Carpetgrass Seed (Coated Seed) - Carpetgrass is a creeping, warm-season grass that is native to the West Indies. It was introduced into the United States in the early 1800s and has become naturalized in the southeastern states, especially on poorly drained soils. Carpetgrass physically resembles centipedegrass in terms of leaf density and shape.
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Lawn Applications:
New Lawns - Plant 4 - 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. or 175 - 215 lbs. per acre.
Over seeding an existing lawn - Plant 2 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. or 90 -110 lbs. per acre.
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Advantages
Carpetgrass grows on wet, low-pH soils where few other grasses persist, and has moderate shade
tolerance. It is low growing and produces a dense turf with good color if moderate fertilization rates are applied. It is a low-maintenance grass that does not require excessive amounts of fertilizer. Carpetgrass also can be grown from seed.
Disadvantages
Carpetgrass will not survive on very dry soils unless irrigated frequently. It has shallow roots that
impart poor drought tolerance. During the summer, carpetgrass produces numerous tall, thin seedheads that require frequent mowing for removal. It has poor cold tolerance, turning brown with the first cold spell. It is also slow to green up in the spring. Carpetgrass has poor salt tolerance and a medium leaf texture. It is subject to insect, nematode, and disease problems. It does not grow well outside of acidic (pH: 5.0 to 5.5) soils. Carpetgrass is not recommended for a
high-quality lawn; however, it can be used in wet, shady areas where ease of maintenance is more
important than quality.
Varieties
No named varieties of carpetgrass are available. The species A. affinis is sold as carpetgrass for lawn purposes.
Maintenance of Carpetgrass (Axonopus affinis or Axonopus compressus)
Establishment
Carpetgrass may be established from seeds or sprigs. Sod is not commonly available. Success with either propagation method is highly dependent on proper soil preparation. Refer to the “Preparing to Plant a Florida Lawn” section in Chapter 2(LH012) for information on seedbed preparation.
Seeding
Seeding is easier and less expensive than sprigging. Use fresh, weed-free seed. Broadcast at the
rate of 4 - 5 pounds per 1000 square feet. Planting dates are April to July. It is advisable to kill any existing weeds with a nonselective herbicide such as glyphosate before planting.
Sprigging
Planting carpetgrass by sprigs is as effective as seeding but more laborious. Fresh vigorous stolons (runners) with at least two nodes or joints should be planted in rows 12 inches apart, spacing the sprigs end-to-end or 6 to 12 inches apart in the row. Cover sprigs about 1 to 2 inches deep, leaving a portion of the sprig exposed to light. Rolling will press sprigs into close contact with the soil. Soil must be kept continually moist until the plants initiate new growth.
Fertiliziation
Proper fertilization of carpetgrass is an important practice in a good maintenance program. Carpetgrass does not tolerate excessive use of fertilizer, especially nitrogen. For a low-fertility regime, a complete fertilizer can be applied at 1 pound of N per 1000 square feet annually. For a slightly higher quality lawn, up to 2 pounds of N can be applied annually.
Mowing
If fertilized as recommended, carpetgrass will require mowing every 10 to 14 days at a height of 1 to 2 inches. Weekly mowing with a rotary mower may be necessary during the summer to remove the unsightly seedheads.
Watering
Carpetgrass thrives in wet soil and will require irrigation if grown on well-drained soils. Irrigating as needed is an excellent way to water any grass, provided the proper amount of water is applied when needed and not at a later or more convenient time. When using this approach, water at the first sign of wilt and apply 3/4 inch of water per application. During prolonged droughts, it may be necessary to water carpetgrass every other day. If carpetgrass is grown on naturally wet soils where it is best adapted, irrigation may not be necessary.
Pest Problems
Carpetgrass is damaged by nematodes and several insects and diseases. Refer to pest control chapters of the Florida Lawn Handbook for control measures.
Insects
Lawn caterpillars, mole crickets and spittlebugs cause damage. Worms are especially damaging on well-fertilized carpetgrass.
Diseases
The principal disease affecting carpetgrass is brown patch.
Nematodes
If carpetgrass is grown on poorly drained, wet soils, nematodes should not be a major problem.
However, on well-drained soils, nematodes can cause very serious damage to carpetgrass. These soilborne, microscopic worms attack the grass roots and, if not controlled, can weaken or ultimately kill the entire lawn.
Courtsey of http://www.ufl.edu
