How to Sow Grass Seed in an Existing Lawn With Centipede Grass

Overview

Centipede grass is a low-maintenance, hardy, warm-season grass. It can grow happily in any type of soil, even if the soil is nutritionally poor. Therefore, it is an ideal variety of grass with which to over-sow existing lawns. It grows thickly, requires little mowing and will quickly fill in any thin places in your lawn. While centipede grass can be sown in a lawn in spring, the best time to do it is between mid-August and mid-September when weed competition is not a problem.

Step 1

Use a power rake (also known as a vertical mower) to clear the lawn of thatch and to loosen the soil to a depth of 1/4 inch.

Step 2

Use a fertilizer spreader, or hand broadcast the centipede grass at a rate of 1.5 pounds per 1000 square feet of lawn.

Step 3

Rake the lawn again to settle the seed into the soil.

Step 4

Keep the soil moist until the seedlings take root and reach two inches in height.