Many homeowners choose centipede turfgrass because it’s low-maintenance. Although it requires less fertilization than most turfgrasses, it still needs nutrition. So we searched Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart to find the best fertilizers for centipedegrass. We picked perfectly balanced products to give you a lush and healthy centipede lawn.
Top picks
Top 5 lawn fertilizers for centipedegrass – Reviews
1. Simple Lawn Solutions 15-0-15 Liquid Fertilizer
Simple Lawn Solutions 15-0-15 Liquid Fertilizer and Potash Lawn Food has the nutrients centipedegrass needs to green up and stay healthy. It also contains humic acid, which helps soil retain nutrients. The formula is excellent for sandy soils and helps protect grass from weather, pests, and diseases. Also, the application is simple because it comes ready to use in a spray bottle.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 3,200 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 30 days
- Fertilizer type: Liquid, contains organic ingredients (seaweed and fish) but is not certified as all organic
- N-P-K: 15-0-15
- Package size: 32 oz.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Well-balanced for centipede lawns ✓ Increases weather tolerance ✓ Boosts immune system ✓ High-quality ingredients ✓ Easy application ✓ Fast green-up | ✗ Not good for phosphorus-deficient soil ✗ Short effective period ✗ Can stain clothes or concrete |
Where to buy
2. Ferti-Lome Centipede Lawn Fertilizer 15-0-15
Ferti-Lome Centipede Lawn Fertilizer is specially formulated for centipedegrass with a 15-0-15 NPK ratio and micronutrients such as iron. This nutritional mix encourages dark green grass growth and prevents yellowing. It also increases your lawn’s tolerance to weather, pests, and diseases. As a result, it works great for spring green-up and improves winter survival.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: Several weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 15-0-5
- Package size: 20 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Well-balanced for centipede lawns ✓ Increases weather tolerance ✓ Boosts immune system ✓ Prevents yellowing | ✗ Not good for phosphorus-deficient soil ✗ Not good for iron-rich soil |
Where to buy
3. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer
Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer is an organic solution for spring fertilization. Its nitrogen-rich formula quickly improves lawn color and density while protecting against weather damage. It’s safe for children and pets, so they can play on the lawn immediately after application. However, it’s not the best choice for late-summer/early-fall fertilizer applications.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 8 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, organic
- N-P-K: 9-0-2
- Package size: 20 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Fast results ✓ Organic ✓ Safe for children and pets ✓ Increases weather tolerance | ✗ Not good for fall applications ✗ Not good for phosphorus-deficient soil |
Where to buy
4. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food is an excellent fertilizer for southern homeowners because it’s built for southern climates and warm-season grasses, like centipedegrass. It contains Scotts All-in-One Particles that help centipede roots stay deep and strong for extra protection against heat and drought. It also improves growth and color and is best applied in the spring or early summer.
Specifications
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: 6 – 8 weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic
- N-P-K: 32-0-10
- Package size: 14.06 lb.
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Extra heat and drought protection ✓ Improves cold tolerance ✓ Boosts immune system ✓ Prevents insect damage | ✗ Not good for fall applications ✗ Not good for phosphorus-deficient soil |
Where to buy
5. Ferti-Lome Centipede Weed and Feed 15-0-15
The best fertilizer with weed killer for centipede turfgrass is Ferti-Lome Centipede Weed and Feed 15-0-15. It provides a balanced diet to improve the health and appearance of your centipede lawn and controls over 200 broadleaf weeds. It’s also excellent for soil with an iron deficiency because it contains iron and other micronutrients.
Specifications
- Active ingredient: Trimec
- Coverage area: 5,000 sq. ft.
- Effective period: Several weeks
- Fertilizer type: Granular, slow-release, synthetic, weed and feed
- N-P-K: 15-0-5
- Package size: 20 lb.
- Weeds treated: Over 200 broadleaf weeds including dollar weed, dandelions, chickweed, and spurge
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Treats weeds while feeding the lawn ✓ Well-balanced nutrition ✓ Improves weather tolerance ✓ Prevents insect damage | ✗ Long-term use can lead to a chemical dependency ✗ Doesn’t control crabgrass ✗ Not good for phosphorus-deficient soil |
Where to buy
Buyer’s guide to lawn fertilizers for centipedegrass
When shopping for centipedegrass lawn fertilizer, please consider the following:
Nutrients
Grass needs a healthy diet of specific nutrients to thrive, and fertilizer adds missing nutrients to the soil. Testing the soil is the only way to know what your soil needs. The soil test report tells you everything you need to know, including:
- Nutrient levels
- Soil pH
- Organic matter
- Soil type
NPK
The primary nutrients lawns need are known as NPK:
- Nitrogen (N) gives grass its vibrant green color and encourages dense growth. Centipedegrass doesn’t need as much nitrogen as other grasses, and too much makes it less tolerant and encourages excess thatch. Each year, apply no more than 0.5 – 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
- Phosphorous (P) develops root systems and is particularly important for new grass. Only give it to established centipede lawns if a soil test shows a phosphorous deficiency.
