Every homeowner’s dream is to have a lush green lawn. If you also want or intend to grow grass seeds on your lawn, then centipede grass is the best option. It costs a lot when you want to invest in centipede grass seeds, but why is centipede grass seed so expensive? The high price of centipede grass is due to its higher cost of production including labor, equipment, and storage costs.
The centipede grass seeds cost from 0.75 to 0.85 cents each and approximately 340 per pallet dollars. This price range looks so high, but there are various valid reasons why centipede grass seed is so expensive. So let’s find all the reasons behind this high cost!
Reasons Behind the High Cost of Centipede Grass
The following factors make the centipede seeds so expensive:
1. Climate and Other Qualities
Various qualities and desirable properties make them popular among most lawn owners. The centipede grass seeds can survive in severe climates, especially in the southern United States.
These grass seeds are very expensive as they have drought tolerance, can hold a beautiful light green color, require little maintenance, and can resist UV rays. This combination of qualities makes them worthy of this price.
2. Machinery Cost
Like the other grass seeds, the centipede grass seeds are also sensitive enough, requiring specific tools or machinery for harvesting. These harvesting equipment are expensive enough, and because of this, the maker can justify the expense of centipede seeds.
The maintenance and purchasing of these massive special machines require high costs. Moreover, for larger farmlands, the owners may require various parts of machines like hay bins, rotary disc mowers, and sickle mowers, and they can be handled by tractors. So as much as the pieces of machinery increase, the cost of maintenance will also increase. The gasoline price also affects the expenses, so grass growth costs ultimately become high.
3. Time Equals Money
The growth of centipede grass seeds requires a lot of time and is considered the slowest-growing grass of the warm season. These grass seeds grow in farmland on a large scale and need lots of sacrificing tracts of land. So the farmers want to get a full profit for their land and time, and due to this, it costs more.
The centipede grass seeds take about two years to mature, which adds up to more cost for the centipede grass seeds. The farmers’ overall planting, growing, and harvesting process needs a lot of patience. If they cut the grass too early, they may suffer a huge loss as the seeds may not be of good quality and may not give good results to consumers. That’s why centipede grass seeds are expensive due to the time they take for preparation.
4. Shortage of Centipede Grass
Growing grass or grass seed is a time-consuming and difficult task. Extreme weather conditions and low pollination rates affect the growth of grass and seed production—this imbalance between the demand rate and grass seed production results in the high price.
When it comes to centipede grass, it can not sprout without pollination and go to the germination stage without water. Mostly the growth of grass and farmers are affected by these conditions. Due to this, the price of centipede grass seeds has become high.
5. Processing and Packaging
You may notice that the price of centipede grass seeds varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. This is due to the difference in packaging and processing of the centipede grass seeds. The seeds of centipede grass are delicate and, because of this, undergo processing and packaging. They coat well before transportation so that they will not be damaged, resulting in high prices.
6. Variety of Centipede Grass
The other reason for the high price of centipede grass seeds is that they are bioengineered to give good results. They can bear extreme conditions, need low maintenance, and give better looks.
There are various centipede grass seeds, each with different qualities; Tif Blair centipede grass can hold cold temperatures. It is also expensive as it is not easy to plant and harvest on the farms and also not easily available. It plants and produces on a small scale and due to this, it is very expensive. The other hybrid seeds of centipede grass are also expensive as they can survive in complex climates.
Tips to Save Money Planting Grass
Creating a lush green lawn is challenging, but you may be ready to do whatever to make your dream come true. So if the cost of grass seeds doesn’t suit your budget, then some of the following ways may help you to save money:
Buy in Bulk
The first and most effective tip is to put the grass seeds in bulk when you want to plant your lawn. In this way, you will not only cut the cost but also store the leftover seeds for future use.
Switch to Cheaper Grass
If the grass seeds of one species are so high and look out of your budget, then it is good to go for the cheaper grass seeds. You can select a species that can hold in your area’s climate, like Zoysia grass, as they are less expensive and give you good results.
Use Manual Labor
Using manual labor instead of machines for planting is also a good idea. You can cut out the planting budget through this suggestion. You will stay on your budget without burden.
Why Are Centipede Grass Seeds Best For Most Lawns
You can find centipede grass seeds on most lawns, especially in the southern United States. They are the best option as they can survive in poor soil and require little maintenance. These grass seeds are for those who don’t have enough time to give their lawn to obtain splendid grass.
Grass seeds are important as only some homeowners are lucky to have naturally growing grass in front of their houses. So most homeowners make their dream come true by planting these grass seeds in their yards for lush green lawns.
Grass in your lawn will be green if the seeds are of high quality and remain within your budget. The centipede grass seeds are the best choice but may be expensive. But when you see the result, you will not regret your pick.                                     Â
Conclusion
Although centipede grass seeds are an expensive investment, they are worth it. The centipede grass requires little maintenance and gives a beautiful look to your garden. However, their price point may give you a second thought, but there are several ways to save money for this high quality. Also, the expensive price is worth it if we look at its high production cost. Make sure you buy these expensive grass seeds from a valuable store and don’t compromise on the quality.
FAQs
1. What Is the Best Centipede Grass Seed for Overseeding?
Augustine is a great choice if you want a mixture of grass for overseeding. If you want to avoid disease, then the Bermuda grass is another option to grow. Always buy quality grass seeds to get good results.
2. What Makes Centipede Grass Grow Faster?
Centipede grass requires full sun for about six hours daily for thick growth and cannot tolerate full shade. This grass gives you the best result in acidic and well-drained soil. So for green and dark shades, choose centipede grass.
3. Does Centipede Grass Need a Lot of Water?
During summer, they require 1 to 1.25 inches of water to retain color. But it is drought-tolerant and can survive without water for several weeks. On sandy soil, they need frequent watering.
Warren Joseph is a seasoned gardener and lawn care expert passionate about horticulture. With years of experience in the field, he’s authored numerous articles and blog posts on plant selection, soil composition, and pest management. Warren’s expertise has helped many homeowners and landscapers create beautiful, thriving outdoor spaces. Follow his advice to achieve the lawn and garden of your dreams.