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Features
- Does not tolerate drought
- Tolerant of wet, poorly drained sites
- Used as last resort where other warm season grasses do not thrive because of poor drainage
- Light to medium green color
- Prefers humid climate
- Ideal pH 5.0 to 6.0
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Area Suitable for Carpetgrass ? |
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Type |
Warm season |
When to Fertilize |
Spring, Summer and Fall |
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Light |
Full sun to partial shade |
Mowing Height |
1 to 2 inches |
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Planting Method |
Seed |
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CARPETGRASS IN THE LANDSCAPE Back to Top |
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Carpetgrass is a tough, creeping lawngrass that is specially suited to wet, poorly drained areas in tropical and semi-tropical climates. This grass needs constant moisture and a humid climate. In Florida, it is used in problem areas that are too damp, shady, or poorly drained for other lawngrasses. |
Restrain yourself from trying to spoil carpetgrass with exacting care. Instead, regard carpetgrass as a low-maintenance grass. |
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Carpetgrass will grow in shade where other warm-season grasses fail, but a half day of sun is needed to encourage strong growth. |
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A strong carpetgrass lawn needs a constant supply of water to grow well. Grow carpetgrass in wet areas where nature provides ample water. |
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Carpetgrass needs fertilizer to bring out the best of its green color. Healthy carpetgrass will "knit" itself into a tight turf that naturally resists weeds. |
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BEAUTIFUL CARPETGRASS, SEASON BY SEASON Back to Top |
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You can have a beautiful carpetgrass lawn by following an easy Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program. Together with proper mowing and watering, these measures will help carpetgrass grow strong and healthy.
Carpetgrass spreads by above-ground stems or runners called stolons. The stolons need occasional edging to keep them out of flower or shrub borders. Pieces of rooted stolon that are removed by edging are easy to transplant and can be used to patch bare spots in the lawn. After transplanting, be careful to keep them watered as the small pieces dry out quickly. |
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VIGORO ULTRA TURF STEP-BY-STEP ANNUAL LAWN CARE PROGRAM Back to Top |
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To get weed problems under control, follow the Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program shaded in purple. If your lawn is already in good condition, follow the Vigoro Ultra Turf Step-by-Step Annual Lawn Care Program shaded in blue. You can start either program during any season, but the key is to complete a full year. After a year you will see marked improvements in your lawn. When applying any lawn care product, always read the entire label first and follow directions. Be especially careful with weed control products and use only products labeled for use on carpetgrass. |
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Restoring Carpetgrass |
Restoring Carpetgrass |
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Step 1: Apply in late winter or early spring
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Crabgrass Preventer (without fertilizer)
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Step 1: Apply in late winter or early spring
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Crabgrass Preventer (without fertilizer)
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Step 2: Apply in late spring or early summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 2: Apply in late spring or early summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 3: Apply in late summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 3: Apply in late summer
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer
- Insect Control, if needed
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Step 4: Apply in fall
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Winterizer
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Step 4: Apply in fall
- Vigoro Ultra Turf Winterizer
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PRODUCT |
DESCRIPTION |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Crabgrass Preventer |
Keeps crabgrass seeds and other grassy weeds from germinating. Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension® keeps on killing crabgrass up to 4 weeks after it sprouts. Dimension® also prevents the sprouting of many broadleaf weeds, such as spurge, chickweed, and henbit. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed |
Kills broadleaf weeds that are actively growing and feeds the lawn at the same time. For best results apply it when weeds are still young and vigorously growing. Don't wait. Mowing a couple of days before applying will help stimulate new growth of older weeds. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Turf Fertilizer |
Should contain a combination of fast-release nitrogen to green the lawn quickly and timed-release nitrogen to feed grass for up to 2 or 3 months. |
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Vigoro Ultra Turf Winterizer |
Contains timed-release nitrogen and extra potassium to help lawns endure winter stress and green up quickly in spring. |
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Insect Control |
Is important for the control of white grubs, fleas, cutworms, and other major lawn pests. If these have been a problem in your lawn, apply Insect Control early, while the pests are still young. You can also apply Vigoro Ultra Turf Summer Fertilizer with Insect Control to combine feeding and control in one easy application. |
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VIGORO ULTRA TURF TIPS FOR BETTER CARPETGRASS Back to Top |
- Always use a fertilizer spreader to spread lawn care products evenly. If you apply Vigoro Ultra Turf Weed and Feed, use a drop-type spreader for accurate application at the edge of flower and shrub beds. A broadcast spreader can throw weed killer into the planting where it may cause damage.
- Never mow too close except in early spring. Close cutting of actively growing grass invites weeds. At the peak of summer, raise the mowing height to 2-inches. Avoid mowing altogether when the lawn is stressed by drought.
- Never burn off dead growth from carpetgrass in the spring. Instead, mow the grass low at 1-inch and collect the clippings.
- Unless your soil is very acidic, do not add lime to carpetgrass lawns. Carpetgrass needs an acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.
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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Back to Top |
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Working with Carpetgrass
In most parts of Florida, carpetgrass will remain green throughout the year. However, unusually cold winter weather may cause it to fade temporarily. New green growth will emerge in spring when warmer weather returns. Carpetgrass came to the United States via New Orleans and is naturalized in some parts of the Coastal South. However, because of its tendency to brown out in areas where winters are chilly, it is seldom used in lawns outside Florida.
Carpetgrass has shallow roots, so it can be damaged by long periods of dry weather. Don't worry too much about providing supplemental water in winters when carpetgrass becomes semi-dormant. However, you should water carpetgrass deeply at least once a week if the lawn dries out completely during summer which is its most active growing season.
In summer, carpetgrass is an enthusiastic producer of thin upright seedheads. Mow as often as needed to cut off the seedheads before they mature and shed. Have your mower blade sharpened or replaced at least once a year to make sure you get a clean, even cut when mowing carpetgrass. When carpetgrass is grown in shade it needs less mowing than when it is grown in sunnier spots. |
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