If water begins running into the streets or gutters, note how long it took before run-off occurred. Further, St. Augustine Grass can survive high temperatures and drought conditions. It is also a hardy grass, which makes it ideal for hotter climates. Continue the recommended mowing practices until the grass goes dormant and does not require mowing. Herbicides containing 2,4-D should be used with care, as St. Augustinegrass is sensitive to this herbicide. In areas of heavy traffic, aeration can help eliminate compacted soils. High levels of soil phosphorus can also lead to deficiencies in iron and zinc. Lawn aerification is done by using this machine to punch steel tubes, called tines, into the turf and soil, which in turn removes plugs (cores) of turf, thatch and soil from the lawn. This is a process which is done by the use of a lawn coring machine, which can either be hired, or a contractor can be brought in to do the job for us. If the soil remains warmer than 60 degrees all year, the grass will stay green. Consider spraying sulfate at a rate of 2 ounces to 3-5 gallons of water per 1000 square feet. Water logging in Saint Augustine turf is a soil drainage issue, so repairing soil drainage will be the primary focus of this article to fix this problem and try to bring our Saint Augustine lawn back to full health. Begin watering again and continue for the time youâve determined. Watering St. Augustine Lawns Many homeowners will confuse this rot with take-all root rot because of the yellow coloring of the leaves. Apply herbicides only when weeds are present and when the grass is healthy and actively growing. The lawn should then be top dressed with a coarse sand, which is raked into the holes in the turf and soil. If the leaves on St. Augustine grass begin to show a slight curling, it is a sign they probably have received too much water. Torpedo grass is a hard-to-control weed in beds and nearly impossible to control in St. Augustine grass. Winter annual grass and broadleaf weeds are not common in St. Augustinegrass. St. Augustine grass is usually dormant during the colder winter and fall seasons. What really counts for this grass is the soilâs pH. It’s the very fine particles within these soil types which causes them to stick so closely together, and thus preventing the free flowing of water through the earth. I water the grass weekly to keep St Augustine green and alive. Grass with deeper roots is more drought-resistant than grass with shallower roots, the university says. Wetting agents help soils to more freely circulate and flow water, and as such will allow a water logged lawn soil to more freely disperse of excess water in its profile. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a coarse, dense, fast-growing grass suitable in warm, humid climates. At that time, apply a low nitrogen, highpotassium fertilizer. As it would be impossible for us to even consider individual soil analysis for the reader's home lawn in this article. A thatchy lawn is prone to drought and insect damage. If however the soil in the gardens needed major improvement to create the desired result, then the same would be true for the lawn area, and major soil work would need to be undertaken, which cannot be done with an existing lawn. The best mowing height for St. Augustine is 2.5â â 4â. Run-off from watering a lawn can waste a significant amount of water, which is costly and a poor use of a limited natural resource. When this is the case, a matted depression will be left by your footprints. The most effective time to treat for white grubs is in August when they are immature and close to the soil surface. Using a ruler, measure the depth of water caught in each individual can, and record the depths. 3. 5 cans = 0.5 inch of water in 30 minutes. Then donât water again until the grass shows symptoms of drought stressâa dull, bluish color, rolled or folded leaves, and footprints that do not âspri⦠Example: If the sprinklers sprayed 1 /2 inch of water in 30 minutes and wet the soil to a depth of 3 inches, you would need to apply 1 inch of water to wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Iron is also a vital nutrient for St Augustine grass. If the grass does not have enough leaf blades left for photosynthesis the grass will die. Covering many different lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn care practices for St Augustine grass lawns. When St Augustine grass is going off brown after deprived of water for a long period of time; it is dying. St. Augustine grass is a common choice for lawns because of its low maintenance and quick growing cycle. Fertilize overseeded lawns once in December and again in February with 1 /2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, using a nitrogen-only fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate (21-0-0). To maintain St. Augustine lawns with a dense green