Weed Control Strategies for Centipedegrass Lawns

Three-Pronged Weed Management

Effective weed control requires combining three methods:

1. Healthy Lawn Practices: Proper fertilization, watering, and mowing create dense turf that resists invasion.
2. Mechanical Control: Frequent mowing at correct height suppresses many weeds; hand-pulling works for annuals.
3. Chemical Control: Herbicides applied at the right time for specific weeds, always following label directions.

Identifying Weed Types

• Broadleaf weeds: Chickweed, henbit, dandelion, spurge, wild onion—easy to spot in grass.
• Grassy weeds: Annual bluegrass, crabgrass, dallisgrass, bahiagrass—blend in but recognizable on close inspection.

Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent Herbicides

Pre-emergents prevent seed germination. Apply for summer weeds (crabgrass) in spring after four days of 60°F nights (around forsythia bloom). For winter weeds (annual bluegrass), apply early October. Water in after application.

Post-emergents kill existing weeds. Use specific products for grassy vs. broadleaf weeds when weeds are actively growing in early summer.

Critical Herbicide Safety Rules

• Identify the weed before choosing a product.
• Verify the herbicide is safe for centipedegrass.
• Never exceed label rates—double doses can kill your lawn.

Moss Management

Moss doesn't kill centipedegrass; it grows where grass can't—excess shade or moisture. Fix the environment: improve drainage, increase light. Lime and moss killers are temporary fixes.

Avoid "Weed 'n' Feed" Products

These often apply fertilizer or preventer at the wrong time. Centipedegrass should be fertilized during/after green-up; pre-emergents go down before green-up.

Specific Weed Solutions

• Annual bluegrass: Pre-emergent in mid-September; spot-treat with non-selective herbicide in spring before seeding.
• Chickweed: Pre-emergent (isoxaben) or broadleaf herbicides (2,4-D + MCPP).
• Wild onions: Two spring sprays at 6-week intervals (non-selective or broadleaf herbicide), two fall sprays at emergence. Imazaquin (Image) also works. Avoid during green-up or on new plantings.
• Nutsedge: Use imazaquin (Image).
• Wild violets: Difficult to eradicate; manage population with broadleaf herbicides sprayed three times at monthly intervals. Avoid drought and green-up periods.

The "Paint" Technique for Spot Treatment

Wrap a cotton towel on a rake, saturate with herbicide, and "paint" onto weed foliage while avoiding turfgrass. Discard cloth safely.