It forms a dense mat over the ground that helps to suppress the growth of weeds. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases. Late Summer (August): Fertilize with 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. Proper nutrition is very important for sustaining a healthy lawn. organic fertilizers provide many benefits that synthetic ones cant. Table 2. In the spring, do not apply nitrogen containing fertilizers until the soil temperature at the 4" depth is constantly 65F and rising. If a soil test indicates a higher soil pH, sulfur can be applied to lower it. Following proper cultural practices is the best defense against this disease. 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. For more information, refer to HGIC 1207, Watering Lawns and HGIC 1225, Conservative Turfgrass Irrigation.
PDF St. Augustinegrass Lawn Calendar Grubs can be seen feeding on the roots at this level. Fertilization and other cultural practices influence the overall health and quality of the lawn and reduce its vulnerability to numerous stresses, including weeds, insects, and disease. "Scalping," or mowing grass too short, can injure the lawn. Balance a consistent fertilizer schedule with the proper mowing height, weed control, and irrigation schedule for a thick carpet of vigorous grass. Use a lawn mower with a bag attached or hand rake to collect and properly dispose of the turf material pulled up. February to Early March - 2-in-1 pre-emergent herbicide (Preferably Barricade or Dimension-based) March to April . 'Classic' is a proprietary cultivar released in the early 2000s by Woerner Turf. Compost is not applied like a fertilizer. This could indicate an iron or manganese deficiency due to soil temperatures lagging behind air temperatures, high pH soils, or high phosphorous levels. adequate amounts of phosphorous and potassium. Stop fertilizing in the fall approximately 1 month before outdoor temperatures drop to around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Before fertilizing, you need to make sure that the new sod has rooted into the soil and is in good health. Small doses will result in a The mower blade needs to be sharpened on a regular basis usually about once a month or at least before the growing season starts. Thatch development is greatest in grass that is overfertilized or overwatered. However, if your lawn has an imbalance of these factors, it becomes
PDF Yearly Calendar for St. Augustinegrass Care and Culture It should be mowed to a height of 3.54 inches. Happily, the preventive measures required dovetail with the lawn care tasks you should be performing regularly (even if you don't fear a chinch bug infestation). leave footprints in the grass. the lawn, but you can help prevent water pollution by using a slow-release fertilizer St. Augustinegrass produces a green to blue-green dense turf that is well adapted to most soils and climatic regions in Florida. It is sometimes referred to as drought tolerant, but research has not shown that it has any greater degree of drought tolerance than other St. Augustinegrass cultivars. Use the same rule for watering the grass. gradually increase to 4 before summer. Insect Control: Any insects that were missed during the nymphal stage in the summer will have grown to a size where turfgrass damage is occurring. Most areas of South Carolina receive enough rainfall during the winter to avoid winter desiccation of lawns. Table 1 lists some relative growth characteristics for currently available cultivars. St. Augustine breaks dormancy in mid-spring. This will help to correct problems associated with poor infiltration and drainage. Shade tolerance has not yet been verified by university research, and there is no evidence that it is superior to other cultivars. As a warm-season turfgrass, plant St. Augustine grass in spring and summer in full sun with at least 90 days to establish before first frost. This is why they are the star players in fertilizer, while the other 13 equally-important nutrients are all but ignored unless plants show signs of deficiency. Additional damage may result from small animals digging through the soil profile in search of the mole crickets as food. For best prices, order compost from a local nursery supply company. St. Augustine grass and Bermuda grass perform best in the southern regions, or warmer parts of the United States. This turfgrass maintenance calendar may be used on turf grown throughout the state; however, management practices may need to be adjusted based on the years climate and the region where the turf is grown. 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. However, in the piedmont and midlands of SC where the turf is growing on clay soils, St. Augustinegrass is typically fertilized only twice during the growing season (early May and early July). She has an A.A.S. Apply an all-purpose lawn fertilizer thats high in nitrogen at the rate recommended on the package. During cooler weather, St. Augustine is susceptible to many St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum [Walt.] If a pre-emergent herbicide was not applied in the spring, the resulting weeds will need to be controlled using postemergent herbicides. 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. During certain times of the year, it generally needs supplemental irrigation. Refer to https://soilslab.ifas.ufl.edu/ESTL%20Home.asp for more information on obtaining and submitting a soil sample. Proper management practices can eliminate many weed problems. Conditioners are more than a quantifiable source of vitamins and minerals. Copyright 2023 Clemson UniversityClemson Cooperative Extension | 103 Barre Hall Clemson, SC 29634864-986-4310 | 1-888-656-9988 (SC residents only) | Contact UsHGIC@clemson.edu, Centipedegrass Yearly Maintenance Program, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. through above-ground runners and underground rhizomes, meaning they can be cut Ahead, learn what to look for when choosing the best fertilizer for St. Augustine grass, and find out why the following lawn fertilizers all fit the bill. Lime or sulfur may also be added if a soil test indicates a need. Chinch bugs will float to the water surface within 5 minutes. Applying fertilizer at a rate that exceeds the recommended rate, or applying it more often than is recommended, can result in faster grass blade growth but not necessarily healthier grass. your lawn appear healthy for a short time. St. Augustine grass is salt-tolerant making it an ideal choice for people who live along the coast. The fertilizer guidelines divide the state into three geographical locations as indicated in Table 2. Dig out and dispose of any diseased patches of sod as soon as you find them. These fertilizers will also release supporting nutrients, When applying a liquid fertilizerno. 'Bitterblue' was selected in the 1930s. The Innova organic fertilizer from The Andersons features a 7-1-2 NPK ratio and added amino acids in a slow-release formula. It will, however, result in more frequent mowing. The Florida Urban Turf Fertilization Rule (5E-1.003 F.A.C.) absorb and use nutrients. Fertilization: Fertilization of St. Augustinegrass should be based on soil test results, and this is a good time to test soil. This will allow the turf to become acclimated by the time the first frost occurs. It is also best to avoid temperature extremes if possible, especially if freezing temperatures are forecast. Apply inch of water per application. Water St. Augustine when the leaves get dark and your shoes It is important to provide irrigation on the correct schedule when grass is newly planted. Since its introduction to the market is still new, research is currently undergoing at University of Florida to identify best management practices for this cultivar. It has a medium green color and a coarse texture. Many cities have passed laws to limit the amount of nitrogen Excessive shade, compacted soils, over- or underwatering, improper mowing, traffic, and high or low pH can all cause a lawn to perform poorly. However, to achieve a lush lawn of St. Augustine grass, there is some work involved. It has poor wear tolerance and does not hold up to repeated foot or vehicular traffic. Fertilizing during this time will encourage weak, unsustainable growth, which is a prime target for cooler-weather diseases like brown patch fungus. The Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer with Humic DG. As the lawn prepares for winter, nutrient requirements lessen. Check for mole crickets by examining an area for tunnels or by applying 2 gallons of water mixed with 1 ounces of liquid detergent soap per 2 square feet in suspected damaged areas. It has a dark green color. Mole crickets and grub eggs will usually hatch mid-summer. When symptoms are noticeable aboveground, the disease is usually in an advanced stage. There will be small purplish spots on the leaves and at an advanced stage, the grass will have a scorched appearance. It is the least cold tolerant of the warm-season turfgrasses. your lawn. nutrients that plants need to thrive, plus it introduces beneficial microbes November 25, 2019 . And, just like a muscle, a lawn can only repair itself if it has adequate nutrition. If you have purchased the Scotts Turf Builder Annual Program, apply the Spring product now. St. Augustinegrass requires proper nutrition to maintain good cover and healthy growth characteristics. our free printable download. Contact the local County Extension Office, or the Home & Garden Information Center for positive identification and proper management strategies. For best results, follow the application rate on the bag and water the lawn after applying it. For more information on weed control, see HGIC 2310, Managing Weeds in Warm-Season Lawns. Check out the DynaTrap Mosquito & Flying Insect Trap Kills Mosquitoes, Flies, Wasps, Gnats, & Other Flying Insects Protects up to 1/2 Acre (link to Amazon). For more information on mowing, please refer to ENH10, Mowing Your Florida Lawn (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH028). will absorb a disproportionate amount of nitrogen before they can take in Planting, Care, Similar Grasses, and Disadvantages. In general, every 4 to 6 weeks is usually sufficient. There are other common St. Augustine grass fertilizer options available, including Scotts Southern Turf Builder Lawn Food and Pennington 100536576 UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer. Throughout the year, grass goes through stages of growth where it has different nutrient requirements. Grass clippings should be left on a lawn that is mowed at the proper height and frequency. 'Floratam' (left) and 'CitraBlue' (right). Verticutting should be done in an east to west or north to south pattern, but not in all four directions.
