Why Centipede?     Why Not?

Centipedegrass is a warm season lawn grass that is thick sod forming, uniform growing, and medium to light green colored. It has a coarse texture with short upright stems that grow to about 3-5 inches and spread by stolons.

Centipedegrass is a low maintenance grass It requires infrequent mowing. Centipedegrass has medium shade tolerance and limited traffic tolerance.

Centipedegrass is shallow rooted and has poor drought tolerance.  During summer months soil moisture should be monitored. Centipede grass should only be watered when stressed, and only when the soil can be watered four to six inches.

Centipedegrass survives in mild cold temperatures as long as there aren’t several hard freezes since it doesn’t go into a true dormancy. With light freezes it will turn brown but recover and re-green as the temperature rises.

Centipedegrass does well in sandy and acidic soils. Centipede grass has low fertilization requirements. Too much nitrogen encourages the stolons to grow above the soil instead of on the soil which then reduces its cold and drought tolerance.

When healthy, this full sun and slightly shade tolerant grass is aggressive enough to choke out weeds and other grasses.

Centipedegrass seed is native to Southern China and was introduced to the United States in 1916. It has since become one of the common grasses in the southeastern states and Hawai'i.

Management. Centipedegrass has been described as a "lazy man's grass" because of its low maintenance requirements. In general, annual fertilization, regular mowing and irrigation as needed to prevent severe wilting will meet with the requirements for a satisfactory centipedegrass lawn. Too often homeowners try to push centipedegrass with nitrogen to enhance color and growth. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may enhance color and stimulate growth, but it also leads to problems with centipedegrass lawns.

Annual applications of nitrogen in the spring and fall at a rate of 1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft. are recommended. A summer application of nitrogen at ° to 1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft. is optional.

Centipedegrass is naturally shallow rooted and water management is critical on heavy textured soils during summer months. Centipedegrass is not as drought tolerant as some people have been led to believe, and improper watering during drought stress can cause problems. Water should be applied when centipedegrass shows signs of water stress -- wilted and discolored turf. Light, frequent applications of water should be avoided since it promotes shallow rooting. Thoroughly wetting the soil 4 to 6 inches deep only when the grass shows signs of moisture stress is the proper procedure for watering centipedegrass lawns. Sandy soils require more frequent applications of water, but the soil should be wet 6 to 8 inches deep after each irrigation. Centipedegrass should also be watered during dry winter months to avoid desiccation. Excessive nitrogen fertilization and improper watering account for many of the problems homeowners have with centipedegrass lawns.

On sandy soils and on soils low in potassium, spring and fall applications of potassium help to promote root development and to reduce winterkill in centipedegrass. Potassium can be applied with nitrogen in a complete fertilizer such as 3-1-2 or 2-1-2 ratio. Avoid continuous use of a high phosphorous fertilizer since it contributes to iron deficiencies in centipedegrass.

Where centipedegrass develops chlorotic conditions, applications of iron sulfate or iron chelate may correct the condition temporarily. Monthly applications of iron may be required to maintain a green color. If nitrogen is applied with iron, only pound of N per 1,000 sq. ft. should be used. If soil pH is above 6.5 on a sandy soil or 7.2 on a heavy soil, elemental sulfur mayhelp to lower pH and increase iron availability. Soil test information should be considered to determine the amount of sulfur to apply. Sulfur applications should be made in the spring and fall on heavy soils. Annual or less frequent applications may be adequate on sandy soils.

Weed Control. Weed control improves the appearance and reduces the mowing needs of centipedegrass lawns. Winter weeds are particularly unsightly since they contrast so sharply with the dormant grass. Atrazine and hormone-type herbicides such as 2,4-D and MCPP can be used to control most broadleaved weeds including clover, chickweed, henbit and thistle. Herbicides should be applied in the fall or winter before these weeds mature.