Bermuda grass

About 1/4 of my back yard is Bermuda grass. The local lawn expert told me that it is so hard to get rid of that my best bet is to kill off that part of the lawn completely and start over. Is this true? Is yes, when is the the best time to do it? I live in Delaware (zone 7).

That’s pretty much correct. It will take very deep smothering. Several layers of cardboard and at least 12” deep wood chip. But you will always fight it growing back on the edges and even some will probably make it through the smothering. I fight it constantly. I eventually gave up on that side of the yard for my annuals and planted berries and just mow around them. The other side of my yard was native. It was easy to smother everything out with only a weed here and there popping up but I didn’t put near as much chips.

On the flip side that’s what makes it great for pasture…near impossible to kill

Edit~ I would use the other side of the yard if possible.

Welcome to the forum!

What is wrong with having a Bermuda grass lawn?  If your backyard is sunny that is the best grass to have.

Do you have the resources to cover the entire lawn with cardboard, cover with 6 to 12 inches of wood chips?  This is my only known solution.

What kind of grasses are usually grown in Delaware for sunny lawns?

We have Quack-grass here. (Elymus repens)
It's almost impossible to completely eradicate.
We have chased roots down 4-5 feet or more!
A heavy black tarp will weaken it in the center but the edges will grow back right away.
Planting a desirable grass is almost impossible as the quack will quickly overtake it.
If a lawn is your desire, then bringing in quality sod grass will improve your chances of a nice lawn.