The Best Planting Situation for Centipede Grass

Geography

• Centipede grass is best suited to regions where winter temperatures rarely drop below 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This correlates to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7b and warmer. Centipede grass is adaptable to the southern one-fourth of the continental United States, but alkaline soil, lack of iron in soil and cold temperatures in high elevations mean that it mostly grows in the American Southeast's coastal plain. Alternating periods of freezing nights and warm days in spring cause severe plant damage.

Growing Requirements

• The ideal site for growing centipede grass is in a full sun location that receives at least six hours of direct sun rays daily. Avoid shady spots as it slows growth, encourages less dense coverage of soil and increases opportunities for weeds. A low to moderately fertile sandy to loamy soil suffices, as long as it is moist but well-drained and not alkaline in pH. The ideal pH range for this turf grass is between 5.0 and 6.0. Annual rainfall or supplemental irrigation needs to provide at least 40 inches of water.

Establishing a Lawn

• The easiest and cheapest way to start a centipede grass lawn is by sowing seed. It's important to start with a weed-free planting area that's tilled and raked smooth, rolled firm and then maintained moist and warm for 14 to 21 days. Sprigs or sod plugs take more resources to establish when planted in the warmth of spring and summer. More time and labor is needed as the planting area must be weed-free, tilled and raked smooth first. Then, the springs or sod plugs are planted 12 inches apart in rows that also are spaced 12 inches apart.

Growth Insight

• Centipede grass, while demonstrating some drought tolerance, develops a shallow root system and falters in overly dry soils. Sandy soils require more frequent watering than loam soils, but in either case, irrigation must be deep enough to wet the topsoil to a depth of 4 to 8 inches. Shallow, frequent irrigation is less desirable that infrequent, deep watering since the latter encourages a deeper root system into moister, cooler soil in summer. Improper watering and fertilization are the main reasons centipede grass lawns falter on residential properties.