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Ever
wondered how to take care of your Centipede? Or how
short to cut your Bermuda? We've got all those answers
and more. Read below to find out about suggested
management practices for various types of lawns.
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Centipede is a slow-growing, apple green, course
leaved turf grass that is adapted for use as a low
maintenance, general purpose turf. It requires little
fertilization, infrequent mowing, and grows well in full
sun to moderate shade. It does not tolerate high
traffic, drought or heavy shade.
Care of Centipede Grass
Centipede is a warm season, low maintenance,
course-leaved turf grass. It is slow growing with an
apple-green color. Centipede is excellent for
residential and commercial applications where high
traffic, excessive drought or heavy shade is not a
problem.
- MOWING
Mow lawn at a height of 1 inch. Mow grass before
grass height exceeds 1 ½ inches. It is important
that the lawn is not scalped! If a one-inch height
cannot be obtained without scalping, raise mower
blade to an appropriate level to avoid scalping.
Lawn clippings should be collected to prevent an
excessive build-up of thatch. Do not use a mulching
mower on centipede.
- AERATION
Core aeration is the mechanical process of
removing cores of soil, providing space for roots
and soil to expand. A deeper root base makes a lawn
more heat and drought tolerant. It aids water and
nutrient infiltration, and provides for better
availability of oxygen to the grass. Core aeration
can be done anytime the grass is actively growing.
It is best to aerate once a year on a continual
basis. It takes three consecutive years of aerating
for the lawn to receive aeration’s full effect.
Centipede grass can be aerated from late May through
early September. We do not recommend aerating any
later in the year than early September, because it
is important to allow at least 4 weeks of good
growing weather to give the grass a chance to fill
the open aerator holes.
- WATERING
Water centipede grass to prevent drought stress.
About 1 inch of water per application each week is
needed for growing grass. Sandy soils often require
more frequent watering, as can extremely high
temperatures (for example: ½ inch of water every
third day). Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce
pest and non-pest problems from occurring later in
the summer. In winter months, water grass to prevent
excessive dehydration. Development of a strong root
system is imperative for a healthy, lush lawn. It is
more advantageous to water for long periods of time
less frequently. For example, water for 1 hour or ½
inch equivalent every 3rd or 4th
day. Avoid watering for 10-15 minute period daily or
multiple times per day. It is best to water lawns in
the early morning 4am-9am, versus the late
afternoon.
- WEED CONTROL
Weeding, insect control and fertilization need to
be performed during the correct timing and at the
recommended rates to achieve the maximum benefit
without creating potential long term harm to your
lawn. High ph, phosphorous or low-potassium soils
will create unfavorable growing conditions. We
recommend that a soil analysis be performed every
3-4 years.
Improper use or timing of fertilizers and/or
herbicides may result in damage or less desirable
results.
Please contact us at 252-757-1567 for more
information and a free analysis of your lawn needs.

St. Augustine is a warm season grass. It is medium to
dark green in color with a course leaf structure. The
“Raleigh” variety has the best cold tolerance and is
better suited for Eastern NC. St. Augustine grows well
in full sun and shady environments. It has a good salt
and moderate drought tolerance. It is fast spreading and
grows best in well-drained fertile soils. St. Augustine
does not tolerate high traffic well, but is a good
choice for residential lawns particularly where there is
a combination of full to partial or shaded environments.
- MOWING
Mow St. Augustine at a height of 2 inches and
mow before grass reaches 4 inches tall. Use a rotary
mower. It is important to use sharpened blades to
prevent damage from thrashing of grass.
- AERATION
Core aeration is the mechanical process of
removing cores of soil, providing space for roots
and soil to expand. A deeper root base makes a lawn
more heat and drought tolerant. It aids water and
nutrient infiltration, and provides for better
availability of oxygen to the grass. Core aeration
can be done anytime the grass is actively growing.
It is best to aerate once a year on a continual
basis. It takes three consecutive years of aerating
for the lawn to receive aeration’s full effect. St.
Augustine grass can be aerated from late May through
early September. We do not recommend aerating any
later in the year than early September, because it
is important to allow at least 4 weeks of good
growing weather to give the grass a chance to fill
the open aerator holes.
