Can I plant fescue seed over existing centipede grass?

14 years ago

We're living in our first home and not very experienced with lawn care. We recently moved to North Carolina and aren't exactly thrilled with our centipede grass lawn. It just doesn't seem as appealing as a nice, plush cushion of bright green grass. So my question: our lawn is fairly large, and we're wondering if it's possible to spread some other type of grass seed right over the centipede grass. I'm guessing the answer is 'no - the centipede grass will win,' but the thought of tearing up all that existing lawn is causing me to ask anyway.

Thanks!!

Katie

Featured Answer

mrace

14 years ago

Yes, you can overseed fescue into a centipede lawn, but it is not easy. When we moved into our house (Durham), the builder had layed centipede sod. I went the whole summer with centipede at 2.5" tall, until late August. Over the course of two weeks, I mowed the centipede every 2-3 days, slowly dropping the blade each time, until I had it 1-1.25" tall.

The aggressive cutting shocked the growth and since we were headed into a cooler period, it never was able to green back up and stayed short. This allowed me to aerate and top dress with organics, then seed with 5 different TTTF seeds. I let the fescue grow up to 2.5"-3"+ before mowing. Reseeding every year in the fall will be a must.

When the spring comes, keep the fescue tall and it will shadow the centipede, not allowing it to green up until much later. By the time the centipede is ready to green up, the fescue will have a good root and be strong.

The next thing you need to keep in mind, is to water and feed the yard for fescue and not centipede. Year after year, you will gain some ground. Again, in the fall, cut the grass shorter (maybe 2") and reseed with different fescue.

I have found when it gets really hot, the fescue will start to go dormant and the centipede will strengthen up.

The main issue I see is the growth rate. The fescue will grow much faster and 3 days after cutting, the grass doesn't look even. But after you cut it, it looks like carpet.

Funny note: Every house in my neighborhood has centipede sod. Every year before the centipede has greened up, but the fescue is going strong, someone always walks by and ask why my grass isn't deal dead like theirs.

I always play dump and I say, "Im not sure." and smile.

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Comments (9)

tarheel23
14 years ago
Won't work. What part of the state are you in?
kmgard
Original Author
14 years ago
About an hour south of Raleigh. There seems to be quite a mixture of lawns in our neighborhood - not sure what everyone else is growing...
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We are in the very edge of 7b in Coastal NC just almost in zone 8a. We have centipede grass as do most of our neighbors and many, many people in our immediate area. It is used popularly here because it is low growing and drought tolerant. It is also popular here because, apprarently, it works effectively in sandy soils and is better at fighting against soil erosion than some other grasses (this comes from heresay, not my personal knowledge). We watered almost daily May through August. We do not have an irrigation system - we just use regular sprinklers and make sure it is set on heavy soak at least once a week. However, it is slow to sod and slow to green and you have to really watch it with weeds, because it is not a dense grass. It is also not great in shady areas - it needs sun! Our neighbors overseeded with centipede and it is just barely taking. I think he mentioned that he researched grasses that are compatible with centipede grass (look for other "southern lawns" like St Augustine maybe???) Also, be sure to use products that are rated specifically for centipede grass - regular chemicals, fertilizers and weed & feeds etc will burn centipede grass. In general, it takes some significant work in the first couple of years, but once it gets going, this is a low maintenance grass. It is not soft or lush or particularly pretty - but it is low growing and tough and tolerant.
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Chemicals would be the easiest. Even with tilling the area, there are still going to be weeds and tubers left. I am assuming you will be growing the fescue by seed,so you can't use any pre-emergent anti-germinating prevention (such as halts). You'll probably be struggling for awhile. I had sod (bermuda) laid down over a weedy patch and it took 3 years (and a lot of round up) to get rid of the weeds. It all depends on how tolerant of weeds you are. THe only other thing you could do is cover the area with black plastic and 'solarize' the soil to try to kill off as many of the tubers/weed seeds before laying down sod or seeds.
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tarheel23
14 years ago
I would guess you could have a fescue lawn south of Raleigh but you would have to kill the centipede next August to prepare for a Fall seeding of fescue. If some of your neighbors lawns are green now, that would tell you they have fescue lawns.
texas_weed
14 years ago
You can get rid of Centipede pretty easily if you want to. But first you need to determine a couple of things before you try.

One and most important is soil PH. Centipede thrives in very acidic soil where nothing else will grow. So if you get a PH test and it comes back say 6.0 or lower, you might want to just keep the Centipede because it is about the only thing you can grow without a life long battle trying to neutralize acidic soil and all the complications that come with it.

Once you clear the PH hurdle, then you need to determine if the cool season grasses do well in your area. You should be able to get a pretty good idea right now by just being observant and looking around at everyoneÂs lawn in your area. If they are green now they have a cool season grass like Fescue. But if you do not see a large percentage of cool season grasses you might stick with Centipede or switch to another warm season grass like Bermuda, Zoysia, or Saint Augustine.

Assuming you go ahead with it you will have to wait until late next August to convert. Once you see the Centipede turning green in spring fertilize it with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000/ft2. Repeat fertilizer application once a month up till about 3 weeks before you plant a cool season grass. Centipede hates fertile soil and lots of fertilizer, so applying healthy doses of fertilizer is going to wreck havoc on it and weaken it.

Then about 3 weeks before you over seed with Fescue, spray the Centipede with Round UP. Wait a week and spray again. Wait a week, then remove the dead centipede, prepare your seed bed and get with it.
auteck
14 years ago
T-weed, you never going to change. A Texas farmer giving grass advise about NC...

Kmgard,

I doubt is Centipede, builders usually sod with Bermuda when using a warm season grass. Tall Fescue/Bluegrass is the norm in NC except costal areas. Centipede does not do well here because of our winters. However, if in fact Centipede, then it is easy to kill if not dead already with the recent cold spell we have been having lately.

Let the grass green up on its own, probably about mid to late May if not June, then hit it with roundup or any other product with Glysophate as active ingredient, wait two weeks, apply roundup again to anything that it is still green. If your neighbors have warm season grasses, then now is the time to put inground borders to prevent these grasses from invading your future cool season turf.

By mid August, you're ready to seed the area with a mixture and blend of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass. You can find those mixes at any Lowe's or Home Depot stores - ACE carries those as well. Put Starter Fertilizer and water, water, and water every day twice a day (3 is better) until grass is nearly mature (about 3 weeks later or so) By the time Halloween arrives, you will have a dark green carpet.
texas_weed
14 years ago
Auteck bite me BOY and get back to class.
jack_zheng28
6 years ago
Dear friends, Would it be okay to apply centerpiece on the top of fescue in middle of Sept? Many thanks.
User
6 years ago
No, centerpieces go on tables only.

Can I plant fescue seed over existing centipede grass?

mrace

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tarheel23

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Can I plant fescue seed over existing centipede grass?

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