re: centipede to bermuda plan... (updated with pics 5/14/24)

Every one is different.

I grew up with St. Aug and that is all I knew until I moved to Florida. I had a centipede lawn and it was hell to keep alive in a yard that was pure sand below 2". I started a transition to St. Aug while I was there but moved before it was complete. So in my own experience, I could never recommend Centipede just because it gave me so much trouble.

Now I live back in Louisiana, have P77 in the backyard and absolutely love it. My first couple of years I fertilized regularly and mowed twice a week which would count most people out just right there (and I don't really blame them). To me it is worth it to give my kids a sticker free backyard that bounces back fast after a waterslide is up all weekend and foot traffic. It also feels incredible walking on it barefoot. Many times when we have guests over we will have a line of shoes on the back porch because people just want to walk around on it.

The past couple of years I backed off on the maintenance due to a loaded schedule. I fertilized maybe once and went down to cutting once a week. The yard still looked great but obviously not as good as the first couple of years. Throughout the drought this past year I only watered 2-3 times and it all looked just fine which was really nice.

This year I won't be as busy and think I can take a more balanced approach. I'd also like to level out my yard a bit so I will want to push the grass a bit to fill in the spots when I bring in sand.