Characteristics
Centipede is a warm season grass- resembles St. Augustine but finer in texture. Leaves are smaller than St. Augustine but larger than Bermuda grasses. Spreads by above ground stems called stolons. Forms a dense low maintenance lawn.
Recommended Usage
Shade Tolerance
Fair- better than bermuda, not as good as St. Augustine or Zoysia.
Drought Tolerance
Good- may turn brown from lack of water but will green up quickly with rainfall or watering.
Temperature TOlerance
Wear Resistance
Fair- heavy traffic shows quickly.
Water needs
Endures drought conditions well. Watering is required to keep centipede uniformly green all summer. Water on an as needed basis. Watering deeply is more important than watering frequently.
Mowing and hatching
Mow at 1 to 1.5 inches as-needed. Mowing frequency should be such that no more than 30% of the leaf is removed. Mowing too high and too infrequently can be detrimental by allowing thatch to build up.
Soil and Fertilizer Needs After Last Frost
Centipede often fails as a result of too much fertilizer. Winter damage is directly proportional to the amount of nitrogen applied. Recommend 15- 0-15 or 14-4-14 applied in June at the rate of 4-5 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Centipede as a pea green or crab apple green color. Attempting to achieve a dark green color can be disastrous. Maintain Ph between 5 and 6.5.
Disease, weed, insect control
If not overly maintained, centipede has few disease and insect problems. These can generally be easily controlled.