Grow Thicker Centipede Grass With Experts' Tips

Having a lush, thick lawn of centipede grass not only looks fantastic, but feels great underfoot and enhances your entire landscape. Many homeowners, however, struggle with getting their centipede grass to grow in as dense and full as desired. The good news is that with the proper lawn care practices targeted specifically for centipede grass, you can enjoy a thicker, healthier stand of this attractive warm season grass.

We'll explore specific ways to make your centipede grass thicker and fuller, from soil preparation to mowing and fertilizing best practices. Read on to give your centipede the care it needs to transform into the lush lawn you've always wanted.

Aerate Soil for Improved Drainage

Centipede grass thrives when grown in loamy, well-drained soil. This warm season grass variety develops deep roots and does best when good drainage exists and oxygen can easily reach the roots. However, over time, foot traffic, mowing equipment, and lack of earthworm activity can lead to soil compaction in established lawns.

Compacted soil prevents proper drainage and oxygen flow to the roots, resulting in thinner, weaker turfgrass growth. That's why aeration is such an important practice for improving the health and thickness of centipede grass.

Improve Soil Drainage and Oxygen Flow

Aeration involves using a core aerator to punch holes down through the compacted surface layer into the soil profile. This helps loosen compacted soils, improves drainage, and allows essential oxygen to make its way down to the grass roots more readily.

The improved drainage and soil oxygen levels promote deeper root growth. And since centipede grass has a deep root system when grown in optimal conditions, aerating helps the roots reach their full depth and density potential.

Recommended Aeration Schedule

For centipede lawns struggling with compaction, core aerate once per year in early spring or fall when the grass is actively growing. This stimulates new growth and recovery.

Aerating in early summer can also provide benefits by relieving soil compaction and improving access to water during the hot months. Just avoid aerating during the stressful heat of mid-summer or when the lawn is dormant.

Overall, a yearly core aeration session is ideal for supporting the vigorous root system centipede grass needs to establish a thicker, denser lawn.

Apply Organic Matter to Enrich Soil

Centipede grass grows well in low fertility soils and does not require heavy fertilization. However, incorporating some supplemental organic matter into the soil can provide an excellent boost of nutrients and organic content to support thicker, lusher grass growth.

Compost and Manure Add Nutrients

Adding compost, well-rotted manure, or other organic soil amendments provides nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that enhance centipede grass growth and vigor.

While not usually necessary for basic centipede grass health, the extra nutrients give the roots some additional support to grow to their fullest density and size.

Improved Soil Structure

In addition to nutrients, organic matter additions like compost or manure improve overall soil structure. The organic content helps bind soil particles into a better texture with increased space for air and water movement.

This improved soil structure further encourages the expansion of the fibrous root system. And developing a dense mat of roots will translate to thicker blade growth and density in your centipede grass stand above ground.

Application Timing and Rate

To incorporate organic matter, spread a 1/4 to 1/2 inch layer over the lawn and use a rake to lightly work it into the top few inches of soil. This can be done in early spring or fall when temperatures remain warm enough for microbial activity to break down the organic matter.

Ideally, supplement your centipede lawn with organic matter on a routine basis every 2-3 years. This will steadily enhance the soil environment for excellent centipede grass growth.

Overseed Sparingly to Fill Bare Spots

If your centipede lawn has any thin or bare patches, overseeding can help fill them in with lush new grass. However, restraint is needed with overseeding centipede grass or it can end up causing more harm than good.

Use Centipede Grass Seed Cautiously

When overseeding, always use seed that matches the same variety of centipede grass you already have established. This ensures uniform growth and texture across the lawn.

While it may be tempting to heavily seed all bare areas, this can lead to problems. Too much seed causes excessive competition between young grass plants for resources like light, water and nutrients.

Overseed Judiciously

Instead, overseed judiciously, using just enough seed to fill in the thinnest areas. Follow proper seeding techniques for good seed-to-soil contact and supportive growing conditions after planting.

With a careful, targeted seeding approach, the new grass will mature well with reduced competition and you'll enjoy a fuller, thicker lawn.

Control Thatch Buildup

Letting thatch build up in your centipede lawn can create major problems for growth and thickness. That's why monitoring and managing thatch accumulation through regular removal is so important.

What is Thatch?

Thatch is a tightly intermingled layer of organic debris like fallen grass stems, leaves and roots that accumulates between the soil surface and green vegetation. A small amount of thatch is normal, but too much causes issues.

Thatch Suffocates Roots

Excess thatch physically blocks water, nutrients and air from reaching the soil and grass roots. It also harbors disease organisms and insect pests while creating conditions ideal for weed seed germination.

Suffocated by too much thatch, the grass roots can't grow and establish properly, resulting in thinner, weaker turf.

Regular Removal is Key

To maintain a centipede lawn of optimal density and lushness, dethatch in early spring before green-up using a steel rake, dethatching rake or mechanical power rake. Remove debris and inspect root depth.