Laurie E. Trenholm, Marco Schiavon, J. Bryan Unruh, Travis W. Shaddox, and Kevin E. Kenworthy, 'Floratam' (Figure 2) is an improved St. Augustinegrass that was released jointly in 1973 by the University of Florida and Texas A & M University. The irrigation system should only be run when the entire lawn is dry. Compared to 'Floratam', 'ProVista' has a darker green color, better shade tolerance and similar leaf blades width. These areas should be kept continuously moist with light, frequent irrigations several times daily until runners develop or sod is well rooted. little water, pests will find a way into your yard. For more information on insect control, refer to ENY300, Insect Pest Management on Turfgrass (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG001). Sharpen your blade at least once per season. 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. This is not the best time to apply an insecticide because of the cool soil temperatures and reduced insect activity. down the dirt. To learn more about more about mosaic disease and SMV, please read EDIS #PP313 Mosaic Disease of St. Augustinegrass Caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP313). You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. St. Augustine grass is an aggressive grower and can compete with weeds. Gray leaf spot symptoms on St. Augustinegrass. the summer will only create the very issues that make your lawn look unhealthy, Fertilizer burn happens when too much nitrogen is used and scorches the leavessigns include yellow and brown discoloration and root damage. Weed Control: A selective, annual grass and/or broadleaf weed control pre-emergent herbicide that is labeled for use on St. Augustinegrass and applied during late winter and spring will reduce many weeds the following summer. It spreads via stolons. University of Florida guidelines for lawn grass fertilization offer a range of fertilizer rates over which a particular species may be successfully maintained in the various regions of the state. For St. Augustine, water once per week for 45 minutes 1.5 hours, depending on your soil structure. Leaving clippings on the lawn does not cause thatch because clippings are readily broken down by microbes in the soil. the fertilizer may sit and accumulate in sections of your lawn, and result in However, St. Augustine doesnt have Always mow at the highest recommended height for the cultivar and species. Look for folded leaf blades, as seen here. This way germinate. Chinch bugs are foliar-feeding insects that suck plant juices through a needlelike beak, causing yellowish to brownish patches in turf (Figure 7). So, before you begin any maintenance schedule, make sure you An infestation may cause the turf to die, which will need to be replaced or allowed to grow back in. In certain situations where large patch has been prevalent yearly, a preventative fungicide application may be needed starting in early October to stay ahead of the disease. To reach its full, lush potential, St. Augustine grass should be fertilized during the summer growing season. Its important to note that this fertilizer contains a small amount of phosphorus, the use of which is limited in some regions. It provides a gentle nitrogen boost to add color to St. Augustine grass while increasing the density of the lawn, and it does so without any synthetic ingredients. Most St. Augustine seed is naturally sterile. The ingredients include hydrolyzed feather meal, blood meal, meat meal, bone meal, and langbeinite. so a shot of fertilizer at the wrong time can force new, green growth when the Southern, Warm-Season Grasses. Insecticide applications targeted at the mole crickets in their smaller nymph stage are the most effective controls, even if damage has not yet occurred. It also contains an iron supplement for lawns experiencing an iron deficiency. Most fertilizer schedules will She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals. 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. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food. It is important to keep the blades sharp and well adjusted for a clean cut. Space the pieces of sod 1 to 2 feet apart and water faithfully. Bitterblue has a relatively fine, dense texture and dark blue-green color. before the lawn is able to absorb much, meaning youre washing time and money When gathering our list of top picks for St. Augustine grass fertilizer, we made sure to include as many types of fertilizer as possible to offer shoppers a range of options, from granules to liquid sprays. Consistent, vigorous growth helps the lawn resist pests and disease, and also helps it cope with potential drought conditions. As the roots grow downward, the fertilizer will be absorbed and boost plant health. It is rare to grow St. Augustine grass from seed. Other nutrients, like iron, calcium, sulfur, etc., are equally important for the plant, but less important in a fertilizer. are putting your effort into sustainable, healthy growth. Mole crickets, chinch bugs, spittlebugs, grubs, ground pearls, and nematodes can cause considerable damage. Spacing of plugs varies from 6 to 24 inches. Stick to a regular fertilizer schedule, and feed your lawn according to its grass type. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. Proper watering practices help maintain a healthy lawn that has fewer stress and insect problems. Lime or sulfur may be applied if recommended by a recent soil test. It has good cold and shade tolerance and is well adapted for use throughout the state. Repeatedly mowing at lower heights increases the stress on the lawn, discourages deep rooting, increases the chance for scalping if a mowing event is missed or postponed due to weather, and may increase susceptibility to pest problems (Figure 4). 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. Fertilizing it before that time may damage the grass. In heavily infested turf, the rounded areas may grow together and no longer appear circular. Certain weeds, such as dollarweed and sedges, also thrive in soils that are continuously wet. For more information on preparing the site and establishment, refer to ENH03, Establishing Your Florida Lawn (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh013). For more information, see fact sheets: HGIC 2156, White Grub Management in Turfgrass; HGIC 2155, Mole Cricket Management in Turfgrass; HGIC 2488, Two-lined Spittlebug; HGIC 2157, Bermudagrass Mite, Rhodesgrass Mealybug, & Groundpearl; and HGIC 2487, Chinch Bugs. St. Augustine grass is tolerant of a wide variety of soils and is moderately drought-tolerant once established, but it will perform best when you avoid either moisture extreme: too little or too much. Most warm-season grasses spread out Organically derived lawn fertilizer tends to come at a significantly higher cost than synthetic fertilizer, but Milorganites fertilizer derived from biosolids is affordable. 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. This formulas high dose of nitrogen is designed to strengthen root systems to create a thicker turf. Any all-purpose grass fertilizer will be sufficient, but be careful to follow the application instructions on the package. Timing is critical for successful control. St.-Augustine-Turf-Maintenance-Calendar.pdf. Early Summer (May): Apply to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in early May after the lawn fully greens up. Objectives:select plants native to Texas;explain biological characteristics of relevant grasses;describe soil factors;predict vegetation based on ecoregions;select seeds;prepare your seedbed;determine proper planting times;acquire necessary equipment;manage grasses once planted.
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