centipede grass sod
Mixing seed with 2 gallons of fine sand per 1,000 square feet will aid in distribution. That's another reason the Southeast and its high annual rainfall suit Centipede well. Phone: (910) 290-0574 Fax: (910) 298-5718 Email: smith192@embarqmail.com. CENTIPEDE SOD Has been described as a "lazy man's grass" because of its low maintenance requirements. In fact, St. Augustine grass is available only as sod (not seed). Then, lay a full length piece of sod to the side of your half piece. Centipedegrass will grow best at a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. It has low fertility requirements and adapts to sandy, acidic soils. If it looks bare or scalped, reset it to the previous height. Make sure to water if it hasn't rained for a couple of weeks to ensure your grass does not become dehydrated. Insect Control: Any insects that were missed during the nymphal stage in the summer will have grown to a size where damage is occurring. If the weed roots become deeper than the grass, make sure to pull them out and use weed killer on these patches. Binomial name. It does not grow well in the shade. 1939-1945. See HGIC 1201, Fertilizing Lawns for more information. If the damage is minimal, wait before applying an insecticide. Follow label directions for use of any herbicide and use with caution during these times. Sod typically is sold by the slab, a piece roughly a foot wide by 18 inches long. Aerification: Core aeration is the process of punching small holes in the turf and into the soil to alleviate compaction, thus allowing air to get to the root system. Lime or sulfur may also be added if a soil test indicates a need. Then, youll come back to your first piece. Insect Control: Cold winter temperatures will usually help keep insect problems at bay. The average lawn needs one inch of water per week, but mature lawns can handle less water if need be. Then, lay the next piece butting up against the first, stretching out horizontally away from your line. Sod plugs are ideal when you need to patch up small areas. Once a height is reached where the grass does not look good anymore, it looks too thin or scalped, raise the mowing height back to the previous setting. Contact the local County Extension office or the Home & Garden Information Center for weed identification and control measures. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. link to Who Makes The Most Reliable Lawn Mower Engines? Keep your lawn free of leaf debris by raking or mulchingas needed. It is not uncommon for it to take three years for a new lawn from seed to become uniform and dense. 4. On the second week following installation, youll need to water the lawn every other day, or every three days. Centipede grass needs full sunlight to form a healthy turf. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website. That's why we've We all love lawn care! However, you save a lot of time in aftercare, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labor much sooner than seeding. Pennington TifBlair Centipede Grass Seed and Mulchcombines those benefits with TifBlair, a Centipede variety with superior cold tolerance. And, finally, be patient! This is another reason why it is highly recommended to lay centipede grass sod in the spring or summer. The general rule for turfgrass irrigation is to water deeply and infrequently. Unlike Bermudagrass, Centipede does not typically require dethatching. For more information on mole cricket, see HGIC 2155, Mole Cricket Management in Turfgrass. The grass does not grow well in a high pH so before you plant centipede grass, test the pH of your soil and acidify it if needed. Potassium is needed late in the growing season as the grass goes into dormancy for added disease protection and winter hardiness. Light, superficial watering will only result in undesirable shallow root growth. Use a lawn mower with a bag attached or hand rake to collect and properly dispose the turf material pulled up. Overall, proper water management and thatch control are essential to curtail large patch problems. These pools of water under low light are exactly where fungi love to grow. When the turf begins to dry, it will appear to have a bluish color. Centipedegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides (for example, 2,4-D), so follow label . Apply any time before soil temperatures hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit and crabgrass starts germinating. Centipede is a coarse-textured, warm-season lawn grass that spreads by stolons. Your third row of sod will start with a full-length piece, and the fourth will begin with a half piece of sod. Mowing: The ideal mowing height for centipedegrass is from 1 to 2 inches, depending on the specific site and management regime and is best determined by the conditions in the lawn. 2. Read our. On the third week, you can scale back to watering once per week. This bag was relatively inexpensive and covers 2000 square feet. Homeowners love centipede because of its thick cover, uniform growth pattern, and low maintenance requirements. Established centipedegrass should not receive phosphorus fertilizer unless a soil test indicates that it is deficient. Check out the website to see the line of equipment. Mowing: Continue to mow the centipedegrass lawn at the normal mowing height until the weather starts to cool in the fall. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. This is because the grass is not yet well established when the temperatures drop in the fall. A soil test will help determine if a fertilizer containing phosphorous is required for best growth of the turf. Clay soils, however, will hold moisture for a longer period of time. As with all pest control, proper weed identification is essential. Turf weakened by disease in fall will be slow to recover in the spring; therefore, fungicide applications are needed to control disease before the grass goes dormant. This is the measured distance from the mower blade to a hard surface and can easily be determined by using a small ruler. Seeds are also extremely light in weight, making seeding an attractive option for those who cannot lift heavy items. It does best in sunny areas, but can tolerate moderate shade. Water Centipede lawns as needed to keep grass from becoming stressed. Centipedegrass is often referred to as "lazy-persons" grass because it has low maintenance requirements. Sod is made of established grass, making it undeniably hardier than delicate new seeds. The first step when laying grass sod is to till the soil and add in organic material and a nitrogen rich fertilizer while you are tilling. As the stolons move their way across the soil, roots anchor into the soil, producing a new plant. One telltale sign of over-fertilization is when the grass is dark green and not its naturally medium to light green color. If youre interested in sodding your lawn with centipede grass, but youre worried about the price tag, you could consider purchasing sod plugs. The Eichsttt witch trials was a series of witch trials that took place in the Prince-Bishopric of Eichsttt (German: Hochstift Eichsttt, Frtsbistum Eichsttt), Bavaria, Germany, between 1532 and 1723.They resulted in the execution of at least 224 people (197 women and 27 men), and were among the biggest witch trials in Germany. Generally, one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square foot annually is sufficient. This could indicate an iron or manganese deficiency due to soil temperatures lagging behind air temperatures, high pH soils, or high phosphorous levels. Mow Centipede lawns as needed to maintain a recommended grass heightof 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Centipede lawns should have yellow-green leaf blades most of the growing season. In heavily infested turf, the rings may grow together and no longer appear circular. To combat, try a low nitrogen fertilizer. Blade Color: Pale green. Purchasing sod does come with a larger price tag than grass seeds. A long-term approach is needed to correct either cause, but iron can be added to quickly enhance turf color between the spring and summer fertilizer applications. Make this last fertilizer application before August 15 in the Upstate and before September 1 along the coast. Till up the area about 3 to 4 inches deep with a tiller or rotary hand cultivator. Centipede grass needs less fertilizer than most other turfgrasses. However, it is important that you keep your sod well moisturized. The added iron in this product helps maintain Centipede's green color. This will help to correct problems associated with poor infiltration and drainage. A soil probe can be used to monitor the soil moisture. We understand how frustrating it can be when you buy a product only to find out it can't stand the test of time. It is an aggressively growing grass that is fairly attractive and requires little care. Are you looking for a lawn mower engine that won't let you down? If the sod is allowed to dry out, the roots will quickly dry out, and you will not be able to revive them. Fertilization: Fertilization of centipedegrass should be based on soil test results, and this is a good time to test soil. Centipede is more cold tolerant than St. Augustine grasses but has less shade tolerance. Eremochloa ophiuroides, or centipedegrass, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. Centipede grass is a warm season grass that can grow in the most unpleasant conditions such as extreme heat, sandy soils, and acidic soils. If you're uncertain about your area's typical weather conditions or an unexpected weather event occurs check in with your county extension agent for local lawn care advice. If the sod is allowed to dry out and die, youll have wasted all the time and money you spent on this lawn. Thatch Removal: If a thatch layer becomes a problem, use a dethatcher or vertical mower to remove it. Control emerged weeds and feed your Centipede lawn in late spring with Pennington UltraGreen Southern Weed & Feed 34-0-4. This is great news for those who may have underestimated how much sod theyll need. Inquire as to whether they sell centipede grass sod and how soon they can sell some to you. Do not allow the lawn to stay excessively wet if the lawn has a clay soil. The most prevalent advantage of covering your lawn with sod instead of