Aim to keep thatch under 1/2 inch thickness. By preventing excessive thatch accumulation through regular removal, your centipede roots will thrive and support thicker growth.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

Proper irrigation practices are absolutely essential for growing thick, healthy centipede grass. Centipede lawns need approximately 1 inch of water per week from either rainfall or supplemental watering.

Avoid Frequent, Light Watering

Many homeowners make the mistake of watering their lawn frequently but only lightly. This leads to short, shallow roots because the grass only develops enough roots to tap into the shallow moisture.

Shallow roots dry out quickly and can't support sustained growth. This results in thinner grass that struggles to recover from drought.

Encourage Deep Root Growth

Instead, water your centipede grass thoroughly but infrequently. Apply about 1 inch of water per week, but divide it into fewer, heavier watering sessions. This will encourage deeper rooting for thicker grass growth.

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation losses. And monitor rainfall so you know when supplemental water is actually needed.

Proper irrigation supports deep, extensive centipede grass root systems and thicker, denser turfgrass stands.

Fertilize Appropriately with Nitrogen

While centipede grass has only moderate fertility requirements, applying nitrogen at the right times is key for encouraging lush growth. But be careful, as excessive nitrogen can actually damage centipede lawns.

Apply Nitrogen During Growing Season

Time nitrogen fertilizer applications for the active growing season, generally early summer through early fall. This is when the grass can best use the nitrogen to fuel growth and build density.

Use 1 to 2 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet annually, divided into 3 smaller applications from spring green-up through early fall.

Too Much Nitrogen is Problematic

Avoid applying too much nitrogen or fertilizing outside the main growing season. This stresses the grass and causes excessive top growth at the expense of root development.

With improper nitrogen management, your centipede lawn could decline into weaker, thinner growth with disease issues.

Stick with moderate fertilization targeted for peak growing periods and your centipede stand will fill in thicker and fuller.

Mow at Proper Height

Mowing height is one of the most important factors for encouraging dense, vigorous centipede grass growth. The proper mowing practices will support a thick lawn, while errors can seriously thin out centipede grass.

Raise Mowing Height

Centipede grass should be mowed at height of 1 to 1.5 inches. This is considerably taller than many other grass species. Attempting to mow centipede too short will scalp and damage the grass.

Mowing at the proper height allows the blades to photosynthesize maximally to support growth. It also promotes deeper roots due to more abundant leaf surface area.

Mow Less Frequently

In addition to mowing high, also mow less often. Mowing centipede grass every 10-14 days is ideal. Letting it grow taller in between mowing encourages deep roots and thicker grass.

Sharp mower blades are also key to prevent tearing and shredding of grass blades with each pass.

When managed with the optimal mowing height and frequency, your centipede lawn will fill in thicker and fuller.

Control Weeds Properly

Weed problems go hand in hand with thin, sparse centipede grass growth. That's because weeds compete directly with the grass for water, sunlight and soil nutrients.

Use Selective Herbicides

Applying selective pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides provides effective control with minimal injury to desired centipede grass. Timing application properly is key for best results.

Combining pre-emergent herbicides to prevent new weeds with spot treatments for existing weeds keeps populations low with limited grass damage.

Manual Weed Removal

For minor weed infestations, carefully hand pull weeds or use a specially designed weed removal tool. This allows removing weeds intact with roots to prevent regrowth.

Catch weeds early before they establish, and don't allow them to set seed. Your centipede grass will fill back into bare areas after weeds are eliminated.

Consistent weed control through proper chemical and manual methods reduces competition with centipede grass so it can reach maximum density and thickness.

Adjust Soil pH if Needed

While adapted to grow across a range of soil pH levels, centipede grass still prefers slightly acidic soil for optimal health. Monitoring and amending your lawn's pH can ensure proper nutrient availability.

Test Soil pH Annually

Use an inexpensive soil test kit or send samples to your local extension office for analysis. This will reveal your current pH and recommend any adjustments needed.

Test soil pH at least once per year. Changes in pH occur over time based on fertilizers, water chemistry and microbial activity in the soil.

Target Slightly Acidic pH Level

If soil pH creeps out of the preferred 5.5 to 6.5 range, take corrective action through liming or sulfur application. Applying lime will raise pH in acidic soils. Sulfur reduces pH in alkaline soils.

Getting your soil pH in the correct range ensures nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are available and the grass can take up what it needs for vigorous growth and thickness.

From proper mowing and watering practices to fertilization and pH control, tailoring your lawn maintenance routines specifically for centipede grass success is crucial. By implementing these research-backed tips above, you'll be rewarded with a stunning centipede lawn that grows in thicker and fuller than ever before.

Pay close attention to the condition of your centipede turf and how it responds to your care. Adjust your practices as needed over time. A healthy centipede lawn starts from the soil up. Supporting your grass' root system and growth requirements will transform your yard into a lush grass oasis in no time.