Conditions

Centipede grass is a low-growing grass of medium coarseness. It is typically a pale-green and will not achieve the darker green color of Bermuda or Zoysia grass. While it is a spreading grass type, it spreads slowly through surface roots called stolons and can be slow to establish. Because these surface roots are unprotected, they are susceptible to freezing. During winters with cycles of hard freezing and re-warming, entire lawns may die as the grass depletes its energy reserves in a cycle of freezing and re-growing. For this reason, we only treat this type of grass in the most southern regions of our service area.

Threats

Besides the cold, the biggest natural threat to Centipede grass is nematode damage. Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on roots. Affected turf will appear weak and thin. It also suffers from a phenomenon called “Centipede decline”. While the exact cause is not known, certain cultural practices have been shown to improve resistance to Centipede decline:

• Establish grass on well-drained soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.
• Choose a location with full sun.
• Aerate Centipede grass annually.
• Maintain a grass height between 1-1.5”
• Avoid heavy nitrogen applications, especially in the late summer and fall.