bermuda grass vs centipede grass
These shallow, climbing roots rarely grow deep enough to get water from the lower layers of soil on your lawn. If the pH is too high, as is usually the case in the areas where this grass grows best, you can apply 5 lbs (2.27 kg) of pelletized sulfur per 1,000 square feet (92 square meters) to lower it. Ill get to the roots of these warm-season grasses to help you green out your lawn. It is known to bounce back very quickly, even after the kids have spent the whole day playing on it. It is capable of recovering promptly from wear and tear caused by foot traffic. This makes it perfect for people with tight schedules. Also, you should maintain a soil pH of 5.0 to 6.0 to maximize nutrient absorption with centipede grass. So, you should only apply nitrogen fertilizers once yearly, and you should be careful not to over-fertilize your grass. Bermuda grass is highly heat and drought-tolerant. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) are warm-weather grasses that do not tolerate the cold. So, if you regularly get snow and frost in your area, centipede grass is probably not the best option for you. This article may include affiliate links to Amazon or other partner websites where we may earn a small commission on purchases made. Your email address will not be published. However, it does need between 1 and 1.25 inches of water every week, depending on the local weather. Its a perennial grass that is commonly found in the warm regions, i.e., the southern parts of America. Which begs the question: Bermuda vs centipede grass? The Big Freeze! Bermuda Grass vs. Centipede Grass: Growing Requirements. Dethatch your centipede lawn when the thatch is thicker than inch. It is not only drought and heat-tolerant, but it can also withstand heavy traffic. You can keep it as short as 1 inch not only to give off that clean look but to also prevent the grass from over-spreading. Common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is the most pervasive species. Read on to find out which grass wins the battle between Celebration vs. TifTuf vs. You can broadcast or throw a bunch of them on different portions of the soon-to-be lawn, or you can use seed spreaders. Although, according to Oregon State University, it thrives best at a temperature range of 75 95 Fahrenheit (24 35 Celsius), this variety of turf can also do very well at 100 Fahrenheit. All you have to do is stake them in the ground and allow them to measure the rain. 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. Centipede grass is also one of the homeowners favorites mainly because of low maintenance. Theres a lot of choices out there. Andy Gibson. It is actually listed as an invasive grass in Puerto Rico! Lawn and Petal is your source for regularly updated, easy-to-understand information on how to obtain a weed-free lawn. Bermuda requires little attention, whereas centipede grass requires little. Required fields are marked *. The main question of homeowners that are planning to have a lawn: What grass should I use? Centipedegrass requires little or no nitrogen fertilizer application. Bermudagrass is better if you want a thicker, dark green lawn that is more attractive. Additionally, it can survive in almost any soil conditions, provided there is full sun. It will begin to enter dormancy at 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius). And Centipede is the slowest growing grass that has low, moderate tolerance to cold weather. It can survive with little or no fertilizer application, reducing costs, time, and effort. However, salt sprays and a lack of iron in the soil can cause centipede grass to suffer stress. Bermuda grass is a medium to dark green grass with broad, coarse blades. During the hot summer months, and when it is getting cooler in the fall, increase the mowing height by 1/4 to 1/2 inch, which helps to protect the grass. When youre deciding what grass to create your lawn with, there are two main things to consider: traffic and climate. In fact, the need for well-draining soil is one reason centipede is prevalent in areas that have sandy or loose soil. (As I noted above, your local extension office will be able to provide you with helpful tips on the procedure.). Different Types of Lawn Aerators Explained Holy Lawns, Batman! Read More, Bermudagrass Calendar - Bermuda Lawn Maintenance for Beginners. It should be provided with 6 inches of water to drench the entire root system. For the best results, monitor the pH of your lawn and adjust it as necessary. Here are pictures of Bermuda grass. Because of its deep fibrous roots can tolerate scorching and dry conditions, thus the most drought-tolerant warm-season grass. They are coarser to the touch and slightly shorter, growing up to 5 inches long. Watering depends on the turf used and climatic conditions such as temperature, light intensity, humidity, and winds. Seeding should be done in spring because its the season when it actively grows. It is common in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. Bermuda grass is high maintenance, and it needs frequent mowing. Centipedegrass is prone to weeds when young, while bermudagrass resists weeds. 