Centipede grass 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. Centipede grass was introduced by seed from China in 1919. It is medium in texture with a pale to medium green color. In spite of its aggressiveness, Centipede grass is easily controlled and usually requires edging only once a year around walks and flowerbeds.

Although Centipede grass seed 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.

• 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. Centipede grass 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, planting centipede grass iseed s the lazy man's 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 grass 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.

Fertilizer

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 centipede grass 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 a soil test to see if your soil is too acidic.

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, Centipede grass prefers infrequent deep watering. Do not over-water (avoid standing water for any period of time). When planting centipede grass seed, ensure seed stays moist until germination.

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.

Weed Control

Centipede grass has an 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.

Pest Control

Pests can become a problem, especially if centipede grass 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.

• New turf: Seed centipede grass seed at 1/2 - 1 pound per 1,000 square feet or 20 - 40 lbs/acre for broadcast seeding
• Plant centipede grass seed when soil temperature reaches 70 degrees in spring up until a minimum of 10 weeks before frost in fall
• Coated seed has a clay-based coating material on it which enhances seed germination, seedling survival, and growth. Planting rates are the same as raw seed for most applications. When you buy coated seed, approximately half of the weight will be the coating material so it will be listed as inert matter. If you are concerned about getting less seed per pound, then you would want to buy the raw seed.

Two Great LazyMan Products For Lawns, Gardens, Flowerbeds, etc.

LazyMan Liquid Gold - LazyMan Liquid Gold lawn aerator, dethatcher and soil conditioner is a 3-in-1 easy apply spray-on liquid application to aerate, dethatch, and condition your turf and soil. The aeration portion of LazyMan Liquid Gold is uniquely formulated to reduce crusting, loosen up hard clay soils, aggregate sandy soil, and allow water and oxygen to better reach plant roots by reducing the surface tension between the water and the soil. While this aerator is loosening the soil, the microbial dethatcher breaks down thatch in to organic matter and beneficial soil microorganisms, kelp extracts and potassium humate help to enrich the soil.

LazyMan Soil Doctor - LazyMan Soil Doctor is our latest product in lawn renovation. We have enhanced our already popular LazyMan Liquid Gold and added organic-based 6-1-2 fertilizer with amino acids to this proprietary blend. LazyMan Soil Doctor is a 4-in-1 easy apply spray-on liquid to aerate, dethatch, fertilize, and condition your turf and soil for lawns, gardens, flowerbeds, etc. While this aerator is loosening the soil, the microbial dethatcher breaks down thatch in to organic matter and beneficial soil microorganisms, kelp extracts and potassium humate help to enrich the soil. Meanwhile, the organic-based 6-1-2 fertilizer has already been absorbed in to the plant tissue. A powerful combination all wrapped in to one product..