Also, it turns out that the people here before put down weed barrier and a zillions tons of random landscaping rocks at one point..that the dirt and grass/weeds/etc are on top of. If you dig down you get 2 inches of rocks, then the landscape fabric, plus the maple roots. Husband suggested tilling everything but 1. would the rocks break the tiller 2. that might kill the maple I'd think, by tearing up so much of its root system.

So, it won't let me edit my posts, so sorry for adding everything in comments. Here are some photos...it looks like currently the most successful plant in my yard is the sandspur :( Plus some different kinds of grass and all sorts of weeds. Obviously it needs water, so either hand watering or using a sprinkler on the end of a hose for now, and fixing the irrigation system. Beyond that, what's best?

Reading more, it seems the best answer for success is to reseed with bahia. It hasn't been reseeded in 10 years at least...which I guess explains why it looks like it does. Had no idea you had to reseed it!

This is a photo of the whole lawn taken around 2pm....the tree doesn't shade much of the lawn, so I don't think shade will be a huge issue? There is another strip on the other side of the driveway but it doesn't get any shade at all. As for mowing Bermuda, what happens if you mow with a rotary mower? Just not quite as even, or will kill the grass, or? We'd be using Princess 77 I imagine, it seems to be one only one that comes from seed that grows well here. Otherwise reseeding with Argentine Bahia, or plugs of whatever St. Augustine is locally available. Or plugs of bermuda, although I haven't seen those locally?

Isn't Bahia one of the most drought tolerant grasses?

Also letting those Bahia, etc. seed heads mature before mowing is helpful, since you'll be spreading free seed that way.

Using a mulching mower, or even a regular one and letting the clippings stay where they fall will help enrich the soil over time. And not cutting too short helps as well.

In the fall/early winter, spreading winter rye seed (which is very inexpensive) will give you a pretty green lawn during what is usually the dormant season for grasses, and improve your soil when it dies back around this time of year.

Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep236

That's common bermuda - I consider it a weed. A most despicable one. Darn near impossible to kill permanently. But I am in VA, so down there that might be your best hope.

Here are some choices.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-lawn-grass.htm

Yes Bahia and Bermuda are both touted as drought resistant.

Impossible to kill sounds good, lol

The above picture of bermuda is not common.......the leaves are way to close together on the stolon - to be common. Princess bermuda is more shade tolerant than some of the others , and you can mow at 1 1/2 " with a rotary . Looks better with the reel cut, but a lot of people mow bermuda with a rotary - and it still looks decent.

The grass with the tall seed heads is Bahia. It's very drought resistant, but sparse and yeah, it has those seed heads. Bermuda doesn't like full sun and requires waaaay too much water to thrive.

You don't need to remove the stone to plant grass. Grass grows up through sidewalk cracks, so the rocks will actually help with drainage, and the landscape material will eventually break down.

It's not the right time of year to plant Bahia seed, and you're better off laying turf, because the birds usually eat all the seed if you don't cover it. You'll have to water it every day for seven days and then frequently until it's established. Since there is no sprinkler system, it will have to be done by hand. This is not a good time to plant it because it's getting hot, and it may not take if not watered a lot.

I know you may be used to having a perfect lawn wherever you are from, but this is Florida. The rule of lawns is "if it's green, mow it." You'll drive yourself crazy trying to have a perfect lawn, and spend buckets of money you could spend better elsewhere. Maybe you could do what some people do and build beds with mulch walkways in most of your front yard, leaving just a bit of grass around the edges.

IMHO, If you want something pretty and easy-care, plant Sunshine Mimosa or Perennial Peanut, or better yet a combination of both. It's really beautiful planted together. The best way to plant it is to plant, put pots over the plants, then cover the ground with 2-3 inches of wood mulch. Remove the pots and let it spread over the mulch, which will break down and feed it. Neither of these plants need a lot of fertilizer or care. I don't think it's out in the stores yet, but it's something to think about.

Unless you live in a deed restricted community, then ignore what I just said and go by their rules.

"Bermuda doesn't like full sun and requires waaaay too much water to thrive."

Completely different than here (VA). Bermuda LOVES full sun, and will grow in the dryest parts of the lawn - where nothing else will.

And that picture above looks EXACTLY like the few pieces of common bermuda in my yard.

Chessie - There are sun-tolerant Bermudas, but it's still a very thirsty grass, due to our sand not holding water. I had Bitter Blue (a very shade-tolerant bermuda) growing under my oaks, where it thrived, but once it hit the sun, it shriveled up because I didn't irrigate my yard. I'm from SC, where zoysia grows like a weed, but it doesn't do well here. Centipede was amazing there! Just toss some sprigs on the ground, step on them to make contact with the soil, and in a year, you had a beautiful lawn. Here, it only grows in the northernmost parts of the state.

I thought bitter. Blue was st. Augustine? Maybe you meant st Augustine?

And I’m a Florida native, so I’m content with anything green other than sandspurs.

Yes Bitter Blue is St. Augustine. If you are a native you know the deal, there's no cheap or easy way to go. As stated before, Bahia doesn't like the shade at all, I know because the lawn next to the woods here is almost gone - (we have Bahia.) I stopped being particular about a perfect lawn years ago, especially since when you mow it and it's green no-one can tell that you have weeds and 3 different kinds of grass. Life is too short and that's why we live in the country and not in a deed restricted place. I still think a landscaped area around the shade tree with pretty flowers and bushes is the best thing, then the rest in whatever grass you think you can afford to plant and maintain.

There is a rope swing in the tree for the kids so flowers there would be quickly trampled:)

So when is the right time to plant Bahia? Rainy season?

The temps should be consistently in the 80's, of course that's when the rain comes and washes the seeds away - LOL! If the temps get up in the 80's I'd try to do it before the rainy season hits heavy. Of course some rain is good but not the heavy Summer deluges that we start getting in June. I've done this before and it's a pain when you don't have a sprinkler system.

So, I found a patch of more mature bermuda that I had mowed with the rotary mower and it does in fact look like crap. In fact, after walking on and checking out the various grass in my yard (even found some patches of St. Augustine, I seem to have all three) I prefer the bahia over the bermuda given how I will treat it.

highs have been 80-84 lately, so soon I would think? Just checked....this weekend it will be cooler, a high of 72 on Saturday, but by monday up to mid 80s and nothing below that for the next 10 days.

Bermuda grass can be an awful pest for me as well. It's very deep rooted and wiry and gets into beds. You have to dig out all the underground runners to eradicate it

Katie, Bitter Blue is St. Augustine. Don't know why I put that, but I can't edit now.

From UF:

"The best time to seed warm-season grass in most parts of Florida is between April and July, permitting a full growing season before cold weather."

Planting Your Florida Lawn

I have allowed mimosa to spread throughout what was formerly lawn here. The flowers are very pretty and also attract beneficial insects and bees. The only drawback is it can also invade beds with very deep, tough roots and runners. It does die back during winter. That's when I sow winter rye.

I have wedelia as well, but I hate it and pull out as much as possible - not sure if I'll ever be able to get rid of it all. It sure thrives and makes an attractive groundcover, but I hate the smell and its rampant growth. Luckily, it's not as hard to remove as mimosa or Bermuda grass.