2. However, a centipede lawn would be an excellent choice if you want a low-maintenance lawn; that needs less time, money, and effort to maintain. Neither of these grasses is suitable for cold climates, but centipede grass is more tolerant of the cold. According to Clemson University, you should dethatch once the thatch layer reaches inch thick. It grows roots deep underground to access hard-to-reach moisture and simply goes dormant in the driest of weather. The runners or stolons lie laterally close to the earth from the parent plant. It should be mowed to heights of 1 to 1 inches. Bermudagrass thrives in well-drained fertile soils of pH 6.5 to 8.0. Meanwhile, bermudagrass establishes faster and spreads vigorously to cover bare spots, thus outcompeting weeds. While this grass may be slightly thirstier than others, Bermuda grass is a pretty hardy turf. Since it can also propagate through seeds, it found its way to the US as early as 1916. Boise, ID 83702 US. Subsequently, it will not grow well in shady areas. These include the level of soil acidity required for each species, their cold tolerance, and their ability to recover from stress. Should you go with centipede or bermuda? Happy gardening! Therefore, it is less than ideal for very shady areas or yards. Stolons grow parallel to the surface and thats where the leaves start to grow. Bermuda lawns are popular in Americas Southern states. However, they have distinct leaf structures, tolerance to lawn problems, appearance, etc. Centipede grass is a slow-growing grass best suited for sandy soil with shallow roots and high requirements for water. It should be provided with 6 inches of water following which it should be left until its leaves start to curl and footprints become more pronounced on the turf. Therefore, the regions it grows in are limited. However, it doesnt recover quickly from injuries or high foot traffic. Compared to other species, Centipede grass requires far less attention and input. Centipede grass is best for areas with sandy soil, warm region, and humid and rainy parts of the Southeastern United States with pH levels between 4.5 and 6.0. Centipede grass is a slow grower, while Bermuda will quickly grow and choke out it (centipede) if left uncontrolled. Otherwise, irrigate it with 1 inch weekly when actively growing. Centipede grass requires less maintenance and grows in sandy soil, while Bermuda grass grows quickly, which may mean more mowing for you. So, keeping the topsoil moist is critical for growing centipede grass. It can take one to two weeks for Bermuda grass seeds to germinate, so you will have to be patient. Bermuda grass is a perennial warm-season grass that grows well in soils with a pH of between 5.8 to 7.0, and it isnt too picky about the makeup of the dirt. These two types of grass arent suitable for every location or care routine, so youll have to choose the best one for your lawn. St. Augustine Grass, Centipede Grass / By Joe Bethel. Bermuda grass also grows aggressively, often becoming difficult to contain around flowerbeds, walkways, or driveways. Its best to fertilize your Bermuda grass with actual nitrogen twice a year in the growing season during spring and late summer. 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. Here are the pros and cons of centipede grass: Here are the pros and cons of Bermuda grass: Centipede and Bermuda are excellent turfs for warm climates, but your choice depends on the appearance you want, the maintenance level, and the durability of the grass. It remains active and throughout the year. But they grow up to 6 inches long. Keep in mind, however, that centipede grass isn't very tolerant of the cold. Additionally, it isnt very tolerant of cold weather, so its best grown in a warmer climate. This drought-tolerant grass can grow in dry or humid states, making it very versatile. Centipede grass is also considered a coarse grass type, but it's still much finer than Bermuda grass. So, centipede grass flourishes in humid coastal states like South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and other areas near the coast (source). The grass is such a vital part of the lawn because it dictates whether the lawn looks beautiful or not, or if the owner takes care of the lawn properly. During summer, you should provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to keep it from drying. I write about everything about indoor and outdoor gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the yard, like cleaning out the gutter guards. If your grass gets full sun evenly across your lawn, you can aim for the shorter side of the spectrum, but grass that grows in the shade should be closer to 2 inches (5.08 cm) tall. Another feature of this type is its rough stolons that creep on the surface. However, the blades can reach up to 6 inches in length. 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