Dont fertilize your centipede grass in winter unless a soil test indicates that you should do so. After majoring in Agriculture at Ohio State University, Simons built up extensive experience over his 10+ years in the industry. The linear and hairy leaves are thin, only reaching 1/10 inch wide. Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. It grows roots deep underground to access hard-to-reach moisture and simply goes dormant in the driest of weather. It requires more specific climate and soil requirements. Required fields are marked *. Bermuda grass is a dark green species of grass that thrives in warmer regions of the United States and is often featured on golf courses throughout the region. Centipedegrass is common in golf courses, lawns, and parks. My centipede has a lot of little patches of bermuda and it appears to be spreading. Thats because centipede grass grows on a stolon. However, it requires at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. Theres a good chance you may have to mow more often and work harder to keep the grass from spreading beyond the boundaries of your lawn. If theres existing grass on the land, you can either remove them with the help of a sod cutter or apply herbicide. Unlike centipede grass, which is capable of tolerating moderate amounts of shade, this variety of turf prefers 100% sunlight and requires a minimum of 4 hours of it per day. Dethatching centipede grass will be required due to thatch builds if you apply excess fertilizer. In its early stages, centipede grass becomes vulnerable to weeds. Add actual nitrogen fertilizer to your soil during tilling for the best results. I like to think of myself as the Bond of the backyard, that is if yard work ever became sexy. 309K views 4 years ago Learn about Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, st augustine grass, and centipede grass. However, it resists them moderately after establishing. Here are pictures of Bermuda grass. This is why it is not a choice for people living in the northern regions of America. This means that if your lawn has plenty of trees and shady spots, your Bermuda grass will likely develop dead patches and bare spots. It can survive with little or no fertilizer application, reducing costs, time, and effort. Bermuda grass is a dark green species of grass that thrives in warmer regions of the United States and is often featured on golf courses throughout the region. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases. It is, however, susceptible to colder weather. This grass is native to China and southern Asia. It remains active and throughout the year. Bermuda grass spreads out and is more aggressive than Centipede grass. Centipede does not require much maintenance throughout the year, other than watering and cutting. Its shallow root system plays a role in its vulnerability in this regard. Comparing Centipede Grass vs Bermuda Grass, Best Uses for Centipede Grass and Bermuda Grass, Soil Types and pH Needs of Centipede Grass and Bermuda Grass, Water Needs for Centipede Grass vs Bermuda Grass, Sun, Shade, and Temperature Requirements for Centipede Grass and Bermuda Grass, Durability of Centipede Grass vs Bermuda Grass Lawns, Common Pests and Diseases for Centipede Grass Lawns and Bermuda Grass Lawns, Mowing Needs of Centipede Grass and Bermuda Grass Lawns, Types of Grass Related to Centipede Grass, The Best-Case-Scenario for a Centipede Grass or Bermuda Grass Lawn, A Quick Summary of Centipede Grass vs Bermuda Grass. It holds well and is resistant to high foot traffic, with just about 20 inches of annual rainfall. Nevertheless, given the right conditions, Centipede grass is still a low-maintenance grass you can rely on. However, you can make centipedegrass spread faster by watering and applying fertilizer. These two types of grass arent suitable for every location or care routine, so youll have to choose the best one for your lawn. Read on to find out which grass wins the battle between Celebration vs. TifTuf vs. Here is a summary table of the differences between centipedegrass and bermudagrass. Bermuda Grass vs. Centipede Grass: Growing Requirements. To grow and care for centipede grass, youll need to plant it from seed, sod, or plugs, water it at least 1 inch (2.58 cm) per week, fertilize it once a year and adjust the pH as needed, and keep it short. Which Plants Keep Copperhead Snakes Away? So it grows extremely rapidly and can often take over an area. Found in southern lawns with low-traffic. Bermuda will suffer in areas of low light and needs at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. Growing it in the shade exposes it to premature plant death. Bermuda grass tolerance for heat is exceptional. It should be mowed to heights of 1 to 1 inches. Bermuda grass is incredibly resilient under traffic, and it grows in almost any type of dirt. Dethatch your centipede lawn when the thatch is thicker than inch. Centipede grass does not like high-traffic areas, though. This makes it perfect for people with tight schedules. Regarding water requirements, the grass being tolerant to heat does not equate to being drought resistant. Best Lawn Care Tools for Beginners (What You Need and How to Use Them). Warm climates are ideal for Centipede grass as it is not tolerant to cold at all and should not be exposed to temperatures until 50 F. If exposed to cold or prolonged shade, your Centipede grass will die quickly. Centipede grass is a poor cold-tolerant grass and hence suffers from winter injury in snowy conditions. However, once the grass grows, it takes over your lawn quite quickly. That depends entirely on the area you intend to plant it or lay down sod. A simple method for testing the rainfall levels is to use these Disunie Rain Guages (link to Amazon). Bermudagrass advantages include: Widely adapted Tolerant to a wide variety of growing sites Heat and drought tolerant Aggressive growth Very few pest issues High-quality turfgrass that performs very well Moderate level of maintenance to achieve best results Tall Fescue advantages include: Grows well in shaded areas Celebration Bermudagrass easily stands out from other popular bermuda grasses on the market. Bermudagrass is a fast-spreading sod-forming perennial grass native to Africa but widespread across tropical and subtropical regions. If your grass turns yellow at any time, this is a sign of an iron deficiency in your soil. Just like bermuda grass, it thrives in full sun, but it can tolerate shade a bit better than the bermuda (although . Where these conditions are intense, more watering is needed. Celebration Bermudagrass. Bermuda is the fastest growing grass, but it has a tolerance limit in cold weather. Again, Bermuda grass is a warm-season type of grass. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Centipede grass is a slow-growing grass best suited for sandy soil with shallow roots and high requirements for water. So, you should only apply nitrogen fertilizers once yearly, and you should be careful not to over-fertilize your grass. Although it thrives in USDA zones 7 and 8, centipede grass is a perennial. Turf species all come with pros and cons; Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) Both types of grass can be suitable for your lawn but choose the one that is more suitable for your time, energy, and resources. Bermuda grass also grows aggressively, often becoming difficult to contain around flowerbeds, walkways, or driveways. It grows with just the right amount of watering. Should You Water Your Lawn After Applying Fungicide? When planting centipede grass, the soil should be light and well-aerated. Perennial in Zones 6 to 10. Its invasiveness becomes a problem when it grows in places where its not supposed to be such as walkways and garden beds. It can withstand high levels of heat and even drought conditions. Centipedegrass and Bermudagrass are excellent grasses for southern lawns. Paul has a two-acre yard on red clay soil in Southeast Texas. (Answered!). The runners or stolons lie laterally close to the earth from the parent plant. Grow Your Yard However, there are some notable differences between the two: Bermuda grass can withstand drought, unlike Centipede grass. Bermuda Grass vs. Centipede Grass: 5 Ways They Differ, Pennington Seeds, Available here: https://www.pennington.com/all-products/grass-seed/resources/all-you-need-to-know-about-bermudagrass, North Carolina State University, Available here: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cynodon-dactylon/, Pennington Seeds, Available here: https://www.pennington.com/all-products/grass-seed/resources/all-you-need-to-know-about-centipede-grass, iNaturalist, Available here: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/162425-Eremochloa-ophiuroides. Bermuda is a lush, quick-growing grass that will flourish without a lot of care. It is heat, drought, and high-traffic tolerant but does not like cold weather. Even though centipede grass is significantly finer than Bermuda grass, it is also categorized as a coarse grass. As the cycle continues, new shoots and roots develop at their nodes to form daughter plants. Colder climates are not suggested for centipede grass, as extended freezing or frigid temperatures can severely damage the grass. Bermuda grass grows best in the warm southern United States that dont get colder than 10 F (-12.2 C) in the winter from the Atlantic coast in North Carolina to the Pacific Coast in southern California. This species is mainly grown in the Southeast, in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10 i.e., Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. The roots of centipede grass are shallow, making it difficult for the plant to survive arid conditions with a limited water supply and low water tables. Apply sulfur if soil tests confirm soil pH above 7.2 or add lime if the tests confirm soil pH lower than 5.0. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Andy Gibson. Required fields are marked *. Please verify all form fields again. For the best results, monitor the pH of your lawn and adjust it as necessary. Read More, Bermudagrass Calendar - Bermuda Lawn Maintenance for Beginners. This warm-season species should be mowed to a height of 1 inch. Compared to other species, Centipede grass requires far less attention and input. This turf grass is commonly found on lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields. (As I noted above, your local extension office will be able to provide you with helpful tips on the procedure.). Fertilizer is a critical component in the growth of healthy lawn grass. It is known to bounce back very quickly, even after the kids have spent the whole day playing on it. Centipedes withstand cold above 5 F but will do better under direct sunlight with light shade and at least 40 inches of annual rainfall. However, it also has long rooting rhizomes that help the grass tolerate drought better than centipede grass. Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! The leaf blades of Bermuda are dense, dark green, and fine-textured, forming a beautiful carpet-like appearance when grown on a lawn. It may be propagated by plugs, seed, sprigs, or sod. It loses its productivity and eventually doesnt survive. Wanna learn about more types of grass? Choosing the correct grass can be confusing, but if you get to know your climate and you have assessed your lawn needs, then we can help you figure it out. Another feature of this type is its rough stolons that creep on the surface. We look at similarities between the two, along with their unique attributes. (Answered!). For areas with heavy shade, Elite Tall Fescue may be your best choice. It just takes a little know-how about the differences between the two to pick the perfect grass to make your backyard something to be proud of. Centipede grass needs to be