look proper, watering, and mowing, are always essential factors to be considered. And the best way for them to do this is with a working knowledge of their garden areas of the same property and how those garden areas have responded to soil improvements to repair the water logging problem of the soil. Set out five or six open-top cans randomly around the lawn (tuna or cat food cans work best). Plant St. Augustine grass during summer. Do not cheat to water your grass, if you cannot water honestly on the days and times allowed and get your sod to grow, you need to remove some grass not use more water. St. Augustinegrass is very sensitive and may be injured by some herbicides, such as 2,4-D. Read the label carefully before applying any herbicide to ensure that it is the right product for the weeds you have and that you do not injure the turf. Watering makes the ground more malleable and gives the roots of the St. Augustine grass plugs immediate moisture. These plugs will need to be removed, either by the use of a rotary mower to catch them and pick them up, or by raking them up and disposing of them. Follow all instructions on the label. These climatic conditions usually occur in spring about the time redbud and dogwood trees begin to bloom. So what's the solution for these real problem soil types? If the soil adjustment was only minor, then coring etc should work equally as well for the Saint Augustine lawn. The mower setting should be between 2 to 2½ inches high. When you do water, wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches. When appropriately cared for, St. Augustine Grass is dense enough to handle normal amounts of foot traffic and shield against weeds. Plants make their food (sugars) in the leaf blades using sunlight. When St. Augustine grass suffers from this type of fungus, the movement of water and nutrients is unable to get to the roots of the grass, making its leaves turn yellow and die. Mowing:Mow the lawn slightly lower than the regular summer mowing height. As a result of this, the Saint Augustine lawn can become constantly water logged, which in turn will make the turf soft and weak and easily damaged from normal wear and tear conditions, the lawn will be far more susceptible to moss, bare patches, diseases, weeds and pests, and will always be unsightly from the resulting recurring damage. The water should not pool on top of the sod or run off of it. Welcome to Saint Augustine Lawn Care. The trick is to water only when the grass needs it. The water you apply should soak in, not remain on the soil surface. For soils which have major water logging problems, the lawn aerification process can be repeated once a year until the lawn and soil is fully draining and no longer retains excess water. Wetting agents can also be applied by turf professionals. Be aware that fertilizers containing iron may stain concrete, brick or stone surfaces. Hello. Postemergent weed control is most effective if you apply the herbicide when the weeds are still very small. Being a warm-season turfgrass, St. Augustine grows best during summer. St. Augustine Maintenance and Care. However, if your St. Augustine grass is turning brown or is getting hard, donât be afraid to water it. Your county Extension agent can give you an estimate of that date in your area. Apply postemergent herbicide as needed. Water a new St. Augustine lawn two times per day for the first 3 weeks then cut back to a normal seasonal schedule. âPeople get stingy with the water, especially when people are clamoring about a water shortage or drought time, and theyâll cut back on the water. Our work makes a difference, in the lives of Texans and on the economy. To control summer annual grassy weeds (e.g. You cannot let it dr⦠Follow the label directions for the rate of application. Routinely check for these pests and treat as necessary. Use a core-aerating machine when the grass is actively growing. It happens to grow best in sandy soil, though, as this gives it enough drainage. St. Augustinegrass lawns should experience no detrimental insect activity during the winter. As a result of this, the Saint Augustine lawn can become constantly water logged, which in turn will make the turf soft and weak and easily damaged from normal wear and tear conditions, the lawn will be far more susceptible to moss, bare patches, diseases, weeds and pests, and will always be unsightly from the resulting recurring damage. The probe will push through wet soil easily, but it is more difficult to push through dry soil. Extended periods of hot and dry weather, St. Augustine grass might start to die. The result will be the lawn is then filled with thousands of holes, with the cores left sitting on top of the lawn. Raise the level of your mower to 4 or 5 inches for St. Augustine grass. Irrigation may be needed to supplement natural rainfall. (See L-1766, âChinch Bugs in St. Augustine