest of the lawn.

If he goes with hybrid Bermuda sod just nuke the whole thing now, add the dirt, get it perfect, lay the sod.

Obviously the second option will be more expensive. For me, it wasn’t worth it and it’s not as much fun. I like the challenge

Here’s what I’m talking about:




And keep in mind I wasn’t even pushing growth with nitrogen here since it was fall, and the sun angle was already dropping behind those trees.

This post was edited on 2/18/24 at 3:24 pm
Posted by bayoubengals88
LA
Member since Sep 2007
19871 posts
Posted on 2/18/24 at 8:09 pm to
quote:

let the Bermuda take the wheel and don't let it get too tall, that's your real job once it germinates


This might be of interest for several in this thread:
Maybe next season I’ll start trying PGR. Promotes horizontal growth and actually reduces the frequency that you have to mow.
Gives you that thick mat of grass like a nice fairway would have.
Posted by CarRamrod
Spurbury, VT
Member since Dec 2006
57723 posts
Posted on 2/18/24 at 9:11 pm to
I have always been on the hate train of Bermuda. It's a weed......


But I have torpedo.........so I'm considering going to Bermuda just to use the only thing that kills it without killing the grass.
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