No matter what type of grass you want to plant on your lawn, there are two main types of grasses that people love to use in their lawns: carpet grass and centipede grass. But which one do you choose?
There are many considerations to consider when choosing between these two, but here’s a quick overview of each one and what they’re best used for.
Carpet Grass vs Centipede Grass
Which Is Right for You? – While countless types of grasses are available, most homeowners think of two main categories: centipede grass and carpet grass. There are many considerations when choosing which type to plant; here’s a look at what sets each apart so you can make an informed decision on your landscape project.
As we’ll explore below, each variety has its pros and cons, so it’s important to do your research before committing to one option. Read on for a closer look at their key distinctions; once you have all that information, you can easily decide which grass will work best for your property.
Appearance:
The appearance of carpet grass and centipede grass makes them attractive to various homeowners. Many people love how these varieties grow tall, thick, and green without much effort, making them ideal for any area that needs a quick boost in green space.
However, choosing which type you want to install in your home can be difficult when trying to decide between their two different appearances. The carpet grass (which gets its name from its long, thin blades) tends to look neater and more uniform. At the same time, the centipede (or century) has longer leaves with a rippled edge and stripes or mottling along its blade length.
Both varieties are best suited for low-maintenance landscaping; however, some people choose centipede because they like how it looks more than carpet grass. Additionally, there’s no reason why you can’t have both varieties in your yard if one isn’t enough to satisfy your green thumb. Just make sure you plant each one far enough away so that their root systems don’t overlap.
Maintenance:
There are a lot of similarities when it comes to how you take care of these two types of grass. The only difference you may notice when it comes to maintenance is that carpet grass requires more frequent watering than a centipede.
However, just because one needs less water than another doesn’t mean it will die if you don’t water it enough. This means that even with less frequent watering, your carpet grass should do just fine if you have centipedes as well. It all depends on where you live and how much rainfall or irrigation your yard gets each week; basically, make sure both get enough water for proper growth.
A good rule of thumb is 1-2 inches per week in normal conditions, but if it’s been raining frequently, you can go down every other day until things slow down. Regarding fertilizer, both varieties should be fertilized in early spring and mid-summer during their growing season (March-August).
Be careful not to over-fertilize them, though. Too much fertilizer can actually harm your lawn rather than help it.
Growth Rate:
The difference between carpet grass and centipede grass lies in their growth rates as well. Both species are considered medium to slow growers and enjoy slightly acidic soil. But that’s where their similarities end.
Centipede grass grows at a faster rate than carpet grass, which means it will also require more frequent mowing during its seasonal growing cycle. So if you have a small area of your lawn where you want to include some ground cover but don’t want to mow as often, a centipede may be a better option for you.
For larger areas of your yard, however, or those that are already crowded with too much growth, carpet grass might be a better choice.
Drought Tolerance:
If you’re looking for low-maintenance grass, look no further than centipede grass. These hardy beauties can thrive in dry conditions with little to no water. While they can’t live without water entirely, they do significantly better than most other types of grasses when it comes to staying green while enduring a drought.
They’re also quite resistant to many pests and diseases, so you don’t have to worry about frequent outbreaks or costly treatments- and that also means lower maintenance costs. Centipede grass has some drawbacks, though. It tends to grow more slowly than other types of grass and needs plenty of suns to maintain its color.
It also doesn’t tolerate heavy foot traffic very well, making it less ideal for areas where there are lots of kids or pets running around. On top of that, centipede grass grows vertically rather than horizontally like some varieties, which can make mowing a bit more difficult (though still not as much as some other types).
However, if you love your lawn but hate all those extra watering sessions throughout the summer months, then centipede may be right up your alley.
While centipede grass doesn’t need much water, it does need a lot of sunlight. In some areas, that can make it more susceptible to pests and diseases than other types of grass. For example, you may have heard about chinch bugs and the pesky ways-and they love centipede grass.
Centipedes might not be your best bet if you live in an area where these critters are common. That said, if you live in an area with plenty of sunlight and little to no rainfall (think Arizona or Nevada), then you should have fewer problems with pests than most people.
How To Grow Centipede Grass?
To Grow Centipede Grass, you will need to start with a healthy, well-established plant. This can be purchased from a local nursery or through an online retailer. The first step in growing centipede grass is to prepare your soil for planting.
Centipede grass prefers rich, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter and has good drainage. If your soil does not meet these requirements, you may need to add compost or other amendments before planting. Once your soil has been prepared, you are ready to plant.
Centipede grass should be planted at least 6 inches deep and about 4 inches apart. You can also purchase plugs that are ready for immediate transplanting if you do not want to grow them from seed.
How To Grow Carpet Grass?
To Grow Carpet Grass, you will need to have well-drained soil. They grow best in sandy loam soils that are high in organic matter and full of nutrients. When growing carpet grass, it is best to plant them during late spring or early summer when temperatures are warm.
Soil temperatures are between 70-75 degrees F. Planting carpet grass in winter months can cause poor germination rates due to cold weather. If planting carpet grass in colder climates, make sure to keep your plants inside until all danger of frost has passed. Plant your seeds at a depth of 1/4 inch and cover lightly with soil.
Water your newly planted seeds with lukewarm water until they begin to sprout once they begin sprouting. Water regularly with lukewarm water until they reach 3 inches tall. Then, reduce watering frequency but continue regular watering habits until fall or winter arrives.
During warmer months, carpet grass grows quickly and should be mowed once a week. During cooler months, reduce mowing frequency to every two weeks. As your carpet grass begins to die back in autumn, cut off any dead foliage so the new growth doesn’t get damaged by winter winds.
Conclusion:
There are many things to consider when you’re trying to choose between carpet grass and centipede grass. If you live in an area that’s hard on your lawn, such as an area with lots of sunlight or dry weather, then you may prefer carpet grass because it can withstand those conditions.
Centipede grass tends to look nicer in a more controlled environment where it gets moisture and shade regularly. This isn’t to say that one type of grass is better than another-it really depends on what works best for your lawn and your climate.
For example, if you want a lawn that’s not only easy to maintain but also durable, then go with carpet grass because it can take more abuse from natural conditions such as sunlight and wind.
