Centipede Grass Care Guide

Centipede is the grass for people who'd rather be doing something other than yard work. It needs less fertilizer, less mowing, and less water than practically anything else you could plant. The irony? Most centipede lawns that fail were killed with kindness — too much nitrogen, too much water, too much "help." This guide is as much about what to stop doing as what to start.

Mowing

Maintain centipede at 1.5-2.5 inches. It grows slowly, so you may only need to mow every 7-10 days. Do NOT scalp centipede in spring — unlike bermuda, it does not recover well from aggressive mowing.

Fertilization

Centipede needs only 1-2 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft per year total. Apply 0.25-0.5 lb N at greenup (soil 65°F+) and one more application in mid-summer. Centipede prefers acidic soil (pH 5.0-5.5) — do not lime unless a soil test shows pH above 6.0.

Weed Control

Atrazine (Spectracide) is the standard broadleaf herbicide for centipede. It is safe at label rates and provides both pre-emergent and post-emergent activity. Celsius WG is a premium alternative. Avoid 2,4-D products at full rate.

Common Problems

Centipede decline (yellowing, thinning) is caused by over-fertilization, over-watering, or high soil pH. Ground pearls are a soil insect specific to centipede — there is no effective chemical control. Large patch disease can occur at dormancy transitions.