How to Revive Centipede & St. Augustine Grasses

Use a pH level soil testing kit to determine the pH level of the soil of your lawn. Different grasses require different nutrients to thrive, and the level of pH can severely deteriorate the quality of a lawn over time. St. Augustine grass needs a soil pH level between 5 and 8.5 and will develop a chlorotic appearance in highly alkaline soils. Centipede grass, on the other hand, grows better in slightly acidic soils with a pH level of 5 or 6. Use soil amendments to correct pH levels accordingly. For example, agricultural lime raises the soil acidity, and iron sulfate is known to lower the acidity.

Examine the layout of the lawn to see whether the lawn is receiving the correct amount of sunlight. St. Augustine grass will tolerate some shade, but not complete shade, and Centipede grass grows best when exposed to full sun. Although there’s not much you can do to make the sun shine more, you can move or adjust structures in your yard, such as sheds, gazebos and awnings, to make sure that the lawn is receiving the most sun possible. This is a common revival technique when certain patches of the lawn are dying for seemingly unknown reasons.

Evaluate your watering regime to ensure that your lawn is receiving the right amount of hydration – these grasses turn brown if they don’t get enough water. St. Augustine grass tolerates some drought but generally requires 3/4 inches of water per watering session two days per week. Centipede grass requires 1/2 inch of water every third day.

Examine the lawn for visible weeds and insects that may be causing the lawn to turn brown and die. Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass are both susceptible to weed and plant infestation. Apply selective herbicides to target specific weeds without killing off the grass. Apply insecticides to rid your lawns of common pests such as chinch bugs and white grubs.

Apply fertilizer to the lawn to give it added nutrients. When a lawn turns brown and starts to die, revive it by giving it the food it needs to stay healthy. Centipede grass does not require lots of fertilizer to thrive, and St. Augustine grass requires regular fertilization. For Centipede grass, apply a fertilizer high in potassium such as 5-5-15 once in June. For St. Augustine grass, apply three applications per year: one in each March and September using 16-4-8 fertilizer and a third in June using an iron-rich fertilizer.