Centipede Grass
Sod
( Eremochloa ophiuroides
)
Centipede grass
is the most commonly used lawn grass sod in the Florida Panhandle and is well suited to North Florida’s climate
and soil conditions. It is a beautiful crab apple green color with a medium textured blades with low maintenance
requirements when compared to other grasses.
Origination of Centipede
Sod:
Centipede
grass was introduced from Southeastern Asia.
Centipede grass lawn
Pros:
Well adapted to
North Florida’s climate and soils
Low maintenance
requirements
Fair to good shade
tolerance
Slow growth
rate
Low fertilizer
needs in PH soils of 5.0 - 6.0
Crowds out
weeds
Cons for a Centipede
Lawn:
Low wear or
traffic tolerance
Lighter green
coloring can cause problems with over fertilization in attempts to make it a deeper green color, over
fertilizing also causes thatch problems in this turf
Not salt
tolerant
Highly susceptible
to ring nematode damage as well as ground pearl (scale) insects
Stolons from
Centipede grass do not quickly decompose when clippings are left in turf causing thatch build
up
Lower drought
tolerance than most other North Florida sod selections (the only North Florida lawn grass with a higher water
requirement than Centipede grass is St. Augustine grass)
Soil Preferences of Centipede
Grass:
Centipede sod does best when grown in slightly acid soils with a
PH of 5 - 5.5 Severe iron chlorosis can occur in soils that have over a 6.5 PH level. Correct iron
yellowing of the grass blades with chelated iron or iron sulfate.
Shade Tolerance of Centipede grass
in lawns:
Centipede Sod is fairly shade tolerant.
Salt Tolerance of Centipede
Varieties:
Not a salt tolerant turf grass
option
Water Requirements of Centipede
Grass Lawns:
Established centipede grass sod should be watered on an
as needed basis when more than 30 percent of the lawn begins to show water stress. Grass blades
begin to turn a bluish gray green color and footprints remain in the sod after walking across the lawn. When
grass reaches this level water ¾ of an inch of water which is equivalent to 465 gallons of water per 1000 s.f.
This turf can be damaged by drought to a point where
it will not recover. Make sure to keep an eye on the lawn and set the timer on automatic or have a
neighbor water when going out of town on vacations.
Mowing
Requirements of Centipede Lawns:
Centipede is a slow growing sod making
mowing less frequently needed. Depending on the growing season waterfall rates centipede sod
should be mowed every 7-14 days. Mow at a height of 1 ½ - 2 ½ inches taking
care not to remove more than 1/3 of the total grass height in any one mowing.
Traffic Tolerance for Centipede Grass:
Centipede grass sod has a lower traffic tolerance
and is not suitable for lawns where children will be playing frequently, such as under a play set or playground
often or in areas where large family pets run frequently. Centipede sod recovers slowly from heavy traffic
damage, but light traffic of smaller indoor family pets and occasional recreational use will be tolerated well.
Centipede sod recovers slowly from heavy traffic damage
Fertilizer Needs of Centipede
Grass :
Centipede sod
does not require heavy fertilizer application to thrive. It could very easily be said that more
damage to centipede sod is done by adding fertilizer that is not needed than damage done to centipede sod by
lack of proper fertilization.
Fertilizer needs vary with differing soil conditions. In general
centipede sod will need from 1 to 3 applications of fertilizer per year at the rate of
1- lb of nitrogen per 1000 s.f. in the North Florida area.
In addition centipede sod responds well to applications of
supplemental iron, especially in higher PH alkaline soils where chlorosis will be a problem.
Apply Iron sulfate or chelated iron in liquid applications to help cure iron
deficiencies in centipede grass lawns.
Pest Problems and Management Practices for Centipede Grass:
Centipede grass
sod can be susceptible to Nematodes, Ground Pearls, mole
crickets, grubs, lawn caterpillars and sod webworms.
Once a problem has been identified contact your local agricultural extension office for treatment
options.
Disease
Problems and Management Practices for Centipede turf:
Centipede grass sod may occasionally suffer from
brown patch and may be affected by dollar spot under some conditions. Once a
problem has been identified check with your local Agricultural Extension Service for treatment options if
needed.
Centipede Grass decline can affect lawns
with improper management practices.
Chlorosis will be a problem when
planted on Alkaline soils. Centipede grass sod responds well to treatment with Chelated iron or iron
sulfate foliar sprays.
Establishment Methods of a Centipede Lawn:
Centipede lawns
can be established by seed from April to July, plugs, sprigs
or sod
Acceptable
Uses For Centipede sod:
Centipede
grass sod is a good choice for a full sun or partially shaded lawn that receives no salt exposure where a light
crabapple green grass, medium textured turf that is lower in maintenance is desired. Having an
irrigation system in place is recommended when Centipede grass lawns are used.
Don't think Centipede grass sod is right for
you? Checkout our the other warm season
Varieties of Sod for the
Jacksonville | St. Augustine | North Florida Area
|