Centipede grass keeps dying every year in the fall. #450941 - Ask Extension

Knowledgebase

Centipede grass keeps dying every year in the fall. #450941

Asked May 01, 2018, 4:06 PM EDT

We live in Tallahassee, Fl our centipede grass dies in spots every year. We have re-sodded 3 different times. We have a sloped front yard and live in a hollow. We also have trees. We mow with a lawn mower vacuum system to keep leaves off. We fertilize twice a year. Hubby is an insect exterminator so he treats it for grubs worms and spittle bugs. Is there a grass with a stronger endurance to grow in shade and on a downhill slope? Thanks, Linda

Gadsden County Florida

Expert Response

Dear Linda,

Sorry about your dying centipede lawn. How much sun would you say your lawn receives every day? If it’s at least 4-6 hours of direct light, St. Augustine or Zoysia grass would be a better option than centipede. These two grass species have more tolerance to shady conditions. All turf would prefer full sun, but those can handle shady spots best. Another concern when reading the information provided, is that the centipede has been fertilized twice each year. Centipede grass has the lowest annual recommended fertilizer rates and is known to have problems when overfertilized, especially when growing in shadier conditions. When growing any turf in a shady location, it is best to water less, fertilize less, and mow the grass higher.

 

You can find a lot of useful information for growing turf in Florida here - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/features/handbooks/floridalawn.html

 If you continue to have problems, contact the Leon County Extension Office at 850-606-5200.

 Mark

Beth Bolles Replied May 08, 2018, 9:51 AM EDT

Loading ...