Centipede Grass In Georgia
Centipede grass is a warm season turf grass which means its growing season begins in late spring and lasts through the summer then it goes mostly dormant or brown for the winter the beginning of the growing season is called green up as the grasses once again send up bright green blades and the lawn starts actively growing.
Centipede grass in georgia. Tall fescue is the most common cool season grass to grow in the state. It can tolerate as little as 6 hours of sun per day. Although centipedegrass is a relatively low maintenance grass proper management is still required. One can also use 15 0 15 centipedegrass fertilizer at a rate of 5 pounds per 1000 square feet.
16 4 8 fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 4 pounds per 1000 square feet each time. This grass will be mown quite low and every hill or bump will result in the grass getting scalped and the roots will die and centipede does not repair quickly. With a poor tolerance for foot traffic it will show wear in places that receive heavy use. Centipedegrass is ideal for the homeowner who wants a lawn that needs little care.
Centipedegrass the poor man s lawn can be a very attractive turf but it has advantages and disadvantages just like any other grass. Centipedegrass eremochloa ophiuroides is a slow growing apple green colored coarse leaved turfgrass that is adapted for use as a low maintenance general purpose turf it requires little fertilizer infrequent mowing and will tolerate moderate shade. Centipede sod has moderate to good shade tolerance but grows best in full sun. Another warm season grass centipede grass is a low maintenance variety that grows well in sandy low fertile soils like that in most of georgia.
Centipede is a warm season grass and should not generally be planted in late fall. The best time to plant centipede is in late spring early summer after soil temperatures are 70 degrees and all danger of freeze or frost is past this generally takes 80 consistent day highs in temperatures to achieve this temperature. To maintain a healthy appearance during the hottest months of summer centipede needs about 1 to 1 1 4 inches of water a week. Centipede is a medium textured low maintenance grass.
It can be established by either seed or vegetative parts and does not require much fertilizer. Not as drought tolerant as other grasses. Low to medium with yearly fertilization and possible additions of iron sulfate or chelate on heavier soils with ph higher than 7 2 and on sandy soils higher than 6 5. Because it grows slowly centipede grass requires less frequent mowing than other grasses though it likewise takes longer to mature and fill in a yard after seeding.
It is green in the summer but goes dormant in the winter. However in order for centipedegrass to grow well it needs at least 6 hours of full sun. Compared to other lawn grasses it is moderately resistant to insects and diseases.