Watering Centipedegrass: Best Practices for Healthy Turf

Optimal Watering Time

Water in the morning, preferably before noon, so grass dries before nightfall—reducing disease risk. Adjust for rainfall and local restrictions (check georgiadrought.org).

Measuring Sprinkler Output

1. Place six identical weighted containers in the sprinkler pattern.
2. Run sprinkler for one hour.
3. Measure water depth in each, calculate average—inches per hour.
4. Determine run time needed for 1 inch of water.

Soil-Specific Adjustments

• Clay soil: Absorbs slowly; if runoff occurs, split irrigation into two sessions an hour apart.
• Sandy soil: Absorbs fast but dries quickly; split weekly inch into two ½-inch applications three days apart.

Drought Tolerance & Dormancy

Centipedegrass can survive 4 weeks without water before substantial harm. During dormancy, grass turns yellow but recovers when water returns if it was healthy initially.

Comparative Drought Survival (Weeks Without Water)

• Bermudagrass: 8
• St. Augustinegrass: 6
• Seashore paspalum: 6
• Centipedegrass, Tall fescue: 4
• Zoysiagrass: 4