Turf Care...

Centipedegrass Care : April thru Juneby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing  -  Mow grass to 1 inch. Do not let grass get taller than 1 1/2 inches. NEVER burn off centipedegrass to remove excessive debris.

Fertilization  -  DO NOT apply nitrogen at this time. Yellow appearance may indicate an iron deficiency. Spray iron (ferrous) sulfate (2 ounces in water per 1,000 square feet) or a chelated iron source as needed. Follow label directions. Grass will green up within 24 hours.

Watering -  Actively growing centipedegrass needs 1 inch of water each week. If rainfall is insufficient, you will need to water. Sandy soils often require 1/2 inch of water every third day if rainfall is insufficient. Proper watering helps prevent or reduce problems later in the summer.

Weed Control  -  When dogwoods are in full bloom, apply preemergence herbicides to control crabgrass, goosegrass, and foxtail. Apply postemergence herbicides in May if you need to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds like knotweed, spurge, and lespedeza. Do not apply postemergence herbicides until 3 weeks after greenup. Centipedegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides (for example, 2,4-D), so follow label directions and use with caution.

Insect Control -  Check for and control any white grubs.

Centipedegrass Care : June thru Augustby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing -  Mow lawn at 1 inch. Mow before grass gets above 1 1/2 inches tall.

Fertilizing -  Fertilize with 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. (once a year) in mid-June using a high potassium fertilizer (e.g., 5-5-15, 6-6-12, 8-8-24). An additional fertilization in August may enhance performance in coastal locations. Fertilizers without phosphorus (e.g., 15-0-14, 8-0-24) are preferred if soils exhibit moderate-to-high levels of phosphorus. Yellow appearance may indicate an iron deficiency. Spray iron (ferrous) sulfate (2 ounces in water per 1,000 sq. ft.) or a chelated iron source to enhance color as needed. Follow label directions.

Watering -  Water to prevent drought stress. About 1 inch of water per application each week is needed for growing centipedegrass. Sandy soils often require more frequent watering; i.e., l/2 inch of water every third day.

Weed Control -  Apply postemergence herbicides as needed for control of summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, such as knotweed, spurge, lespedeza, etc. Centipedegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides (e.g., 2,4-D, MSMA), so follow label directions and use with caution. Do not apply herbicides unless grass and weeds are actively growing and lawn is not suffering from drought stress.

Insect Control -  Check for white grubs and control if necessary

Centipedegrass Care : September thru Novemberby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing -  Mow lawn at 1 inch. Mow before grass gets above 1 1/2 inches tall. Raise mowing height to 1 1/2 inches several weeks before expected frost.

Fertilizing -  Fertilize with 1 pound of potash (K2O) per 1,000 sq. ft. 4 to 6 weeks before expected frost using 1.6 pounds of muriate of potash (0-0-60) or 2 pounds of potassium sulfate (0-0-50) DO NOT lime centipedegrass unless recommended by soil test.

Watering -  Water to prevent drought stress. About 1 inch of water per application each week is sufficient for growing centipedegrass. Sandy soils often require more frequent watering; i.e., 1/2 inch of water every third day. Water following onset of dormancy (browning of foliage) if needed to prevent excessive dehydration.

Insect Control -  Check for white grubs and control if necessary. (See North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Publication

Centipedegrass Care : December thru Februaryby NC State Cooperative Extension Service Turf Files

Mowing -  Remove lawn debris (rocks, sticks, and leaves). Do not burn off centipedegrass to remove excessive debris because of possible injury to the grass and potential fire hazard.

Fertilizing -  DO NOT fertilize centipedegrass at this time. Submit soil samples for analysis every 3 years to determine nutrient requirements. Be sure to specify centipedegrass. (Contact your county Extension Center for details.) Apply lime or sulfur if suggested (based on soil test) to raise or reduce soil pH respectively. DO NOT lime centipedegrass unless recommended by soil test.

Watering -  Water to prevent excessive dehydration.

Weed Control -  Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary for control of chickweed, henbit, etc. Centipedegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides (e.g., 2,4-D), so follow label directions for reducing rates, and use with caution. Selected herbicides (e.g., atrazine or simazine) can be applied in November or December for control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and several winter annual broadleaf weeds.

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