Coated Centipede Grass Seed

Centipede was introduced by seed from China in 1919. Medium in texture with a pale to medium green color, Centipede is slow growing but highly aggressive grass that can be depended upon to produce a good, dense, relatively weed-free turf at low maintenance levels. In spite of its aggressiveness, Centipede is easily controlled and usually requires edging only once a year around walks and flowerbeds.

Although Centipede usually produces a good turf at low fertility and with little management, it responds nicely to good care. It is incapable of producing as high quality turf as the Bermudas and Zoysias, but it frequently looks better than either because the "high-brow" grasses are not getting the more exacting care they need.

Characteristics:

• easiest of all the grasses to cut
• reel or rotary mower, if sharp, does an easy and attractive cutting job
• does not look scalped when cutting is delayed too long and excessive growth removed
• greens up rapidly after a brief drought with irrigation or rainfall
• suited to acid soils (pH range of 5.0 to 6.5)
• should be fertilized very sparingly
• generally more trouble-free than other grasses if watered properly and fertilized sparingly or not at all

This creeping perennial is well adapted to the sandy, acidic soils of low fertility and requires low maintenance. It spreads by stolons and has a coarse texture with short upright stems that grow to about 3-5 inches and requiring less mowing, survives in mild cold temperatures as long as there aren’t several hard freezes since it doesn’t go into a true dormancy and with light freezes will turn brown but as soon as the temperature rises it will recover and re-greens.

With a worldwide reputation for providing attractive lawn cover with the lowest maintenance requirements of any grass grown, Centipede is the lazy mans grass of preference. This shade and drought tolerant crab apple green turf is the dominant turf grass in lawns of the mid-South.

When centipede is healthy it is aggressive enough to choke out weeds and other grasses. In the south this grass will remain green throughout the year. Although the roots are not as deep as Bahia or Bermuda, its close to the ground growth allows for better conservation of water and helps fight drought.

Centipedegrass Care and Maintenance

Fertility: Apply between 1 and 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 S.F. annually, during the growing season. Select a fertilizer that is labeled for use on centipedegrass lawns and contains iron. Do not apply fertilizer to wet turf to avoid burning. Too much fertility will result in a thatchy and unhealthy lawn. DO NOT APPLY LIME WITHOUT SOIL TEST.

Mowing: Mow between 2 inches high. Catch and remove clippings. Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf at any one cutting. Always use a sharp blade. Can be mowed with either reel or rotary mower.

Watering: Though drought tolerant, Centipedegrass prefers infrequent deep watering. Do not over-water (avoid standing water for any period of time).

Thatch Removal: Periodically it may be necessary to remove accumulated thatch and debris. This is best accomplished in the late winter - just before turf turns green. Scalp or rake heavily and remove debris.

Weeds: Centipede's open growth can encourage the weed population to grow. Use of a pre-emergent herbicide, recommended for use on centipede lawns on the label, is strongly recommended in the spring and fall.

Pests: Pests can become a problem, especially if centipede is not growing in a healthy way - too much or too little fertilizer or water, etc. If pests persist, contact the local county agent or nursery owner and ask for assistance in identification of the problem and the recommended control.

Seeding Rate & Planting Time: