St Augustine Grass Care and Lawn Maintenance Schedule

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St Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a fast growing, widely-adapted, warm season grass.

It grows in a wide variety of soils and pH levels, comes in several cultivars and is the most common turf grass plants grown and used throughout the state of Florida.

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It is also used throughout the southeastern United States. Continue reading to learn more about renovating old lawns with St. Augustine grass.

Properly maintained St Augustine lawns will produce a dense, lush carpet of medium to dark green/blue-green color making it look like a new lawn.

These warm-season grasses do best growing in rich, well-drained soil, in a warm humid climate.

Exposure to cold temperatures should be limited, without excessive or intense duration.

The Advantages of St Augustine Sod

  • Produces dense turf of green, dark green, blue green color
  • Adapts to a wide variety of soils
  • Overall good salt tolerance
  • Establishes quickly
  • Makes a quick lawn from sod
  • Can be started from sod, sprigs or plugs
  • Some cultivars handle shade better

Disadvantages of St Augustine Lawns

  • Requires water to remain healthy and green
  • May require additional irrigation during dry periods
  • Under heavy irrigation or fertilizer schedules it can produce thatch
  • Does not handle excessive heavy foot or vehicle traffic
  • Goes dormant some areas during winter turning tan or brown
  • Does not grow as densely as other lawn grasses due to coarse wide leaves
  • Chinch bugs can cause serious damage
  • Susceptible to take-all root rot, leaf spot and brown patch
  • Controlling weeds and preventing them from seeding can be difficult

Cultivars of St Augustine

There are several cultivars available. Below is a listing of the more popular ones used in Florida lawn care and across the Southeast.

Standard Cultivars

  • ‘Bitterblue’
  • ‘Classic’
  • ‘DeltaShade’
  • ‘Floralawn’
  • ‘Floratam’
  • ‘Palmetto’
  • ‘Raleigh’
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Dwarf Cultivars

  • ‘Captiva’
  • ‘Delmar’
  • ‘Sapphire’
  • ‘Seville’

St Augustine Grass Maintenance and Care Tips Calendar

How To Care For St Augustine Grass March Through May

Mowing

As spring arrives and your St Augustine begins to turn green, it’s time to start mowing the grass.

During the winter months your grass may turn brown and tempt you to set your lawn mower or sod cutter lower to remove all the “dead” grass before the active growing season.

Bad choice… St Augustine spreads by stolons or stems on top of the ground. Mowing the grass at a low mowing height can scalp and damage the stolons, it also discourages deep a deep root system.

Mow your grass often, at 2.5 to 4.0 inches mowing height, removing no more than ⅓ of the leaf blade. By mowing more often during the growing season you’ll avoid build up of thatch layer including grass clippings. Unless the grass coming out of the mower is leaving clumps in the yard, collecting the grass is not required.

Fertilizing

Before applying starter fertilizer or organic matter to your lawn it is usually a good idea to get your lawn’s soil tested (every 2 – 3 years is fine). Apply lime if the soil test recommends it. Apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet approximately 3 weeks after your grass begins to green up. Do not apply more than 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per year.

See Calculating Fertilizer below

Watering St Augustine Grass

During the spring season St Augustine seldom needs irrigation due to the the spring rains. However, if the lawn is established apply irrigation on an “as-needed” basis.

If leaf blades turn a blue-gray color, look wilted or curled, begin to fold over or show foot-prints from walking in the grass – it’s time for irrigation.

Don’t over-water! Apply ¾ to 1” of water per week if needed. Follow all local water restrictions that may apply.

See Determining Irrigation Rates below

Weed Control For St Augustine Grass

If crabgrass has been a problem, apply preemergence herbicides labeled for St Augustine grass by March 1 – (earlier in warmer areas like South Florida)

Remember if grass seed, weed seeds or weeds are actively growing, preemergence herbicides will not control them from further seeding.

When using postemergence herbicides, beware St. Augustine grass is sensitive to certain herbicides like 2,4-D. Never apply postemergence herbicides (e.g., atrazine), when the air temperatures are over 85°F or the turf and soil surface are under moisture stress.

Use and apply postemergence herbicides with caution and ALWAYS follow the instructions on the label directions.

Make sure you have correctly identified the weed before treating and grass with a post or preemergence chemical.

Disease Control

During the spring and fall months you may find brown grass, in circular patches called “brown patch” fungus. Brown patch usually happens during humid, warm weather and is fueled by excessive nitrogen. Fungicides may provide control.

A better “method of control” is to reduce irrigation and nitrogen, improve drainage and air movement through the soil.

Insect Control

The number one insect pests for St Augustine grass is the southern chinch bug. If you notice yellow spots or drought like symptoms in sunny locations – check for chinch bugs. Lawn grub worm control can also be a problem.

Checking for Chinch Bugs

Take a coffee metal can and remove the top and bottom. Push the coffee can into the area you think may have chinch bugs.

Fill the can with water. If chinch bugs are present – they should float. Generally, it is recommended to hire a professional to treat your St Augustine turf for chinch bug.

Renovation

If your yard need of some lawn renovation, the spring time is the time to re-sod the areas or plant plugs on 6″ to 12″ inch centers.

June Through August

Mowing

During the hot summer months, unless your lawn is stressed due to drought conditions, mow your grass every 5-7 days. If drought conditions exist, mow less often.

Also during the “growing” summer months, apply 1/2 to 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. However, because of the rapid growth during this time of the year, I like to split the application in half.

Fertilizing

Apply the first application around mid-June and the second application around the beginning of August.

Remember: DO NOT apply more than 3 lbs per thousand square feet per year.

Watering

Watering your lawn early in the morning is always recommended. St Augustine grass can survive for long periods without rainfall or irrigation. However, good moisture in the soil will help your St Augustine lawn retain its color during the summer months. A weekly watering of 1 to 1 ¼ inches should allow the water to penetrate 4 – 6 inches into the soil and provide ample moisture.

Lawn in sandy soils will need more frequent watering. When watering lawns in clay soils, remember the soil “accepts” the water slowly.

Water until the “runoff” starts, water the next zone and come back and water the zone again until the water has been able to penetrate the clay soil to th desired depth.

If grass looks dark and blue-gray, wilted, and curled or folded leaf blades and foot-prints show, your St Augustine is saying it’s time to irrigate.

Never forget: You can help prevent or reduce pests and other problems with proper irrigation practices.

Cultivation

Areas, exposed to heavy traffic – foot or machine – could possibly benefit from lawn aeration. A core aerator will come in handy.

Check for thatch. If thatch depth exceeds 0.75 inches, the best control is to dethatch your lawn or remove the excess with a dethatching machine such as a power rake.

Early summer is the best time for any lawn aeration or cultivation as the St Augustine has plenty of time to recover.

Insect Control

Do a thorough walk over your lawn looking for any drought like symptoms or yellow spots showing up in sunny locations.

If they are found – check for any chinch bug activity. Use the “coffee can” method described above. If chinch bugs are found – treat the area. It’s recommended to seek a lawn professional for treatment.

Weed Control

To control summer perennial and annual broadleaf weeds apply post-emergence herbicides. Always follow the label and directions in application. Make sure the post-emergence herbicide is labeled for St Augustinegrass.

DO NOT Apply any herbicides if:

  • Lawn is under stress
  • Weeds are not actively growing

Disease Control

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Check for large patch or bare spots and gray leaf spot disease.

Renovation

If your lawn is in need of some renovation, replant any large areas in Late-May, re-sod the areas or plant plugs on 6 to 12 inch centers.

September Through November

Mowing

Continue mowing St. Augustinegrass following the same guidelines as June-August, mowing every 5 to 7 days and less when the lawn is drought stressed.

Fertilizing

Generally, St Augustine grass can be fertilized between 2-6 times per year, all depending on your location.

Due to the climatic range and geographical locations of where St. Augustine grass grows fall fertilizer applications differ depending on location.

In northern areas where St Augustine will go dormant, no fertilizer is needed. However, in south Florida, a year-round fertilization program is acceptable.

Apply lime if a soil test recommends.

Watering

Follow the irrigation guidelines for March – May. If your St. Augustine grass is dormant, periodic irrigation may still needed when dry, windy conditions occur for extended periods.

The exception: To prevent desiccation newly planted lawns or sod should be watered during this period.

Disease Control

Do regular checking for large patch fungus.

Weed Control

Check for crabgrass. If present make plans and mark your calendar to apply a pre-emergence herbicide in the spring.

St Augustine Lawn Care December Through February

Mowing

During this period mowing will most likely not be required, except in the very southern areas like south Florida. However, you can do some healthy lawn clean up by, picking up any debris (sticks, rocks, leaves, dead grass, etc.).

Fertilizing

Fertilizer should not required during this period. If you have not taken a soil sample (every 2-3 years is fine) and had your soil tested, now is a good time to find out your lawn’s nutrient makeup and requirements.

Be sure to specify your lawn species. Also, labs are slow so a soil test during this period is perfect.

Watering

Any newly planted lawns or sod should be irrigated and watered to prevent desiccation. Again depending on location, watering may be required.

Do not keep the soil wet as dollarweed and sedges thrive in wet soil conditions.

Weed Control

For the control of chickweed, henbit and others apply a broadleaf herbicide labeled for St. Augustine grass.

Always abide by the label directions carefully on rates and always use with caution.

Tips On Calculating Fertilizer & Irrigation

Calculating Fertilizer

To determine the amount of fertilizer product required to apply 0.5 pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet, divide 0.5 by the first number (%) in the fertilizer ratio.

For example, for a 20-5-5 fertilizer (containing 20% N), divide 0.5 by 0.20 (NOTE: 20% = 0.20).

The result is 2.5 pounds of product per thousand square feet.

Calculating Irrigation

To determine the quantity of water supplied by a sprinkler system, place several straight-sided cans (e.g., tuna fish or cat food) in each irrigated zone. Run the zone and record the amount of time required to fill the cans to a level of 1/2- or 3/4-inches.

Each zone will most likely vary in the amount of time required to produce the same quantity of water.

Now program into the irrigation controller the time needed to produce the required irrigation rates to make the sprinkler system automated.

Sources: Univ Arkansas | Univ Florida

Images: Sod Solutions

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