Lawn renovation and Bermuda establishment

[lowcountryboy]

I recently stumbled across this forum while searching for Bermuda grass knowledge and expertise. Looked to be an overwhelming number of seasoned home lawncare specialists and topics to learn from. I hope to soak up tips and recommendations to help make this transition a bit more smooth.

Little background, we have been at our current property for almost 2 years and have been enjoying every bit of our first home. However, the previous owner was using it as a rental property and the yard suffered as such. Living on the coast in Charleston SC has put a toll on the underwatered lawn... Now that we have an irrigation well in place and can afford to water regularly I am taking this summer to establish a new lawn.

In the coming weeks we have enlisted a local grading company to remove the ugly mulberry tree from our 1800 sqft main yard and regrade the area away from the house (currently drains toward the home). Once complete it'll be ready for soil tests and first steps!

My plan is to seed Bermuda and enlist as much member support to get this done! I will also be posting pictures/updates throughout the process to help others in their own endeavors!

[tellycoleman]

What type of bermuda do you want?
Have you considered Seashore Paspalum?
. I am doing the same thing you are planning on doing im a couple months ahead of you.
I am a newbie but this is what I have learned.
Are you going to have your current grass weeds killed or removed first? Dont let them put soil on top of green grass/weeds Dont let them till your existing green grass into the soil. Dont till it at all. Kill it yourself.
Dont use roundup with a preemergent.
Keep reading everything you can. I have been. and I am still learning alot

[lowcountryboy]

tellycoleman, thanks for the response and input!

Initially I was leaning towards ordering online and using La Prima or Princess for the seeding. But last week I visited a local shop and they suggested Panam variety seed they had in stock. Anybody know about that seed or recommend something specific for my area?

Haven't looked into the Seashore Paspalum... Is this for close contact to salt water? Not being clear before, I don't live on the water, but live on a barrier island roughly a half mile from the nearest salt marsh. I also will be discussing with local Clemson extension office rep for input.

Thanks for the info on prepping the space prior to soil/grading. I plan to spray the lawn today with killer. They will be grading hopefully within the next 2 weeks. Then I will watch the dirt while the soil test is being processed (probably about couple weeks of waiting).

[tellycoleman]

Not to sure about how cold it gets where you live. However before you buy seed look at the cold tolerance of the particular seed you are getting. I live in the Nashville area and that is what led me to choose Yukon Bermuda. Not to sure about the Panam/panama variety. I will let other people chime in about that. But in my opinion i would get something a little more cold tolerant. I ordered online and had great fast survice. I would not start Seashore Paspalum from seed , germanation takes a long time.
Just Do alot of research

[lowcountryboy]

Thanks again tellycoleman!

As far as the cold tolerance, it rarely gets below freezing during the winter here in Charleston, especially by the coast. Maybe a couple days each winter where the lows creep below 30, but that's it.

Just got confirmation that the tree removal and grading will be done tomorrow... Little earlier than I anticipated as I have only applied the grass/weed killer on Monday/Tuesday. I'll post a pic this evening of the pre grading to compare before/after. Soil test sample to come this weekend!

On another note, I just got my new well up and running yesterday with initial flow clocking in at 15 GPM. That's been a project in itself throughout the winter