- WATERING
Water St. Augustine grass to prevent drought
stress. About 1 inch of water per application each
week is needed for growing grass. Sandy soils often
require more frequent watering, as can extremely
high temperatures (for example: ½ inch of water
every third day). Proper irrigation may prevent or
reduce pest and non-pest problems from occurring
later in the summer. In winter months, water grass
to prevent excessive dehydration. Development of a
strong root system is imperative for a healthy, lush
lawn. It is more advantageous to water for long
periods of time less frequently. For example, water
for 1 hour or ½ inch equivalent every 3rd or 4th
day. Avoid watering for 10-15 minute period daily or
multiple times per day. It is best to water lawns in
the early morning 4am-9am, versus the late
afternoon.
- WEED CONTROL
Weeding, insect control and fertilization need
to be performed during the correct timing and at the
recommended rates to achieve the maximum benefit
without creating potential long term harm to your
lawn. High ph, phosphorous or low-potassium soils
will create unfavorable growing conditions. We
recommend that a soil analysis be performed every
3-4 years.
Improper use or timing of fertilizers and/or
herbicides may result in damage or less desirable
results.
Please contact us at 252-757-1567 for more
information and a free analysis of your lawn needs.
Zoysia grass is a low, slow growing, and very dense,
wear-resistant lawn, that is tough to mow. Zoysia grass
should be core aerated every year, and thatched every 2
years. There are different varieties with variable
degrees of color and leaf texture. It is a higher
maintenance grass with a good wear resistance and shade
tolerance.
- MOWING
Mow lawn with a reel mower about 1 inch before
grasses reach 1 ½ inches to 2 inches in height for
best results. If a rotary is used adjust height to
prevent scalping.
- AERATION
Core aeration is the mechanical process of removing
cores of soil, providing space for roots and soil to
expand. A deeper root base makes a lawn more heat
and drought tolerant. It aids water and nutrient
infiltration, and provides for better availability
of oxygen to the grass. Core aeration can be done
anytime the grass is actively growing. It is best to
aerate once a year on a continual basis. It takes
three consecutive years of aerating for the lawn to
receive aeration’s full effect. Zoysia grass can be
aerated from late May through early September. We do
not recommend aerating any later in the year than
early September, because it is important to allow at
least 4 weeks of good growing weather to give the
grass a chance to fill the open aerator holes.
- WATERING
Water Zoysia grass to prevent drought stress.
About 1 inch of water per application each week is
needed for growing grass. Sandy soils often require
more frequent watering, as can extremely high
temperatures (for example: ½ inch of water every
third day). Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce
pest and non-pest problems from occurring later in
the summer. In winter months, water grass to prevent
excessive dehydration. Development of a strong root
system is imperative for a healthy, lush lawn. It is
more advantageous to water for long periods of time
less frequently. For example, water for 1 hour or ½
inch equivalent every 3rd or 4th day. Avoid watering
for 10-15 minute period daily or multiple times per
day. It is best to water lawns in the early morning
4am-9am, versus the late afternoon.
- WEED CONTROL
Weeding, insect control and fertilization need to be
performed during the correct timing and at the
recommended rates to achieve the maximum benefit
without creating potential long term harm to your
lawn. High ph, phosphorous or low-potassium soils
will create unfavorable growing conditions. We
recommend that a soil analysis be performed every
3-4 years.
Improper use or timing of fertilizers and/or
herbicides may result in damage or less desirable
results.
Please contact us at 252-757-1567 for more
information and a free analysis of your lawn needs.
Bermuda grass is a low growing, dense grass that can
range from coarse to fine texture. It is drought
tolerant and does well in full sun to shade. Bermuda
grass will thrive in all soils except poorly drained
areas. Bermuda grass can withstand high traffic areas
and recovers quickly from injury.
Care of Bermuda Grass
- Mow Bermuda from ¾ to 1 inch in height. Grass
clippings can be left on the lawn. This can help
with water and nutrients in the soil.
- Bermuda grass needs a weekly application of
about 1 to 1 ¼ inches of water. It is often
necessary to water for 3-5 hours to apply 1 inch of
water. A dark bluish gray color, foot printing, and
wilted, folded or curled leaves indicate it is time
to water.
- Aeration: Core aeration is the mechanical
process of removing cores of soil, providing space
for roots and soil to expand. A deeper root base
makes a lawn more tolerant and aids in water and
nutrient infiltration. Bermuda grass can be aerated
from late May through early September. Laughinghouse
Farms offers this service to customers to help keep
the lawn healthy and in good appearance. Please call
Laughinghouse Farm, Inc. for further details or to
set up aeration for your lawn. (252) 757-1567.
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