By DoMyOwn staff
Centipede grass is a warm-season grass that requires less time to produce an attractive turf, making it an appealing pick for many homeowners in Southeastern states.
If you are looking to cut back on lawn maintenance, centipede grass might be for you. Centipede grass is a hardy, warm-season, low-maintenance turf suitable for many areas of the Southeastern United States.
It requires less time spent on cultivation, mowing, or fertilization to produce an attractive turf, making it an appealing pick for many homeowners.
Centipede is a medium to light green turf with shallow roots and horizontal stems called stolons. At a glance, Centipede grass resembles St. Augustine grass, which many find appealing. Centipede grass prefers mild climates and may brown during a hard freeze but will recover as temperatures rise.
Mow every 5-7 days, keeping the grass blades between 1 to 2 inches long. The first mow usually happens in mid-March, after the final frost. Once soil temperatures rise above 55 degrees, your centipede grass will begin its springtime growth. You will continue to mow through spring, summer, and fall. Occasional mowing during the winter months might help your centipede turf look more attractive.
For new lawns, early summer is the best time to plant Centipede grass, with soil temperatures at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sod or seed should be laid on well-prepared soil, and new sod will need extra water for the first week. Newly seeded areas need watering daily for the first several weeks while the new seeds germinate and emerge from the soil. Once the grass gets a healthy stand, you will likely water moderately once a week.
Overall, Centipede grass does not need frequent watering. In addition to regular rainfall, you may need to water with an inch of water on occasion if you see the grass wilting or turning grayish green.
Aeration helps compacted soil by allowing air, nutrients, and water to reach the roots. This should be done in early summer when centipedegrass is growing rapidly. The lawn should be watered and fertilized after aeration to help it recover quickly.
Test your soil to maintain a pH between 5 and 6. If your pH is too high, try adding sulfur to drop the pH level. Fertilize lightly after spring green-up and continue through fall in 6 to 8 week intervals, avoiding heavy nitrogen and applications in cold weather to avoid plant injury.
Keep your Centipede grass healthy to resist weeds and diseases. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in fall and spring, and use post-emergent herbicides as needed. Keep in mind to apply products that are labeled for centipede turfgrass. For instance, Quinclorac products are not labeled for centipede and can cause plant injury.
Centipede may suffer from fungal infections like dollar spot or fairy ring. Apply fungicides to both treat and prevent lawn disease.
Insecticides labeled for turf pests in centipede can help manage and prevent pests like chinch bugs and grubs in your lawn. Maintain a healthy lawn to minimize infestations. Make sure to check out our lawn pest treatment guides for specific treatment instructions.
Centipede grass is a hardy, low-maintenance option for Southern lawns. For more tips or questions, visit our Lawn Care Guides.
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