Ready-to-use mulch and fertilizer. After the lawn has become dormant, water as needed to prevent excessive dehydration. Late Summer (August): Fertilize with ½ to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, depending on soil type, before August 15 using a high potassium fertilizer such as 15-0-15. Be sure to use a sharpened mower blade. It’s normally a very aggressive spreader – in fact, most of the time I hear questions about how to stop it! St. Augustine doesn’t need a lot of water, it just needs it consistently. Important times to monitor the weather are during late winter or early spring when the turf is coming out of dormancy and early autumn when the first frost is forecasted. Insect Control: There are various insects and related pests that may infest St. Augustinegrass during the summer months. It combines grass seed, fertilizer, and a soil improver into an easy-to-use product that’s applied using a spreader. Weed Control: Many winter annual weeds can be managed by applying a pre-emergent herbicide in September with a second application 8 to 10 weeks later. Call 281-431-7441 for Help in Selecting the Best Grass Variety for Your Project Contact the local County Extension Office or the Clemson Home & Garden Information Center for identification and control of weeds in the lawn. Mowing: The ideal mowing height for St. Augustinegrass can range from 2½ to 4 inches depending on the specific site and management regime and is best determined by the growing conditions. For more information on mowing, refer to HGIC 1205, Mowing Lawns. Find St. Augustine grass & grass seed at Lowe's today. Be sure to not allow the lawn to stay excessively wet if the lawn has a clay soil. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove the dead material left from winter dormancy. Later, the center of the circle may start to re-green. Gardeners enjoy this grass type for its compressed grass blades that contribute a dense texture for lawns. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. When the leaf blades wilt, turn a blue-gray color or when footprints remain visible after walking in the grass, the lawn is in need of irrigation. Last frost dates and first frost dates can vary by several weeks from the coastal areas of South Carolina to the foothills of the Upstate. Additionally, do not apply post-emergence herbicides when the turf is emerging from winter dormancy or when the summer temperatures are 90 °F or higher. tallahassee lassie – posted 12 May 2005 12:35, Hmmmmmm,I guess I have learned something today.I grow several types of St.Augustine,but have never noticed that happen.I am going to observe my varieties closer to see.Any publications to support this?Thought it all was sterile.I have noticed the seed heads seem to be produced by the healthier grass.Thanks. This fertilizer may be especially important if the soils are sandy. If the turf stays wet, circular yellow to brown areas may begin to develop and slowly grow in size. This will help to correct problems associated with poor infiltration and drainage. To help reduce disease problems, fertilize and lime St. Augustinegrass according to a recent soil test report. One way is to observe the lawn daily. They are not all that common. Always mow with a sharp blade using a mulching type mower, which leaves the clippings to decompose on the turf. There are horticultural books that say St. Augustinegrass is propagated vegetatively because it produces no seed. Mole crickets and grub eggs will usually hatch mid-summer. The added moisture in the soil will help keep the growing points of the turf warmer, preventing crown death. St. Augustinegrass is a wide-bladed, spreading, warm-season turfgrass that is adapted to the warmer regions of the southeastern United States.Joey Williamson, ©2018 HGIC, Clemson Extension. Apply sulfur only when the air temperatures are below 75°F. There are several ways to determine when the lawn needs watering. If your cool-season lawn seems thin, fall is a great time to thicken it by overseeding before winter arrives. Another method is to walk across the lawn late in the evening. This is especially important if warm, bright days preceed days forecasted to be in the low 20’s or colder. That said, other weeds do produce seeds that grow, and it can be hard to tell the difference from a mower. Nutrient Deficiencies: A yellow appearance during the growing season may indicate an iron deficiency due to excessive phosphorus and/or a high soil pH. In my case the sections with them are very dense. Most areas of South Carolina receive enough rainfall during the winter to avoid winter desiccation of lawns. Watering to prevent drought stress can help eliminate turf loss during the winter. Sometimes St. Augustine grass will produce these seed heads. Fertilizer Calculations: To determine the amount of granular fertilizer needed to apply ½ pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, divide 50 by the first number on the fertilizer bag. Localized dry spots or hot spots can be watered as needed by hand. Please see HGIC 2151, Gray Leaf Spot on St. Augustinegrass. However, this is not always the case. Once the threat for spring frost has passed and the lawn is fully greened-up, lawn aerification may be combined with dethatching to alleviate soil compaction and thatch problems. St. Augustine grass varieties do not produce a harvest-able seed. Bermuda grass requires full sunlight all day long to grow optimally. Disease Control: For disease control, especially large patch, it is extremely important to treat with fungicides during the fall months. This could indicate an iron or manganese deficiency due to soil temperatures lagging behind air temperatures, high pH soils, or high phosphorous levels. Thatch Removal: If a thatch layer becomes a problem, use a dethatcher or vertical mower to remove it. This height reduction should be done just before the lawn greens up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. 85-sq ft … When the entire lawn appears dry, apply ¾ to 1 inch of water the next morning. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. It is not unusual for St. Augustinegrass to green up and be burnt back several times during the late winter or early spring due to late season frosts. Our lawn has some now and we like it a lot, but we’re having trouble finding seeds. Lawns in shady areas perform better when mowed at 3 to 4 inches high. St. Augustine grass can be planted in a variety of soil types with a pH range of 5.0 to 8.5. As for the type of care St. Augustine grass needs, this warm-season grass likes moisture and should be watered deeply. St Augustine will produce seedheads but the seeds don’t grow. Apply 5 lbs of pelletized sulfur per 1000 square feet of turf. Shop grass & grass seed and a variety of lawn & garden products online at Lowes.com. When the turf begins to dry, it will appear to have a bluish hue. With Palisades Zoysia and the St. Augustine grasses, you will end up pulling those grasses out of your flower beds because they are so aggressive and they do spread so rapidly. St. Augustine Grass Bermuda Grass; It requires at least 5 hours of direct sunlight to grow and thrive really well. Do not apply herbicides unless grass and weeds are actively growing and are not suffering from drought or heat stress; therefore, water the lawn thoroughly the day before application. Winter desiccation can be a problem during dry winters. Assuming the sticks I have ARE seeds pockets, I like the theory that seeds come out of healthy grass. The irrigation interval will vary from site to site depending on the environmental conditions at that site and soil type. Contact the local County Extension Office, or the Home & Garden Information Center for positive identification and proper management strategies. Overseed a Thin Lawn. Fertilization: Do not apply nitrogen at this time. Less sunlight will retard its growth due to reduced photosynthesis. If a weed problem begins and the grass has begun to green with warmer temperatures, wait until the grass has fully greened-up before applying a post-emergent herbicide. As temperatures start to warm in late spring, monitor for mole cricket and chinch bug activity. i guess they don’t have st. augustine in new jersey…. The addition of phosphorous, the middle number in the fertilizer analysis, should only be applied if recommended by a soil test. It grows well in hot, salty climates and can cope with drought. St. Augustine grass seed has not traditionally been easy to establish but new methods have made seeding a viable option. Weed Control: To control crabgrass, goosegrass, sandspurs, and other summer annual weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide early in the year. If the bag is picking up soil, mainly sand, when the lawn is mowed, then the blade may need to be sharpened more often than once a month. If the damage is minimal, monitor the activity and wait before applying an insecticide. Houston Grass South distributes St. Augustine, Bermuda and Zoysia grass sod grown on our family farm in Bay City, TX, where we’ve been growing top-quality grass for more than 30 years. This will allow the turf to become acclimated by the time the first frost occurs. If the soil stays saturated all winter, this can cause many other problems. However, the seed performed poorly and is no longer available. As with all pest control, proper weed identification is essential for best control options. Follow label directions as to post application watering. In heavily infested turf, the rounded areas may grow together and no longer appear circular. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Dormancy conserves the grass’s energy and prevents damage due to … To determine the amount of product required to apply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, divide 100 by the first number on the fertilizer bag. Fertilization: Fertilization of St. Augustinegrass should be based on soil test results, and this is a good time to test soil. “People get stingy with the water, especially when people are clamoring about a water shortage or drought time, and they’ll cut back on the water. Fertilizing with a micronutrient fertilizer, such as manganese sulfate, can alleviate manganese deficiencies. Use a lawn mower with a bag attached or hand rake to collect and properly dispose of the turf material pulled up. During periods of environmental stress due to high temperatures or a lack of rainfall, raise the mowing height ½ to 1 inch until the stress is eliminated. The mower setting should be between 2 to 2½ inches high. Sod farms cultivate new St. Augustine sod fields by planting small plantlets (plugs/sprigs) of St. Augustinegrass, which grow into a full field of sod in 8–12 months depending on the latitude of the sod farm. Monitor the winter rainfall on a regular basis, and apply water to the turf if no measurable rain occurs over a 3 to 4 week period. Sandy soils do not hold moisture well since they drain freely and dry out quicker. Mowing: Continue to mow St. Augustinegrass at the normal mowing height until the weather starts to cool in the fall. Heavy populations can be reduced with appropriately timed insecticide treatments during this period. For more information, refer to HGIC 1204, Lawn Renovation. You should, therefore, establish your lawn in mid-summer when conditions are great for the growth and spread of this grass species all over your lawn. Spray sufficiently to wet the foliage, but do not spray excessively. Damage is often more severe in sunny areas near driveways, sidewalks, or roadways, where the turfgrass is under more heat stress. St. Augustinegrass should be fertilized three times during the summer, as recommended below. St Augustine will produce seedheads but the seeds don’t grow. This is best done before the first frost. Gray leaf spot may occur on St. Augustinegrass during the heat of summer when the turf remains damp for extended periods, usually during rainy periods or on newly laid sod being kept wet. Absorbs 6X its weight in water. When to Plant St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass grows best in the warmth of spring and summer, when high temperatures are normally 80-100 °F. Irrigation: During dormancy, water the lawn to prevent excessive dehydration. About 4~6 inches tall, thick to the touch, with scales like seed pockets. If either insect is observed, apply a lawn insecticide when damage becomes excessive. Need help: Weed control for ornamental perennial peanut (rhizomes type)? If grubs (the white larvae of beetles, such as Japanese beetles) have been a problem in previous years, monitor them by cutting a square foot piece of sod on three sides and peeling it back. Katie. St. Augustinegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides, such as 2,4-D, so follow label directions for reduced mixing rates. Copyright © 2020 Phil Busey Agronomy Consulting Inc. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Paspalum grass for lawn | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener, Identification and History of Bitterblue St. Augustine – Turfgrass Producers of Florida, Identification and History of Bitterblue St. Augustinegrass. For more information, refer to HGIC 1207, Watering Lawns and HGIC 1225, Conservative Turfgrass Irrigation. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that grows well in full sun and moist soil in warm, coastal areas. AI Score. The general rule to turfgrass irrigation is to water “deeply and infrequently”. Unfortunately, between the front and back lawn I probably have 2 to 4 different types of turf. Disease Control: The most common diseases that affect St. Augustinegrass during the growing season are large patch (formerly known as brown patch) and gray leaf spot. If more than six grubs are found under the sod piece, apply a lawn insecticide labeled for grub control according to label directions. However, with cooler nights and shorter day lengths, control can be quite difficult because of slow turf recovery during this time. Things To Do When Saint Augustine Lawns Begin Seeding. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. Thanks for the fast response. St. Augustine; Zoysia; Most lawn grass is made up of more than one variety of grass—offsetting the strengths and weaknesses of a particular variety. If a pre-emergent herbicide was not applied in the spring, the resulting weeds will need to be controlled using postemergent herbicides. Q: Please tell me where I can buy St. Augustine grass seeds. For more information on weed control, see HGIC 2310, Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns. St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), sometimes referred to as Charleston grass, is a coarse-textured, spreading grass that is popular throughout warmer regions of the Southern United States. That said, other weeds do produce seeds that grow, and it can be hard to tell the difference from a mower. Mowing:Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height. Insecticide applications targeted at the mole crickets in their smaller nymph stage are the most effective controls, even if damage has not yet occurred. Not so fast, tallylassie, St. Augustinegrass seeds have high germination, over 70% in my experience. A chinch bug is a small black insect with silver wings that sucks plant juices from the stem. Is it TARR or just bad idea of Winter Rye? Clay soils, however, will hold moisture for a longer period of time. NOTE: A yellow appearance may also develop during early spring. This height reduction should be done just before the lawn greens up, which usually occurs during late April or early May. There was a time when St Augustine grass seed was being made available in limited quanities. Therefore, it is important to monitor temperatures and apply the needed management practices based on that year’s climate. You cannot let it dry … In most southern climates, St. Augustine grass is the coveted turf of choice, while Bermuda grass is an invasive nuisance. However, if a pre-emergent herbicide was applied late February to mid-March, postpone any cultivation practices that will disturb the soil until just before the next pre-emergent herbicide application date. St. Augustine grass is commonly planted in the Gulf Coast areas of the United States. In the coastal and more Southern regions of South Carolina, this generally will occur sometime during April, but further inland, this may be as late as mid-May. 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