Lawns,â and L-1131, âWhite Grubs in Texas Turfgrass,â available from Texas Cooperative Extension at http://tcebookstore.org. Use a garden spade or a soil probe to find out how deeply the soil was wet during the 30- minute period. Despite the benefits of St. Augustine grass, many homeowners opt to have their lawn maintained by a professional so they donât have to ⦠Apply postemergent herbicides as needed. St. Augustine grass requires approximately ¾ inch of water two times a week. Even though St. Augustinegrass is normally dormant in winter, you may still need to water it periodically when the weather is warm, dry and windy. During this period just increase the frequency of watering your lawn to bring back its green. First, the lawn owner must judge for themselves whether the combination of lawn coring, coarse sand replacement and wetting agents will work for their own lawn environment. If the lawn is watered deeply enough and dry, brown patches are still in the St. Augustine grass, then water may not be the problem. The timing of preemergence herbicide application will vary greatly in Texas due to the onset of soil-warming temperatures required for weed germination. Their large leaves mean they have higher water needs than grass, meaning during a drought, the weeds will absorb any available water before your turf can get to it. One of the disadvantages of St Augustine grass is its poor wear tolerance. Do not apply water faster than the soil can absorb it. It also requires nitrogen-rich soil which is important to keep in mind when choosing a fertilizer. The best way to bring it back is to start watering it about 3 times a week. It will, however, slow in growth as the soil drops in temperature. This may eventually contribute to eutrophication of streams and lakes. 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. Download a printer-friendly version of this publication: Maintaining St. Augustinegrass Lawns (pdf), View more Gardening & Landscaping information ». Be careful not to set the mower too low, as it may scalp the lawn. To do so you must water for 1 hour. Continue watering until the EZ Patch⢠is completely saturated and no more water is being absorbed which may take several minutes. After two weeks, soak the lawn in up to half an inch daily. Wetting agents will eventually break down and the process will need to be repeated a couple of times a year for water logged lawns, sometimes more often if the owner so wishes. Turn the water on early in the morning and again in the early afternoon. Insect damage, especially from chinch bugs, looks much like drought damage in grass. crabgrass and goosegrass), apply preemergent herbicides (which control weeds as the seeds germinate). For more information see the Web site at https://aggieturf.tamu.edu. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences, Blackland Income Growth Virtual Conference, Ranchers Agricultural Leasing Workshop: Online course, Connecting Agriculture and Health â From the Ground Up: online, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc8xY2YuOfM. Rise and Shine (and Water). Continue this cycle until the appropriate amount of water has been applied to wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches. This coarse sand will allow for far greater water flow through the soil, as well as allowing more oxygen to the roots of the turf, both of which are vital to good lawn health, and in aiding in the reducing of water retention of the soil. Use enough water to keep the root system wet, but do not flood the turf. One persistent myth is that St Augustine needs less water in the winter. We advize the use of a contractor due to the weight and difficulty of the machine for new users to safely operate. Continue fertilizing as recommended until 4 to 6 weeks before the first expected frost. This is the maximum amount of time you should water at one time. Some homeowners prefer a finer bladed grass instead of the coarse texture of Saint Augustine grass. Apply no more than 1 /2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Many regions have soil types which have a heavy silt or clay content which often results in the soil constantly retaining too much water at all times. St. Augustine grass is medium to dark green and coarse grass, additionally it has a low, dense growth habit. When you know how much water was applied in 30 minutes and how deeply that volume of water wet the soil, then determine how long you must water to wet the soil to a depth of 6 inches. St. Augustine needs more water than most of our other lawngrasses (fescue excepted). Follow the same recommendations as for March through May. Even the easiest of grasses, however, can become thin if not cared for properly. Saint Augustine grass really does like a good drink of water, and will show signs of stress including seeding and discoloration when the lawn isn't getting enough water for its requirements. 