Important Information You Need To Know About St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is a widely adapted, fast growing warm season grass that grows in a variety of soils and different pH levels. Being a salt tolerant turf, the grass is suited for humid, subtropical areas such as Florida and some parts of southeastern America. With its compact blue-green color, the low maintenance grass performs well with little care. Here is what you should know about the grass.

How to care for the grass

After planting, you need to water it frequently for 7 to 10 days. These allow the roots to form well, before you gradually reduce your frequency of watering until the roots are fully established. Depending on the height, you can mow your grass when it’s at least 1 to 3 inches. If well maintained, the lawn will produce a dense grass carpet of green/blue-green color.

Fertilizing

Before you apply organic matter or a starter fertilizer, it is advisable to test your lawn’s soil. The test should be done every 2 to 3 years. If recommended, you can apply lime to your soils, then apply a pound of nitrogen to your lawn three weeks after it begins to green up. Avoid applying 3+ pounds of nitrogen to your lawn per year.

Weeds and weed control

Weeds are minor problems for the St. Augustine grass. If you notice weeds like crabgrass, pre-emergence herbicides can help control it. Also, reduced stress and good cultural control in the turf can control the weeds.

Pest control

Sod, Chinch bugs, and Grubs are common in St. Augustine grass. If you notice drought-like symptoms or yellow spots, check for chinch bugs. Check for chinch bugs using a coffee can. Push the can into the area after removing the top and the bottom. Fill it with water and the chinch bugs will float.

Watering

It is always recommended that you water your lawn in the morning. Depending on the soil type and your geographic area, you will decide how frequently you will water your grass, but maintaining good soil moisture will help retain the color during the summer months. For example, in sandy soil, the grass needs more frequent watering.

Conclusion

The St. Augustine grass creates a smooth turf that is even, tolerant to low moisture and extremely high temperatures. The grass comes in different varieties and each is bred for disease and insect resistance and better texture and color. With little maintenance, your lawn will look green/blue-green for a long period. Back to home.