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 believed to have originated in China. Copyright 2023 Lawn Model | Powered by [Chris Wheeler, Centipede Grass Vs Bermuda Grass (Comparison, Pros & Cons), Pros and cons for Centipede vs Bermuda grass. It needs a slightly acidic growing medium to develop, cannot handle high traffic, and is hardy in zones 7-10. Bermuda grass prefers nutritious soils of sand or clay with a higher pH compared to those required for centipede lawns. Just like bermuda grass, it thrives in full sun, but it can tolerate shade a bit better than the bermuda (although . Best Pre-emergent Herbicides for Dandelions, Zoysia Grass The Perfect Grass for Florida. Temperatures at or below 65 Fahrenheit (18 Celsius) may trigger dormancy. Which option will provide you with the lawn dreams are made of? Your email address will not be published. Bermuda grass requires more attention than centipede. Centipede grass thrives in hot conditions but needs plenty of water to . Bermuda grass is susceptible to pests and diseases. Centipede grass does not like alkaline soil. Bermuda grass tolerance for heat is exceptional. But Bermuda grass has the greatest reputation for this due to its rapid growth rate. Bermuda grass is also known for its ability to tolerate heavy foot traffic and to recover from damage or stress quickly. All Grass types: Including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass ; Produced In The United States: Lawn Energizer is manufactured in the United States of America, by a family owned business with 25 years of former experience in the commercial professional turf industry. So, let's weigh out the pros and cons: Centipede Grass Pros In contrast, centipede grass has a fairly shallow root system. Keep in mind, however, that centipede grass isn't very tolerant of the cold. Bermuda grass is actually the least shade-tolerant variety of warm-season grass. We examine each of these areas more below. So what should you choose? Bermuda grass is highly heat and drought-tolerant. Not picky about soil types. It also features an alternating pattern unlike St Augustine grass. It needs full sun and soil with good drainage. Centipede grass is a vibrant, light green grass with slim blades and a fine texture. 2. All product reviews and recommendations are made independently by our editorial team and our panel of experts. 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. To keep your centipede grass from getting patchy or leggy, you should keep it short. Your email address will not be published. This grass species is extremely high-maintenance and requires a lot of nutrients. Main Differences Between Bermuda Grass and Centipede Grass, Characteristics, Growing Conditions, and Appearance, Aggression and Invasiveness of Bermuda Grass, Aggression and Invasiveness of Centipede Grass, Centipede Grass vs Bermuda Grass Comparison Chart. Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) and centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) are warm-weather grasses that do not tolerate the cold. The choice between this type of grass depends on how fast you want your lawn to grow. Additionally, it isnt very tolerant of cold weather, so its best grown in a warmer climate. If your grass is thick, the leaf blades are dark green and thin, and have invasive runners, that could be Bermudagrass. The grass should be watered deeply with 4 to 6 inches to prevent desiccation during winter. Centipedegrass requires little or no nitrogen fertilizer application. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Easily confused with crabgrass. Centipede grass grows best in southeastern coastal areas in America, where the soil has a sandy texture and acidic pH. High-traffic lawns need a particular type of grass that can withstand it. Wanna learn about more types of grass? Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. More frequent watering should be three-quarter inches of water into the soil after every three or four days. Centipedegrass thrives in sandy, acidic soil of pH 5.0 to 6.0. Centipede grass is easy to grow and care for, and the most challenging part of the process is usually ensuring it has enough water. Well, relatively, yes. Centipede vs. Bermuda grass: which is better? Centipedegrass is common in golf courses, lawns, and parks. Here Are The Facts. 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. These two types of grass arent suitable for every location or care routine, so youll have to choose the best one for your lawn. Its not suitable for cold climatic conditions that go below 10 F. The best way to overseed centipede grass is by St. Augustine ( since it has a similar color, mowing height, and is best for shade), Dwarf Fescue, and Annual Ryegrass (both remain green in winter). Centipedegrass and Bermudagrass are excellent grasses for southern lawns. However, if you live in an area with high humidity and plenty of rainfall, you can water slightly less. Bermuda grass tolerates heavy use, whereas centipede grass holds up best under light use. Centipede grass and bermuda grass grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10. Bermuda grass is medium to dark green with fine hairs near the base of each leaf sheath. This grass arrived in the southern United States in the early 1900s. At the end of the day, its not about which is better but rather which is better for you in particular. Its performance drops in colder climates and goes dormant in extremely low temperatures like during winter. Invasive weeds such as dandelion, chickweed, clovers, and henbit are common, whereas Bermuda is the desired turf. When planting centipede grass, the soil should be light and well-aerated. Fertilizer is a critical component in the growth of healthy lawn grass. Usually, your centipede grass needs 1 inch (2.58 cm) of water every week once its healthy and green. One advantage of Bermuda grass is that it can be cut short. As you can see, there are some strong similarities between these grasses, but there are also some key differences that make them suitable for different situations. That said, if youre using it to replace your