starting from scratch with seed is the instant payoff. Species: E. ophiuroides. For more information, see HGIC 2150, Brown Patch & Large Patch Diseases of Lawns. Centipedegrass ( Eremochloa ophiuroides) was introduced into the United States in 1916 from China. Although Centipede Grass is fairly tolerant of shade, it still does best with full sunlight exposure. Centipede grass tolerates acidic soil with pH as low as 4.5 to 6.0 much lower than most grasses prefer.2 At higher pH levels, Centipede may turn yellow due to pH-induced iron deficiencies. Irrigation: In the absence of rainfall, continue to water the lawn to prevent drought stress. Model# BAUGT8SCEN64. When temperatures drop low, Centipede can sustain damage; repeated injuries over winter can prove fatal. Then, take a piece of plywood and lie it down over the sod. Water it lightly, keep it moist, and follow the instructions for starting a lawn from seed. Dethatch your centipede lawn when the thatch is thicker than inch. Centipede sod can handle some shade but really thrives in full sunlight. During periods of environmental stress due to high temperatures or a lack of rainfall, raise the mowing height to 1 inch until the stress is eliminated. Prepare the planting area in the same manner as for seed, tilling it up a few inches deep. It's a warm-season grass. Sod laid in fall or winter months should be kept moist. Copyright 2023 Clemson UniversityClemson Cooperative Extension | 103 Barre Hall Clemson, SC 29634864-986-4310 | 1-888-656-9988 (SC residents only) | Contact UsHGIC@clemson.edu, St. Augustinegrass Yearly Maintenance Program, How to prepare your well for the next flood: Evacuation Preparations and Return Home, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Centipedegrass Yearly Maintenance Program. Watering before 10 a.m. is the standard recommendation, as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the suns rays are the strongest. During the hot summer months, and when it is getting cooler in the fall, increase the mowing height by 1/4 to 1/2 inch, which helps to protect the grass. Most areas of South Carolina receive enough rainfall during the winter to avoid winter desiccation of lawns. If you dont feel like incurring another expense after purchasing all that sod, you can try another way. OK : OK . It thrives under the warm sun and grows now more than any other time of the year. Add to Cart. After a few rows of sod, youll notice the yard resembling a brick wall with its alternating seams. It requires little fertilizer, infrequent mowing, and will tolerate moderate shade. The resulting competition can weaken Centipede's root system and cause the grass to fail.1, Centipede has the slowest growth rate of common warm-season lawn grasses.2 It spreads by creeping, above-ground stems called stolons. Centipede is a warm season turf Grass with a medium to light green color, low maintenance, and slow growing creeping 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. If it looks bare or scalped, reset it to the previous height. Then pat it down or use a lawn roller to firm it up enough so that you can walk across it and barely leave footprints, says Waltz. Compared to other lawn grasses, it is moderately resistant to insects and diseases. Talk to your local university coop extension service (find yours here) to ID your grass if youre not sure what species you have. Sprinkle seeds over the bare soil; theres no need to rake them in. We are sod suppliers and sell the best quality St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, Zoysia grass, and Bermuda grass sod. Granular herbicides must be watered into the soil soon after application. A simple soil thermometer from your favorite garden retailer can guide you. Renovation: Replant large bare areas in May using sod, seed ( to pound per 1,000 square feet) or sprigs (5 bushels per 1,000 square feet). This is especially important if warm, bright days preceed days forecasted to be in the low 20s or lower. OK . What Is CrabgrassAnd Is It Really That Bad? Once planted in the soil, the centipede grasss stolons quickly branch out. OK : OK . Whichever you choose, what you need to do first is to till the soil. If mole cricket activity is observed, apply a lawn insecticide if damage is excessive. Insect Control: There are various insects that may attack centipedegrass during the summer months. North of this area, winters are too cold for its survival. It may take several years for a large pH change to occur. Repeat this until you reach the end of the area. Follow label instructions thoroughly. After reducing the mowing height, inspect the grass. However, Centipede grass has very specific climate and soil needs that limit its U.S. use primarily to the Southeast. When starting with seed, make sure to prepare the soil well, breaking up any aggregates so the soil is fine. If the turf at the edge of the dying area shows a smoky brown, rotted appearance, it will be necessary to apply a fungicide treatment. Once the grass is growing, its roots will become stronger and can begin to push down into the amended clay soil. 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centipede grass sod