The first day of fall is approaching and with the changing of the seasons also comes the changing of temperatures, weather and soil conditions. It’s important that your centipede lawn undergoes the proper maintenance during this time of year as it transitions from hot summer temperatures to cooler winter ones. Read on for a list of generic tips to help your centipede lawn transition into the colder months ahead.
Be sure to also check out our Homeowner Maintenance Guides for generic centipede and Santee® Centipede. If you’re looking for maintenance tips for a different type of grass, take a look at our Fall Lawn Maintenance Tips article.
Want us to do some fall lawn care for you?
If so, check out the Lawnifi Complete Program! The Lawnifi Complete Program is a year-round subscription for seasonal lawn care delivered to your door. Our boxes include everything your lawn needs in one lawn care subscription. Products are curated by our turfgrass experts for each active growing season. Delivered spring, summer and fall. Lawnifi is also introducing the Fall Complete Lawn Bundle to provide all the essentials your lawn needs for the fall season.
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- 1. Reduce Mowing for Deeper Roots
- 2. Water Less as Temperatures Drop
- 3. Fertilize Your Lawn with the Right Nutrients
- 4. Control Weeds with Pre- or Post-Emergent Herbicide
- 5. Keep an Eye Out for Insect Invasions
- 6. Prevent Disease Outbreaks as Temperatures Change
1. Reduce Mowing for Deeper Roots
Centipede grass is generally mowed at a height between 1.5–2 inches in height. During the fall, however, you should maintain a height that’s slightly higher than that of the summer.
This encourages deeper root growth so that your grass survives during winter dormancy in the cooler months. This sets your grass up for survival during its dormancy period as the roots are what keep the grass alive underground while the blades above ground endure harsh temperatures.
2. Water Less as Temperatures Drop
In the fall, reduce watering for centipede grass as temperatures drop to prevent disease. Centipede grass needs about 1 inch of water weekly, including rainfall, but less in the fall due to the risk of fungus, especially with overwatering and shaded areas from fallen leaves.
Continue light watering to prevent drought stress and dehydration during dormancy. Watering in the early morning reduces the risk of disease.
3. Fertilize Your Lawn with the Right Nutrients
Fertilization differs this time of the year compared to the other active growing seasons (spring and summer). As previously stated, outdoor temperatures are starting to change—so are soil conditions. Your grass is a living thing that needs specific nutrients at this time. Depending on the area you live in, your centipede grass will likely enter a state of dormancy.
What is the best fertilizer for centipede grass in the fall?
Sod University recommends two different fertilizer options for the fall, however, you will only need to use one of the two options for fall fertilization.
Option 1: The Fall Fertilizer Box, in particular, has three separate bottles of fertilizer in it that help your lawn recover from the hot summer temperatures it just endured as well as prepare for the colder temperatures ahead.
Option 2: Lawnifi Foundation is a slow-release granular fertilizer option that comes in a 25 pound bag and lasts for three months. With a 29-0-5 NPK formulation, Lawnifi Foundation is the perfect granular fertilizer for lawns and gardens.
The two percent iron included in Lawnifi Foundation’s mixture helps plants carry oxygen throughout the leaves, roots and other parts of the plants to promote a green, healthy lawn.
4. Control Weeds with Pre- and Post-Emergent Herbicides
As temperatures cool, you can safely apply both post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides to your centipede lawn. Summer weeds may be dying off, but winter weeds will soon appear. Apply a pre-emergent in the fall to prevent them.
Post-emergent herbicides control existing weeds, while pre-emergent herbicides prevent new ones. Fall is the best time for pre-emergent application, especially if winter weeds have been an issue before. You can also apply it in spring around March or April.
Read product labels before application.
5. Keep an Eye Out for Insect Infestations
Applying a preventative insecticide is more effective and likely cheaper than treating an infestation. Use a broad-spectrum insecticide to protect your centipede lawn from pests, particularly grub worms.
Sod webworms, fall armyworms, and mole crickets can also be issues. Treat any insect activity with an appropriate insecticide, and always read labels thoroughly. For granular insecticides, water the lawn immediately after application for better absorption.
Visit our Insect Identification blog for more details.
Read product labels before application.
6. Prevent Disease Outbreaks as Temperatures Change
Apply a systemic fungicide at preventative rates around early fall to keep disease outbreaks at bay and help your grass stay healthy through colder months. If you've had past issues, multiple applications may be needed. For spring disease problems, use higher rates.
For granular fungicides, water the lawn immediately after application to aid absorption. Always read product labels thoroughly.
Common diseases include large patch.
Tip: Remove dead leaves regularly to prevent shaded, moist spots that damage the grass. Rake weekly, especially if you have many trees.
Read product labels before application.
Lastly, lawn patch work and light topdressing with a sand and topsoil mix is a great way to recover any weak areas in your lawn that were caused by the summer heat. If you notice any hot spots, apply a light layer of topdressing to help it recover.
