Extreme makeover … my edition!

afphinfan – posted 22 June 2006 20:15

Hi everyone, My wife and I just finished the task of removing 35 trees from our yard; most from the front. The yard was too crowded and we left some of the nicer trees, removing mostly sweetgum and a few that were needed to open things up.

Now we want to create a dry creekbed, and bring in some more dirt to regrade before we sod with centipede. The plan is to have the soil tested first and then determine if anything needs to be added. Also looking putting in a sprinkler system … anything else I should be thinking of? Sod quote was $85/pallete + delivery. Much cheaper than Zoysia or St. Augustine.

Here is the yard before cleanup:http://img70.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=landscapebefore0011qx.jpg

[This message has been edited by afphinfan (edited 22 June 2006).]

Grassguy – posted 22 June 2006 22:35

Personally I dislike Centipede, But not everyone feels that way. Some things to know before you go: Centipede has poor cold tolerance,(not sure where you live) drought tolerance is poorer than bermudagrass due to its relativley shallow root system. shade tolerance is fair and requires minimum maintenance. Mowing and fert requirements are less than any other warm season grass. Centipede like’s low fertility and slightly acidic soil, PH between 5-6. Poor salt tolerance and poor wear tolerance.hope this helps. When you get your soil testes you will want the macro nutrients in the low range, You probobly wont have to do any thing but adjust the PH.

afphinfan – posted 23 June 2006 14:53

Thanks for the reply … I forgot to mention that I live in central Alabama. The yard will definitely be shaded for part of the day so I have been told that Bermuda will not work. Most everyone around here with nice lawns have St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Centipede. If the price wasn’t so much then I would go with Zoysia but it was 30% more $$ and I’m worried that it would take over my neighbors Centipede.