Overwatered Centipedegrass: Correcting Irrigation Mistakes

The Problem with Daily Watering

Your installer recommended 15 minutes every other day, but when the sod seemed dry, you increased to 25 minutes daily. That's too much. Centipedegrass needs a transition from frequent light watering to deep, infrequent irrigation once established.

The Right Establishment Schedule

Keep new sod moist until it roots and greens up. Then gradually wean it over a month. The end goal: one deep watering (1 inch) per week, rain permitting. Your grass is stressed but likely not dead. Fertilize lightly at half strength if you haven't fed yet, then switch to weekly deep watering. Recovery by mid-summer is probable.