Can I Lay Centipede Sod in October?

Sod Laying Time Frame

• Centipede grass sod establishes most quickly during the warmth of mid-spring through late summer. Warm soil and air accompanied by evenly moist soil encourages fastest growth of roots from sod into the topsoil. The best time to lay centipede grass sod is from April to September, but delaying into October is still acceptable. The ensuing root growth and appearance of new green leaves diminishes slowly across the fall months until the lawn becomes dormant by early winter.

Regional Considerations

• Because of its limited tolerance to winter cold, it's best to avoid sodding with centipede grass past September in USDA zone 7b and cooler parts of Zone 8a. However, the warm, mild fall months in Zones 8b and warmer allow sodding to continue into November and early December. If the sod is laid in October, and temperatures cool to induce grass dormancy, extra care is needed to ensure no cool-season weeds infiltrate the sod, and the grass roots do not desiccate over the first winter.

October Sod Establishment

• Remove all weeds from the area to be sodded with centipede grass in October. Rake the area smooth and wet the soil surface. Place segments of cut sod atop the soil, alternating seams to resemble a running bond of bricks. Apply 1/4 inch of irrigation daily to keep the sod and soil evenly moist until a gently pull of the sod reveals the roots have clasped and penetrated into the soil. Do not fertilize the sod in autumn.

Fall Care

• Although the centipede sod laid in October begins to lose its green color as fall transitions into early winter, monitor the soil to prevent an overly dry soil. Supplement natural rainfall so 1/2 inch of moisture reaches the sod's roots every two weeks. Once the centipede lawn becomes nearly all beige in color, irrigate only after extended warm or windy weather in winter and early spring. This small amount of moisture ensures the dormant, but living, roots do not dry out and die before spring warmth returns and the centipede lawn greens up again.