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Questions about centipede lawns
by Jeremy M . Kichler County Extension Coordinator Colquitt County • Moultrie , Georgia email : jkichler @ uga . edu
Centipede lawns are ideal for homeowners who want a lowmaintenance , great-looking lawn . County agents often do not receive calls from homeowners about how great their lawns look . I get calls when things are not so good . Let ’ s discuss some common questions about centipede lawns .
When do I apply fertilizer to my centipede ? Good question . I would apply the spring application of nitrogen when the 4-inch soil temperature reaches 65 degrees F . If you would like to monitor soil temperatures , please go to the UGA Weather Network .
How much fertilizer do I apply ? Well , it is a guess unless you soil test . For your P and K recommendations , please base them on a soil test . You can learn about soil sampling from your local County Extension office . Over fertilization is a common issue for centipede lawns that can contribute to centipede decline . One pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is enough for centipede lawns . The best way to manage nitrogen is to split your nitrogen three times over the year , which would be 1 / 3 lb of nitrogen per
application . If you only want to apply nitrogen two times per year , then apply 4 pounds of 16-4-8 per 1000 square feet after spring green-up and again in mid-summer .
Why is my grass yellow after I fertilize ? If the grass shows signs of iron chlorosis ( yellowing of leaves ), apply ferrous sulfate at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 3 gallons of water to each 1,000 square feet of grass . Applications of iron will only temporarily darken the green color of centipedegrass and may need to be applied every two to four weeks . Chlorosis can also be a symptom of more permanent problems , like improper soil pH and an elevated level of soil phosphorus . A soil test can help confirm the cause of centipedegrass yellowing .
What soil pH do I need ? Centipede lawns prefer to have a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.0 . Factors such as the pH increasing above 6.0 and the lawn having high phosphorous levels can lead to decreased iron availability . If the lime recommendation is greater than 50 pounds per 1000 square feet , split the application and apply only half of the recommended amount . Lawn managers should wait 4 months and take a soil sample to re-evaluate the pH of the soil after the lime application . Take All disease of centipedegrass and St . Augustinegrass may sometimes occur if too much lime is applied ; retesting before applying more lime is a precautionary measure to avoid problems with Take All disease .
What is the preferred mowing height ? Please mow the centipede to a height of 1 to 1.5 inches . If the grass is mowed often enough so that no more than one-third of the leaf is removed , the clippings do not have to be removed .
I have an irrigation system . How do I water my lawn ? An irrigation system can be a great thing if used correctly . When your lawn starts to show signs of drought stress , apply enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 6 – 8 inches . This is usually the equivalent of about 1 inch of rainfall or 600 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet . If the soil becomes compacted , then core aeration will be recommended . This will allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil profile .
If you have questions about lawns , please contact your local county Extension agent . n
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34 MoultrieScene MAY 2024