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TifBlair
Grass Variety
Centipede
Description
Available Now. TifBlair® Certified Centipede, is the product of over twenty-five years of research and genetic engineering by the internationally recognized turfgrass breeding program at Tifton, Georgia. Led by world-renowned USDA/ARS geneticist Dr. Wayne Hanna, TifBlair® was developed to provide the landscape industry a superior cold tolerant centipede with a patented pedigree that could extend the use of centipede grass farther north. TifBlair® is more shade tolerant than the Bermuda varieties, more slow growing and can be mowed infrequently without scalping. It needs less fertilization and performs well in acidic soils. In university studies, TifBlair® exhibited allelopathic characteristics - which means that it can choke out competing grass and weeds acting as its own herbicide.
About
TifBlair® Centipede is more cold and drought tolerant than common centipede. Tests conducted over three winters in Blairsville, GA, and Stillwater, OK, demonstrated that TifBlair® can grow in low pH soils because of its deep root system. TifBlair® is a low maintenance turf that is ideal for commercial and residential installations.
Characteristics
- Remarkable drought tolerance
- Superior cold hardiness
- Genetically pure, sold only as certified
- Resists weed and bermudagrass invasion
- Medium leaf blade
- Recommended mowing height 1-2"
- Easy to mow, will not scalp with infrequent mowing
Selection
- Soil test recommended; PH 5.0-6.0
- Warm season; dormant in winter
- Low fertility
- Full sun
- Overseeding not recommended
Maintenance Instructions
After the establishment period is over, keep a regular schedule of watering and mowing, and we think that you will be extremely pleased with the quality of your turf. Recommended mowing height is 1 - 2 inches. Ideal pH for centipede is 5.0 - 6.0. Follow recommendations on the soil test report. If the soil was not tested, use any turf fertilizer and follow label rates. Do not apply nitrogen containing fertilizers until the soil temperature at 4-inch depth is 65 degrees Fahrenheit and rising. See Centipede Grass Lawn Calendar. Soil tests can be conducted through your county extension agent.
Watering Tips and Guidelines
- Use a screwdriver or other sharp tool to see if ground is penetrable. Pull back a corner and push the screwdriver or sharp object into the soil. It should push in easily and have moisture along the first 6."
- Corners and edges are particularly vulnerable to drying out and are easily missed by many sprinklers. Areas near buildings also dry out faster. Make sure the entire lawn is receiving the same amount of water.
- To conserve water when runoff occurs, turn off the water and wait thirty minutes to an hour. For the next two weeks, keep the soil below the turf most with daily (or more frequent) waterings.
- As the roots of the turf begin to penetrate the soil, it will be difficult to pull back the corner to check underneath the sod. You can still use a sharp object to penetrate the soil by going all the way through the turf into the soil.
Watering Schedule
- Water in the morning anytime before 10:00am and in the evening after 4:00pm. These times are ideal because of lower temperatures, lower wind speeds and less water is lost through evaporation.
- Infrequent and deep watering is preferred over frequent and shallow watering. Roots will only grow as deep as their most frequent available water supply.
- Dormant turf still needs water! Just because it is dormant does not mean it is dead. About 1/2" of water per week should be applied to dormant turf after establishment in winter periods when there is little to no rain. Winds and humidity levels can cause turf to be dry. Watering through the winter to keep soil moist will increase your chances of a healthy (and green) lawn in the spring.
Reprinted with permission from NGTurf Contact us at 706-206-9166 or click to fill out our online quote request form.
"In God We Trust"
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