Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Centipede Grass is a low, medium textured, slow growing, but aggressive grass that can produce a dense, attractive, weed-free turf. It is more shade tolerant than bermudagrass but less shade tolerant than St. Augustine. Since Centipede produces only surface runners, it is easily controlled around borders of flower beds and walks.

Its popularity as a lawn grass stems from its adaptation to low fertility conditions and its low maintenance requirements. Where Centipedegrass is adapted and properly managed, it has few serious pest problems. It is particularly well adapted to the sandy, acid soils of the southeastern United States. Its westward movement is somewhat limited by severe iron deficiencies that develop in the alkaline soils of the arid regions. And, its northward movement is restricted by low temperatures.

Centipedegrass is moderately shade tolerant, but grows best in full sunlight. It is not as salt tolerant as St. Augustine or Bermudagrass. Centipedegrass thrives on moderately acid soils, pH 5 to 6. Above pH 7.0 iron becomes a limiting factor and supplemental applications of iron may be required.

Centipede is the ideal grass for the homeowner who wants a fairly attractive lawn that needs little care. Centipede does not require much fertilizer or mowing, and compared to other lawn grasses, is generally resistant to most insects and diseases. It will, however, respond to good management and provide a very attractive turf.

Follow the link below to find instructions for planting a lawn using sod grass:

www.gardenality.com/Articles/309/How-To-Info/Planting/How-To-Plant-A-Lawn-With-Sod-Grass/default.html

Follow the link below to find instructions for planting a lawn using seed:

www.gardenality.com/Articles/306/How-To-Info/Planting/How-To-Plant-A-Lawn-With-Seed/default.html

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Cut your Centipede lawn using a rotary mower with a sharp blade. It's a good idea to use the two-blade system. Keep one extra sharp blade around for a replacement every 8 to 12 cuttings.

Don't scalp the lawn too low. Remember each time you cut the grass you're stressing it out. Never cut more than one third of the grass blade off at a time. Maintain your Centipede lawn at 3 inches height. Wait until it reaches 4-1/2 inches and then remove 1-1/2 inches.

As long as you mow on a regular basis, leave the clippings since they are a natural way to feed your grass. Clippings also reduce the amount of water the grass needs to stay green and healthy looking.

Mow when grass is dry. Mowing long grass that's wet is a sure fire recipe for those dreaded clumps. And clumps can promote the onset of damaging fungus.

Avoid ruts and help your grass to stand straighter by mowing at a different angle each mowing.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
Many call Centipede grass 'The Lazy Man's Grass," referring to it's low maintenance and low fertilization needs. Though fertilization is not required, if you want it to maintain a lush, dark green appearance, you'll need to feed it at least once or twice a season.

Follow the link below to find instructions for fertilizing a Centipede grass lawn:

www.gardenality.com/Articles/108/How-To-Info/Lawn-Care/How-To-Fertilize-A-Centipede-Lawn/default.html

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
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.

I haven't see too many problems with insects on Centipede. If brown spots that are becoming larger begin to appear in your Centipede this could be white grubs. Another insect we see on rare occasion is the spittle bug. Spittle bugs are black in color, triangular in shape, and have bright red stripes on their wings. The Spittle bug gets its name from the spit-like substance it secretes in patches of the lawn. Your local nursery or garden center will carry products for use in controlling these and other pests.

In a healthy Centipede lawn, weed control is very minimal.