How to Plant Centipede Grass Seeds in the Late Fall

Centipede grass came from China to the United States in 1919. It's a slow-growing perennial grass that spreads by above ground stems. The grass is popular because it adapts to sun and shade fairly well, and it's low-maintenance. Starting a lawn through seeding is generally best during late spring to early summer. However, you can grow centipede lawns in late fall, after the soil gets cold.

Grader
Tiller
Fertilizer
Cyclone-type seeder
Centipede seed
Rake
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Grade the soil away from your house. Ensure that the yard drains toward a ditch or runoff area.
- 2
  Till the soil and remove bark, sticks, rocks and other debris.
- 3
  Test the soil with a home test kit or take a sample to your local extension office for analysis. Amend the soil as necessary to achieve a pH of 5 to 5.5. Centipede grass is very sensitive to pH. Add a 15-0-15 fertilizer to the soil; 2 lbs. per 1,000 square feet is sufficient. Do not over fertilize your centipede grass lawn.
- 4
  Mix 20 lbs. of dry sand with 1 pound of centipede seed and spread in a criss-cross pattern. Using a cyclone-type seeder, lay the seed east to west, then south to north.
- 5
  Spread straw or mulch over seed, especially on sloped areas to ensure the seed stays in place. The seed is slow to germinate, but should show in 2 to 3 weeks.
- 6
  Water the seed so the top 1/2 inch of soil is always moist. Cut back on watering as seedlings start to grow.

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