St. Augustine grass is a warm-season turfgrass native to Florida. It’s also known by many other names including Bahia grass, Bermuda grass, Brazilian grass, Cockspur grass, Cuban grass, English ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, and Spanish ryegrass.
St. Augustine grass is an ideal choice for use in residential landscapes because it grows well in full sun and tolerates both drought and high temperatures. In addition, this type of grass can be used in areas where there is frequent foot traffic.
St. Augustinegrass has been grown in Florida since the early 1700s when it was first introduced from Europe. Today, St. Augustine grass is still widely planted throughout the state and is considered one of the most popular types of turfgrass.
This grass is often used in golf courses, parks, and public landscapes. St. Augustine grass requires little care and maintenance once established. However, regular maintenance is required to ensure proper growth and health.
Simple Steps to Maintain and Care St. Augustine grass:
Watering St. Augustine Grass
It’s important to water your lawn properly so it can grow healthy and strong. When watering your lawn, make sure to apply water evenly over the entire surface area of the lawn. If you’re using sprinklers, try to aim them toward the center of the lawn. You should not have to water every day unless it’s very hot outside. If you live in an area where rain is common, you may need to water your lawn less frequently.
Water 2-3 times a week in spring. And in summer when the St. Augustine grass becomes fully mature, water 2-4 times according to soil ability to hold moisture.
The best time to water your St. Augustine grass is early morning and early afternoon. As it helps in water conservation and prevents soil fungus.
Mowing Your Lawn
In January, Mow your St. Augustine lawn slightly lower (2 inches high) than the regular summer lawn. And when the temperature increases, keep the height 2-4 inches high. And during the period of environmental stress and no rainfall, increase the grass height by 1 inch. It helps the grass to eliminate the stress effects. And continue to mow the St. Augustine grass until the temperature continues to decrease. At the time of frost, increase the turf height up to 1 inch. This will help the grass to acclimate.
When mowing, use a sharp blade on a power mower. This will help prevent damage to the root system of the grass. You should also avoid using any type of mulching machine when mowing. Mulch adds nutrients to the soil but it also prevents the roots of the grass from absorbing moisture.
Fertilizing St. Augustine Grass
You can apply fertilizer to your lawn throughout the year. Fertilizer helps maintain healthy growth and color. Apply about half of the recommended amount in the spring. Then add another application in late summer or early fall. You should apply 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet of soil. Apply an additional 1 pound per 1,000 square feet of soil during the winter months.
You can fertilize your lawn by applying a slow-release fertilizer product. These products contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. Slow-release fertilizers release their nutrients over several months instead of just one month. This means they won’t burn up quickly.
Fertilizing your lawn will increase the overall health of your lawn. It will make your lawn look better and feel softer. When selecting a fertilizer, choose a product that contains a balanced combination of macro and micronutrients.
Fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are known as NPK fertilizers. Nitrogen promotes new leaf growth and green color. Phosphorus encourages root development and improves the appearance of fine stems. Potassium strengthens the cell walls of leaves and enhances disease resistance.
Weed Control
If you notice weeds growing in your lawn, you must take immediate action. Weeds compete with other plants for sunlight, moisture, and nutrients. By removing weeds, you help keep your lawn healthy and green.
When weeding, remove all weeds by hand or with weed killers before mowing. Use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut off the tops of weeds. Do not pull weeds; this damages the roots of nearby plants.
You should weed after each rainfall. During dry periods, weeds tend to germinate faster than during wet weather.
Pest Control
You shouldn’t worry about pests too much if you keep up with regular pest control measures. You should spray insecticides around the base of your plants to prevent them from growing. You can also buy pesticides that kill off aphids and mites.
Mulching
Mulch helps to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. You can mulch your St Augustine grass by spreading straw, leaves, pine needles, or wood chips around the base of your plant.
Aerating
Aeration is important because it allows oxygen to reach the roots of your St Augustine grass. To aerate, dig holes in the soil and fill them with air. You can do this manually or you can hire someone else to do it for you.
Seeding
If you have bare spots on your lawn, you may need to seed them with St Augustine grass. To do this, take a small amount of seed and scatter it over the bare spot. Cover the seeds with about 2 inches of soil. Keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. Once the seedlings emerge, remove the weeds around the seedling by hand.
Grubbing
Grubs are beneficial insects that eat harmful insects such as caterpillars. They feed on grubs and larvae. You can attract them by planting marigolds around your St Augustine grass. You can also spread some diatomaceous earth (DE) around your yard to get rid of grubs.
FAQs
How to Plant St. Augustine Grass?
You can’t buy St. Augustine grass seeds. You need to plant them instead. There are two methods for doing this: by planting plugs or laying sod. You should choose sod if you want a large lawn. You should choose plugs if you want a smaller lawn.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For St. Augustine Grass?
Most lawn experts recommend using a fertilizer with a 3-1-3 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This means that every three pounds contain one pound of nitrogen, one pound of phosphorous, and one pound of potassium. Water-soluble fertilizers should be used when your lawn needs immediate help. But make sure to follow the recommendations by the manufacturer for the best results.
When to Mow Newly Sodded St. Augustine?
Don’t mow your lawn until it has rooted. Check it out every day. Lawns should always be cut high. If the top layer of grass starts to fall off, then the grass isn’t putting down enough root growth. You shouldn’t mow if there aren’t any roots.
Conclusion
Hope, all the above guides will help you in maintaining St. Augustine grass. If you have any queries feel free to ask, our team will respond quickly.
Reference
https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/StAugustine.pdf
I am Ricky Martin, a seasoned landscape designer, a passionate gardener, and a barbecue enthusiast. With 12 years of experience in building and restoring, I welcome you to my website lawnscanner.com
