Beautiful lawns can be grown in Florida to enhance the appearance of your Florida home. 
generally less attractive turf or lawn than regular lawn 
grasses. It is somewhat difficult to mow, especially when 
rapid growing seed shoots develop during the summer, but 
should not be mowed closely (to a height of 11% to 2 inches). 
It requires fertilization occasionally—two times per year— 
mid-spring and late summer, with a complete fertilizer such 
as Vigoro or Vertagreen. It is susceptible to damage from 
salt spray, but is relatively free of insect and disease troubles. 
Spring and early summer are the best periods for planting. 
Seeds are somewhat slow to germinate, sometimes requiring 
several weeks. The seedbed should be kept moist until germi- 
nation occurs. For best distribution of seed, it should be mixed 
with dry sand. Sow seed at the rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 
square foot. “Common” Bahia should never be used for lawns. 
1 Ib. 50c; 10 Ibs. $2.80; 25 Ibs. $6.50; 100 Ibs. $25.00 
ITALIAN RYE GRASS 
Florida’s Winter Blue Grass 
For Lawns Sow 200 to 250 Pounds Per Acre. 
or 4 to 6 Pounds Per 1000 Square Feet. For Temporary 
Winter Pasture sow 50 Pounds Per Acre. 
This is a most valuable and desirable fall and winter grass 
for Florida, but it does not make a permanent lawn. It dies 
out as soon as warm weather of late spring and early sum- 
mer comes on. However, for quick covering of lawns and golf 
courses in winter it is unsurpassed. Do not plant in Florida 
before October or later than March. It will make a vigorous, 
luxuriant growth throughout the fall, winter and early spring 
but must have plenty of water. A common practice in Florida 
is to seed Italian Rye grass on other brown lawns or in brown 
unsightly spots of old lawn in the fall and winter for a 
velvety green all-winter lawn. Plant 14 lb. to 100 square feet 
right on top of old lawn after loosening the surface soil. Keep 
soil moist until seed sprouts. 
1 tb. 45c; 10 Ibs. $1.85; 25 Ibs. $4.25; 100 Ibs. $15.50 
CARPET GRASS 
For Lawns Sow 100 to 150 Pounds Per Acre or 2 to 4 
Pounds Per 1000 Square Feet. For Pastures 
25 Pounds Per Acre. 
Carpet grass is particularly well adapted to low moist soils 
and does not require much fertilization, but needs plenty of 
moisture, This grass is not suited to drouthy conditions or to 
sweet soils with a high pH. It turns brown in the winter, is 
not at all salt tolerant nor will it stand much shade. Keep 
mowed to a height of 2 inches. Plant in the spring from 
March to July, or in fall from October to December. For 
lawns and golf courses use 2 to 4 lbs. of seed per 1000 sq. feet. 
1 Ib. $1.00; 10 Ibs. $6.10; 25 Ibs. $14.75; 100 Ibs. $58.00 
BITTER BLUE-‘STEMMED ST. AUGUSTINE GRASS 
Use one bushel of sprigs per 200 to 300 square feet. 
This is one of the most popular lawn grasses for Florida. It 
is quick to establish, rather coarse in texture, but easy to mow, 
and remains green the year around. It should be cut at a 
height of 2 inches. Severe cutting back is quite harmful. It 
should be fertilized two or three times a year at the rate of 
20 pounds per 1000 square feet with a complete fertilizer 
such as Vigoro or Vertagreen. St. Augustine is our best shade 
grass and will grow on alkaline as well as slightly acid soils. 
It is very salt tolerant and can be grown along the beaches 
where a good soil base is provided. It can be grown by 
vegetative propagation only. Sprigs should be planted in well 
prepared soil, setting about 6x9 inches apart. For chinch 
bug control in St. Augustine lawns see page 57. 
Bitter Blue-Stemmed St. Augustine Grass Sprigs or Roots 
1 bu. $2.50; 5 bu. $2.40 per bu.; 10 bu. $2.25 per bu. 
Not prepaid. Available April to November. Shipped only by 
express direct from a Florida nursery. 
CENTIPEDE GRASS 
Use one bushel of sprigs per 300 to 400 square feet. 
Sow 3 ounces seed per 1000 square feet. 
This is considered the best low maintenance grass for Flor- 
ida. It is adapted to a wide range of soils including high sand 
hills, and will tolerate infertile acid soils, can get by on a mini- 
mum of fertilizer and water, and is relatively free of insect 
pests and diseases. It will not do at all well on alkaline or 
sweet soils but makes best growth on acid soils. A light spring 
and/or fall application of a complete fertilizer such as Vigoro 
or Vertagreen—10 to 15 pounds per 1000 square feet, should 
be sufficient for best results. Do not over-fertilize. The ferti- 
lizer should be watered in. In periods of extended drouth a 
thorough watering every 5 to 7 days should be sufficient, 
wetting the soil 4 to 6 inches deep each time. It is quick to 
establish and easy to mow to a height of 114 inches. However, 
it turns brown during the winter, does not tolerate shade and 
salt spray as well as St. Augustine, and does not grow well in 
alkaline soils or in dense shade. Can be grown by vegetative 
reproduction (sprigs) or from seed. 
Seed production is limited as yet, and the cost of seed is 
quite high, but it is recommended for relatively small areas. 
A good seedbed should be prepared and fertilized prior to 
planting. Mix the proper amount of seed for a given area 
with dry sand (3 oz. seed per gallon of sand) to facilitate uni- 
form planting. Cover seed lightly, not over % to 4 inch 
with a rake. The seedbed must be kept moist until germina- 
tion is secured, and the seedlings have become established. 
It usually taks 2 to 3 months for Centipede grass seed to 
germinate. Centipede established from seed will not differ 
from that established from sprigs. 
Centipede sprigs or root runners 3 to 5 inches long should 
be planted in rows 10 to 12 inches apart, 4 to 5 inches apart 
in the rows. Insert sprigs in the ground, leaving about an inch 
showing. Cover with soil immediately to prevent drying out. 
Give frequent watering until plants are rooted firmly. 
Centipede Grass Seed 
1 oz. $1.15; 44 Ib. $4.25; Y% Ib. $8.00; 1 Ib. $15.00 
Postpaid 
Centipede Grass Sprigs or Roots 
1 bu. $2.25; 5 bu. $2.15 per bu.; 10 bu. $2.00 per bu. 
Not prepaid. Available April to November. Shipped only by 
express direct from a Florida nursery. 
Write Mail Order Department, Kilgore Seed Co., Plant City, 
Fla., for instructive folder on “Centipede Grass Lawns.” 
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40 KILGORE’S FLORIDA STORES: Plant City, Belle Glade, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Homestead, Miami, 
Ocala, Pahokee, Palmetto, Pompano Beach, Sanford, Vero Beach, Wauchula, West Palm Beach 
