Looking For Low Maintenance Grasses For Warm Regions?

There are many different grass types with some being high maintenance while others are very low maintenance. If you’re a busy person who has little time for maintenance then there are a few grass types we could recommend. For warm areas in the south, one of the better grass types is the one known as Centipede grass.

Centipede grass is native to Asia and arrived in the US shortly during World War I. This grass variety doesn’t tolerate extreme cold and, unlike many other grasses, doesn’t have a dormant period. In the right conditions, it will grow well all year round. The downside to Centipede grass is that it is a much lighter green to most types, and that it can be intrusive to other areas of the garden.

The upside to Centipede grass is that it is slow growing so it requires much less mowing, is not as hungry as other grasses so it doesn’t require as much fertilizer (in fact, over fertilizing is the biggest killer of this grass) and is not as thirsty as some grasses. It handles full sun and light to moderate traffic. It will grow in dappled light but, being slow to grow, could take three or four seasons to gain a good hold. Centipede grass, once established is a fairly thick grass. It is normally grown by seed although you can also find plugs.

Over time your Centipede lawn will thin out, however, over seeding in early spring or mid fall can help to rejuvenate it. The Grass Stitcher is an ideal tool for those thin areas – use it lightly to penetrate the surface and cast your seed and water well. The existing grass will act as a blanket to provide an ideal germination environment.

Low maintenance lawns are possible in warmer regions. Just select the right grass types and give them a good start. Once established, a lawn comprised chiefly of Centipede grass will look great yet require the minimum of maintenance. This leaves you free to actually enjoy using the lawn.