Centipede Notes For Customers

Mowing: Centipede will tolerate a range of mowing heights though mowing often and short is recommended. Recommended mowing height is between 1 and 2 inches. In order to keep centipede short, it will require more frequent mowing and possible more water during dry periods. Centipede is a little slower growing than other warm season grasses so mowing slightly less often is tolerable. Whenever mowing, the rule of thumb is to not cut off more than ⅓ of the grass blade. If you do not wish to cut centipede 7-10 days, then you will probably need to gradually raise the mowing height during the summer months. A common mowing pattern would be as follows:

March- If you like to have and early green lawn, consider mowing once the weather begins to warm which allows more sunlight to reach the roots. This will increase the likelihood of winter damage so if we are still experiencing freezing weather proceed with caution.

April- Once freezing weather is gone for the year, mow short to allow sun to warm roots and allow “green up”. A frost at this time make cause some discoloration in the turf. This is typically not easy to prevent and usually the turf will begin growing and the damaged turf can be mowed off.

May-Oct- Begin mowing frequently in order to keep short OR begin to gradually raise mowing height to keep from scalping lawn if you don’t want to mow as often.

Watering: Water the lawn as necessary from May through September. Water during cooler months can be helpful if it is unusually dry but typically it is not necessary. If you have irrigation, I would recommend watering less often but longer. For example, instead of watering 4 times per week for 15 minutes per zone, water 1 time per week for 45 minutes per zone. Watering too often can lead to fungus and weed problems. 1 deep soaking per week is usually sufficient along with normal rain. During dry periods, you may want to water twice weekly. If you have irrigation on seasonal flowers, then water those areas more often for shorter lengths. For example, you can water flowers 3 times per week for 5 minutes per zone.

For irrigation systems, water early in the morning such as 4:00 AM. Watering in the evening can allow water to stay on the grass too long possibly leading to fungus.

Other Notes: Centipede is drought tolerant but not as much as bermuda lawns. It is important to start watering during dry, hot periods before the grass turns brown Often, once the grass begins to turn brown, damage has already occurred and it may take a while to recover because centipede can be slow to recover from damage.

Centipede is more shade tolerant than bermuda but not as shade tolerant as zoysia or st augustine. This doesn’t mean that centipede likes shade, but it tolerates a little. Sun is much better for centipede lawns. If you have a lot of shade in areas, it is recommended to make that area a natural area with mulch or pine straw..

Centipede can be prone to fungus. Typically we do not include fungicide in our regular lawn treatment program because most yards do not suffer regularly from fungus. If you lawn begins to show fungus damage, we can add a fungicide application in the all of the year to help prevent fungus in the lawn. Typically once a fungus appears, it can be slowed down with a fungicide and the grass will recover over time, typically when the weather dries out and warms.

Centipede doesn’t need as much nitrogen as bermuda or zoysia lawns. It is recommended not to use more than 2 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per calendar year.

Common weeds: Nutsedge is common in the summer. It is very difficult to kill but can be controlled with herbicides. Nutsedge and kyllinga both like wet areas in the lawn.

Crabgrass: Crabgrass is usually prevented with a pre-emergent in January or February. If the first application of the year is after February, it is possibly that the lawn will have crabgrass. Crabgrass is difficult to control in the summer but it dies off with cool weather and can be prevented the following year with pre-emergent. Crabgrass is not as common in centipede as it is in bermuda lawns.

Burnweed: Burnweed appears around April and it difficult to prevent with a pre emergent because it germinates in the thatch. It is easily controlled. It is a problem weed because it can almost appear overnight in bunches. Please contact us if you have a burnweed breakout. Mowing in the spring will greatly help with burnweed also.

Basics of the Centipede Grass Program:

Note: Treatments may not always be equally spaced out due to a number of circumstances including weather. Please allow us the flexibility to provide the best care to our customers lawns.

Application 1: Pre and Post-Emergent Application: Jan 2- Feb 28th

This application controls existing broadleaf weeds with a post emergent herbicide as well as a crabgrass treatment designed to target crabgrass and other warm season weeds during the germination process. Post emergent needs a couple of hours before water to be effective. Pre emergent needs to be watered in at some point (You can wait for rain). Just don’t bag the clippings until it is watered in. Mulching is fine. After it is watered in, you are welcome to bag if you wish.

Application 2: Nutritional Supplements: March 1st – April 30th

This application may be liquid or granular. We use a couple of different options. The goal is the same. We are providing nutrients to the lawn during a critical time of year when the grass is transitioning out of dormancy. Spraying herbicides during this time can cause delayed green up of the lawn. This may be the time when weeds are most common in the lawn because we have to be careful spraying herbicides during this time. Once the lawn is fully green, then herbicides can be applied to control the weeds. Mowing the lawn can help with some pesky spring weeds.

Application 3: Early Summer Fertilization and Spot Treatment for Weeds: May 1st- June 30th

This application uses a quality, slow release fertilizer to feed your lawn for up to 8 weeks. By utilizing slow-release fertilizer, nutrients will continue to the lawn providing good color and growth when properly watered. Technicians will spot treat your lawn for existing weeds.

Application 4: Summer Fertilization and Spot Treatment for Weeds: July 1st- August 31st

Application 5: Fall Pre-Emergent Application: Sept 1st – Oct 31st

This liquid application targets cool season weeds which germinate in the fall. Post emergent needs a couple of hours before water to be effective. Pre emergent needs to be watered in at some point (You can wait for rain). Just don’t bag the clippings until it is watered in. Mulching is fine. After it is watered in, you are welcome to bag if you wish. This application is designed to prevent cool season weeds that typically are seen in the winter and early spring.

Application 6: Lime Application: Nov 1 – Dec 31

This application uses a granular lime. Grass grows best within a certain pH range. Soils in the majority or our area need lime to raise the pH of the soil to a level better suited for bermuda grass, centipede grass, zoysia grass and st augustine grass. The lime helps the grass be able to absorb nutrients, leading to a healthier turf.