current lawn grass, you may need to take some extra steps to prepare the soil. You can water your grass only if it shows signs of water stress, especially during drought. Bermuda grass is extremely drought-resistant and can survive hot weather in summer without water, while St. Augustine grass will require a lot of water to grow and stay healthy. This thrives in full sun. 10 Best Annual Flowers For Florida Gardens, The 10 Best Perennial Vegetables That Come Back Every Year. It spreads easily via seeds and stolons and forms a thick mat of grass across the lawn. Despite their similar outdoor landscaping use, they give different touches depending on their color, densities, and maintenance level. Once planted, this thick-bladed, lush green grass takes solid root and spreads easily, covering a large landscape evenly with ease. Bermudagrass needs full sun to thrive and doesnt withstand shade. It also doesn't need to be watered every day. Here Are The Facts. Yes, it can withstand heat and dryness, but it doesnt mean that if you dont need to water it. Centipedegrass spreads above the ground through stolons and forms a dense turf. But thats not the case with centipede grass because it doesnt have a period of dormancy. Additionally, it can survive in almost any soil conditions, provided there is full sun. Grow Your Yard is reader-supported. Centipede grass needs to be watered frequently for the best results. (Your nearest extension office will be able to provide a testing kit and instructions on how to enhance your soils acidity if needed.). LawnModel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Large patches and spot diseases are also rampant. Its extensive and deep roots provide a second avenue of growth via its rhizomes. Bermuda grass is a medium to dark green grass with broad, coarse blades. In our third edition of our Turf Wars series, bermuda scores an overall 7/10 including the ties, zoysia finishes with a score of 8/10, and zoysia grass wins the war between turfs. It flourishes in places where the winters dont get colder than 5 F (-15 C) and in areas that get at least 40 inches (101.6 cm) of rainfall annually. Bermuda can be grown using seed, sprigs, or sod. L'herbe Zoysia est une excellente option pour de nombreux propritaires car elle peut tolrer un large ventail de types de sols. If youre replacing another type of grass with centipede grass, be sure to kill all of the existing grass with weed killer or cover it with tarps for two to four weeks. It is perennial in Zones 6-10 but will grow year-round in warmer climates. Check to see if it is low growing too. Centipede grows rather slowly and prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. Its also low maintenance and is noted for its coarse appearance. Where the rainfall is below 20 inches, irrigation can be introduced to supplement it. This means that if you hate watering your lawn or live somewhere where the humidity is low, Bermuda grass is an ideal choice for your yard. Like centipede grass, it is also suited to hardiness zones 7 to 10. In the winter, you can cut your grass a bit shorter, especially if your grass is turning brown. However, it also has long rooting rhizomes that help the grass tolerate drought better than centipede grass. Dethatch your centipede lawn when the thatch is thicker than inch. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages that may or may not be applicable to your situation. Bermuda Grass & Centipede Grass. It is perennial in Zones 6-10 but will grow year-round in warmer climates. Therefore, it is less than ideal for very shady areas or yards. If your grass turns yellow at any time, this is a sign of an iron deficiency in your soil. The type of grass you choose depends on your location and the use of your lawn. A simple method for testing the rainfall levels is to use these Disunie Rain Guages (link to Amazon). To plant plugs, place them in the ground 1 foot (0.3 m) apart, then water them. Either way, youll have to ensure that the grass gets at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) of moisture every week. This is why they are perfect for dry seasons. Centipede grass needs plenty of water to thrive. When not glued to the computer screen, she loves hanging out with her kids, working in her garden, and crafting crazy culinary delights. Bermudagrass has above-ground runners(stolons), spreading fast on the lawn. Growing it in the shade exposes it to premature plant death. Bermuda grass grows dense and thick through summer or late spring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, in areas where these grasses are not considered invasive, Bermuda grass makes an excellent addition to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and other public spaces. Found in southern lawns with low-traffic. It should then be left until its leaves start to curl and footprints become more pronounced on the turf. Read More . After majoring in Agriculture at Ohio State University, Simons built up extensive experience over his 10+ years in the industry. Yellow-green in color, it is renowned for its resistance to heat and salt, making it an ideal choice for oceanfront properties. Main Differences Between Bermuda Grass and Centipede Grass Bermuda grass can tolerate high foot traffic while Centipede grass can't. Centipede grass can experience an iron deficiency in alkaline soil while Bermuda can tolerate growing in extreme soil conditions such as high pH and salinity. In its early stages, centipede grass becomes vulnerable to weeds. Otherwise, irrigate it with 1 inch weekly when actively growing. You might have seen some of your neighbours use Bermuda grass on their lawn and got mesmerized. Bermuda grass is not native to the United States. Meanwhile, Bermuda needs a soil temperature of 80oF to grow actively to produce a dense and lush lawn. This grass can be used as turf or forage. Bermudagrass has high fertilizer requirements. Please read our affiliatesdisclosurepage to find out more. Its prime soil conditions are high in potassium and iron yet low in phosphorus. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Eremochloa ophiuroides (a.k.a. This grass is slow-growing but low maintenance, requiring half the amount of water per week as many of its competitors. Turf species all come with pros and cons; Bermuda grass (Cynodon spp.) Furthermore, the grass will serve you longer. This drought-tolerant grass can grow in dry or humid states, making it very versatile. In order to save money, time, and effort, it can survive with little to no fertilizer application. Bermuda Grass VS Centipede Grass. Are Natural Lawn Fertilizers Safe for Pets? Thats why you must choose one that fits your aesthetic, satisfies your needs, and thrives in your location. It is a relatively easy grass to grow, needing ample sunlight, water, and moderate fertilization. If youre in a state that has extreme cold or wet seasons, you should remember to not sow during those times. While the exact dates are uncertain, it is said to have been brought to the US in the 1800s. Centipede grass is a poor cold-tolerant grass and hence suffers from winter injury in snowy conditions. Doing so will help your centipedegrass sprout faster. Can You Mulch Centipede Grass? Centipede grass is a slow grower, while Bermuda will quickly grow and choke out it (centipede) if left uncontrolled. It can withstand high levels of heat and even drought conditions. Its shallow root system plays a role in its vulnerability in this regard. In addition, centipedegrass can handle partial shade but still needs plenty of sun exposure daily to flourish. Bermuda grass is high maintenance, and it needs frequent mowing. Meanwhile, bermudagrass requires high maintenance. What are the pros and cons of centipede grass? Bermuda grass is resilient, which means that it doesnt have too many pressing needs other than mowing and keeping it trimmed back. Its slow growth means the grass takes a long time to regenerate after heavy use. You need 1 to 1.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet on high-maintenance Bermudagrass lawns and 0.5 pounds per 1000 square feet on low-maintenance Bermudagrass lawns. During summer, you should provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to keep it from drying. Insects such as ground pearl, mole crickets, spittlebugs, and white grubs are common to centipede grass lawns. While centipede grass has a lighter color and decent texture, Bermuda is coarser and darker . That said, it is less shade-tolerant compared to St. Augustine and zoysiagrass but more shade tolerant than Bermuda grass. Yes, that is correct, Bermuda grassroots are designed to absorb retain water for a long time. This article may include affiliate links to Amazon or other partner websites where we may earn a small commission on purchases made. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Once this occurs, it should be watered again. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Best Pre-Emergent Weed Killer For Bermuda | When & How To Apply, 8 Best Fertilizer For Bermuda Grass | How And When To Apply It, Mildly acidic, neutral clay or sandy soil, High(80 95 Fahrenheit(27- 35 Celsius)), High (75 100 Fahrenheit(24 38 Celsius)), Medium (Weekly watering, frequent mowing required). So, which grass type suits your lawn depends on your current situation and preferences. Centipede and Bermuda grass are two common turfs that can become stunning lawns in the right circumstances. Both types of grass are invasive in nature, so mixing the two will not be efficient. Additionally, it holds up well to heavy use. Hypothetically, if you mix them in your lawn and leave them unmaintained, Bermuda grass will definitely overtake the lawn. These short, stubby roots are also not ideal for hilly lawns since they wont fight soil erosion. The form has been submitted successfully! While this grass may be slightly thirstier than others, Bermuda grass is a pretty hardy turf. So if you live in colder environments, you may need to select another species. Watering depends on the turf used and climatic conditions such as temperature, light intensity, humidity, and winds. So, centipede grass flourishes in humid coastal states like South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, and other areas near the coast (source). Both are great grass options and are easy to care for. But they grow up to 6 inches long. Generally, to keep things growing nicely, you should mow your grass to 1.5 to 2 inches (3.81 to 5.08 cm) tall in the warm spring, summer, and early fall months. St Augustine grass is thicker with large, flat stems. Although both centipede and Bermuda grass have many things in common, they have some essential differences that may make one a better choice for your lawn than the other. Centipedegrass is slow-growing and doesnt establish quickly in the lawn, thus allowing weeds to grow faster and set in the yard. I write about everything about lawn care and gardening and the dread-it-but-still-need-to-do-it chores around the yard, like cleaning out the gutter guards. The position of the Hallucigenia's head puzzled scientists for several years. Bermuda grass just couldnt handle extremely cold climates. Bermuda grass is incredibly resilient under traffic, and it grows in almost any type of dirt. It needs more water than many other species. How can I identify if I have centipede grass? So, now that we are a little more acquainted with each of these grass varieties, what are the core differences? Shade can make it more susceptible to pests and disease by impacting the grass energy production. Additionally, it cannot survive in alkaline soil. Additionally, it can survive in almost any soil conditions, provided there is full sun. You need to consider your gardens temperature, rainfall, and light conditions to pick a grass that will thrive in your environment. Err towards the higher measurement if your soil is mainly sandy and loose. Here are pictures of Centipede grass, Here is a video guide to identify and differentiate between Bermuda and Centipede grass. 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Ideal for very shady areas or yards lawns in the 1800s types grass! Trimmed Back dreams are made of seeds and stolons and forms a dense turf ground 1 foot ( m!