4. New-style irrigation controllers allow you to water several times a day, so you can program them to prevent run-off. A small site where one man shares his love for and knowledge of Saint Augustine grass lawns. Give it enough water to dampen the first 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil. Water the turf deeply to achieve the right amount of water your turf needs. During the summer months, healthy St. Augustine can only go 1 to 5 days between irrigation events, based on the heat index (Myers & Horn, 1969). St. Augustine grass is pretty hardy and can tolerate salty soil and ocean air though it has a tendency not to tolerate extreme cold very well, turning brown in the winter and green again in the spring. If possible, use a mower with a bagger to collect the clippings and remove the dead material left from winter dor⦠Thatch (a surface layer of undecomposed plant stem and roots) is likely to form on St. Augustinegrass lawns that are heavily fertilized and watered. If the grass is extremely short, too much energy will be put into growing new blades of grass and not enough energy will be put into growing the root system. If the thatch layer is more than 3 /4 inch thick, it can be removed gradually by mowing the lawn with a vertical mower or scalping the lawn (cutting with a rotary mower at its lowest setting) in April or May when the grass is healthy and actively growing. Be sure to read Can You Dethatch St. Augustine Grass? Now for diseases, Augustine has a lot of disease/ pest and maintenance issues, but the most common are Grubs, Chinch bugs, Fungus and Thatch. This is called photosynthesis. Herbicides may damage the lawn if you apply them when the temperature is higher than 90 ºF. If you water adequately to bring it back to life, you may need to do a total of about 1 ½ inches of ⦠Thanks for visiting, I hope some of these lawn care tips may be of use on your own home lawns. Wetting agents will in no way be a cure to heavy water logged lawns, but should instead be considered as an aid in the repair of the problem in addition to lawn aeration, and as an aid to help water circulate more freely in the soil for as long as they remain active. Weakened turf needs even more water. To prevent yellowing caused by iron chlorosis, apply liquid or granular iron fertilizer throughout the growing season. *Always follow Local and State laws in regards to watering restrictions. Listed are lawn care tips on watering and mowing which will be helpful, and can save money in the long run. As for the type of care St. Augustine grass needs, this warm-season grass likes moisture and should be watered deeply. Turn on the sprinklers or irrigation system for 30 minutes. Because once we get beyond those few inches - we're right back to the cause of the problem, which is the same clay or silt based soil which is still causing exactly the same problem. Other Topics On Saint Augustine Lawn Care, independent lawn care tips for saint augustine grass lawns, lawn mowing tips and tricks for all lawns, correct lawn watering for healthier grass, Saint Augustine Grass | Buffalo Grass | Stenotaphrum secundatum, Preparing Sandy Soil For New St Augustine Lawn, Fertilization Of St Augustine Grass For Winter, Reel Lawn Mower Heights for St Augustine Grass, Saint Augustine Lawn Mowing Heights In Shade, Best Time Of Year To Plant A New St Augustine Lawn, Controling Seeding In Saint Augustine Grass, Controling St Augustine Thatch With Mowing, Lawns Turning Brown - Reasons and Solutions, Remove Excessive Shade For Better Lawn Health, Solutions To When An Entire Lawn Is Discolored, Solving Extreme Thatching In St Augustine Lawns, Why Does Saint Augustine Grass Develop Thatch. When fall temperatures drop with the first frost or when water fails during a dry spell in July, your st. Augustine grass will naturally turn brown. Calculate the average depth of water of all the cans. In the first few weeks after putting down St. Augustine grass, your lawn will require a strict watering schedule of several light waterings per day. The reason for this is that the tines which create the holes in the turf and soil can only go so deep, perhaps only an inch or few at best, and for heavy clay based soils this just will not do the job adequately. Unlike many other warm-weather grasses, St. Augustine can handle moderate shade, most soil types, and higher salt levels. It explains how and when to use the product and how much to apply. âKeep it wet,â Orr says. An underground irrigation system, flag the sprinkler heads first to avoid damaging them absorb it treat as necessary of. In regards to watering restrictions also lead to deficiencies in iron and zinc, heat, salt and drought. Local and State laws in regards to watering restrictions spring about the time redbud and trees... 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