- Potassium (K) strengthens grass against weather, disease, and insects. Centipede needs extra potassium in late summer to stay healthy through winter dormancy.
NPK ratio
Each package of fertilize states its NPK ratio. For example, Safer Brand Lawn Restore Natural Fertilizer has an N-P-K of 9-0-2 and comes in a 20-pound bag. To determine how much Nitrogen (N) is in the bag, multiply 20 pounds by 9% (.09), which equals 1.8 pounds of nitrogen. The most common N-P-K recommendation for centipedegrass is 15-0-15.
Micronutrients
In addition to NPK, centipede lawns need micronutrients. Grass only needs these in small doses, so only treat deficiencies confirmed by a soil test. Centipede lawns may need extra iron, manganese, or sulfur.
Fertilizer type
There are many types of fertilizers to choose from:
- Slow-release vs. quick-release fertilizer: Slow-release fertilizers slowly break down into the soil, and quick-release fertilizers give the grass an instant burst of nutrition. Quick-release products need more applications and have a higher risk of fertilizer burn.
- Liquid vs. granular fertilizer: Granular fertilizer is cheaper and slow-release. Liquid fertilizer is easier to apply and quicker to release nutrients. See a more in-depth comparison in our article Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer.
- Organic vs. synthetic fertilizer: Organic fertilizers typically take longer to work, but organic matter is excellent for the soil. Over time, synthetic fertilizers can destroy the soil, but they’re cheaper than organic products, and they usually work faster.
- Weed and feed: Weed and feed nourishes grass and provides weed control. It contains fertilizer as well as herbicides.
Equipment
You need a spreader to apply granular fertilizer and a sprayer to apply liquid fertilizer. Some liquid products come in a ready-to-use spray bottle. If you choose a fertilizer that will require you to purchase equipment to apply it, be sure to factor that into your cost considerations.
Cost
Expect fertilizing your own lawn to cost $40 to $320 for the fertilizer and additional equipment (if needed), and professional lawn fertilization to cost $120 to $480.
FAQ about lawn fertilizers for centipedegrass
Mid-spring to late summer is the best time to fertilize centipedegrass, and you should wait until mid-May to apply any nitrogen.
The best soil pH for centipedegrass is 5 to 6. Centipede prefers well-draining, acidic soil.
The best weed control for centipede lawns is good lawn care, which includes the following:
● Aeration every 1-3 years to loosen the soil and make it easier for water and nutrients to reach the grass’s roots.
● Dethatching to remove excess thatch, which can choke grass and block water and nutrients.
● Lawn mowing on a regular schedule and at the correct height for your grass type.
● Lawn watering enough but not too much, as overwatering can be extremely harmful to your grass.
● Overseeding thin grass to make it denser, enabling it to crowd out weeds.
● Lawn fertilization during your grass type’s growing season, which in the case of centipedegrass is late spring to early summer.
And you may also need to use herbicides. Before weeds sprout, you can treat your lawn with the best pre-emergent herbicides to prevent them. Use the best post-emergent herbicides to treat visible weeds.
The most common centipedegrass pests are:
● Grub worms
● Nematodes
● Mole crickets
● Spittlebugs
● Ground pearls
It’s essential to pick the best fertilizer for your grass type. So, we researched and found the best lawn fertilizers for these warm-season grasses:
● Bermudagrass: The best fertilizers for Bermuda include Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8 and The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8.
● St. Augustinegrass: The best fertilizers for St. Augustine includes The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 and Espoma Organic Lawn Food.
● Zoysiagrass: The best fertilizers for Zoysia include Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16-4-8 and Turf Nature Natural Base Fertilizer.
When to call a lawn care pro
Hire a lawn care pro if you want a pristine lawn free of weeds and pests but don’t want to spend your weekends doing yard work. A pro will ensure your grass has everything it needs to thrive, and routine lawn service is very affordable. Contact a local lawn care pro today to get a free quote.
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