watered frequently for the best results. This is aside from the fact that Bermuda grass grows faster than Centipede grass. In the presence of drought, it will go dormant but will spring to life again as soon as watering or rainfall commences. Centipede grass grows best in southeastern coastal areas in America, where the soil has a sandy texture and acidic pH. If you live in a hot country with little rain, then Centipede grass is a good choice, but if you need a more durable lawn, then Bermuda grass is for you. You can replace a centipede lawn with Bermuda grass, though. In the winter, keep your grass at only 1 inch (2.54 cm) tall to help encourage new growth and keep the grass from getting too dense. If your yard is home to pets, children, or large amounts of foot traffic, bermuda grass may be an excellent grass for you. Thus, controlled watering should be implemented. Written by southernmedia September 30, 2020 Centipede grass can be planted in various ways: via seed, sod, or plugs. It would still do well in partial shade, but 6 hours of full sunlight would bring the best out of it. Additionally, fertilizer can be applied to your lawn before the peak growing season. Just like with other invasive grasses, proper monitoring is required for it to not wreak havoc on your lawn. Centipede grass does have a handful of natural enemies, such as chinch bugs and fungus. Bermuda Grass requires about one to 1.4 inches of water. Centipede grass is less demanding than bermuda in terms of fertilization, but it is also less heat and drought tolerant. Centipedegrass can quickly wear if exposed to high foot traffic or has excess moisture. Bermuda grass is medium to dark green with fine hairs near the base of each leaf sheath. It will begin to enter dormancy at 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius). Because its so hard to choose, having so many different types of grass to choose from. Yellow-green in color, it is renowned for its resistance to heat and salt, making it an ideal choice for oceanfront properties. Bermuda grass, known for its resistance to traffic, grows well in many soil types and drier locations across the southern USA. Bermuda grass is highly heat and drought-tolerant. It is perennial in Zones 6-10 but will grow year-round in warmer climates. They are very water-efficient because they can withstand tropical and subtropical climates without being watered often. Should I Bag My Grass Clippings If I Have Weeds? Centipede grass does not like alkaline soil. However, if you can see your footprints, you need to water your lawn (source). This variety of grass thrives in soil that is mildly acidic to neutral. This grass variety will thrive with just 0.5 inches of water every week. There has been some error while submitting the form. Planting centipede grass involved a fair amount of labor but once its already established, it then only needs little maintenance. Meanwhile, bermudagrass requires high maintenance. To declare a champion in the match of Bermuda Grass vs Centipede Grass, we must look at some important factors. 2. We hope this exploration into these two turf classics has inspired you to give your lawn a refresh using one of these wonderful grasses. It does extremely well with loamy or sandy soil which is mildly acidic. Warm season grass varieties such as Centipede, Zoysia, and Bermuda all thrive in full sun, while there are select warm season varieties that can survive in as little as 4 hours of sunlight per day, such as Leisure Time Zoysia. You can water your grass only if it shows signs of water stress, especially during drought. That being said, they are heat resistant and can thrive in full sunlight. The main difference between centipede grass and St Augustine is that the Centipede grass is slightly smaller and has pointed ends. When necessary, apply less than 2 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 square feet of lawn annually in spring and fall. Different Types of Lawn Mowers Which One is Right for You? St. Augustine grass blades typically range from 8-9 mm in length. Bermuda grass holds up well to heavy use and high traffic. It is also widely used in Kansas and is presently gaining widespread acceptance in Missouri. Ultimately, the best grass for your yard depends upon your soil, shade, and climate. Both types of grass are invasive in nature, so mixing the two will not be efficient. So, how does Centipede and Bermuda grass differ? St Augustine Grass Vs. Centipede Grass. Bermuda grass is also known for its ability to tolerate heavy foot traffic and to recover from damage or stress quickly. So, to test it, you can walk across the grass. I like to think of myself as the Bond of the backyard, that is if yard work ever became sexy. Due to this, centipede grass is ideal for lawns that are low-maintenance and receive little to no traffic. Once this occurs, it should be watered again. Thats why you must choose one that fits your aesthetic, satisfies your needs, and thrives in your location. It will outcompete the centipede grass in nutrient uptake and eventually kill the Centipede grass. Meanwhile, bermudagrass establishes faster and spreads vigorously to cover bare spots, thus outcompeting weeds. That said, it is less shade-tolerant compared to St. Augustine and zoysiagrass but more shade tolerant than Bermuda grass. It spreads by stolons, grows slowly, and is not high-traffic tolerant. If it looks bare or scalped, reset it to the previous height. This is due to the difference in their root system, Bermudas is thick and deep which allows it to store more water over time while Centipede is shallow and thin. But while Bermuda grass and centipede grass share a few commonalities, they have a lot of differences. However, it does need between 1 and 1.25 inches of water every week, depending on the local weather. Lawn Tips & Advice, Straight From The Experts! 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