Below
are suggested management practices designed
as a guideline to assist lawn care professionals
and homeowners in the maintenance of a St. Augustine
lawn. Location, terrain, soil type and condition,
age of the lawn, previous lawn care, and other
factors affect turf performance. For these reasons,
the following management practices can be adjusted
to suit your particular home lawn conditions.
Mowing
Mow
Palmetto St. Augustine grass with a rotary-type
mower set to cut at approximately 2-3 inch height.
Try not to remove more than 1/3 of the leaf
at any one cutting. Catch and remove clippings
if possible.
Fertilization
Spring
- When grass begins to green up in spring apply
a Centipede & St. Augustine fertilizer,
such as 18-0-18. Broadcast fertilizer using
a rotary-type spreader following spreading rates
recommended on bag.
Summer
- In mid-summer apply 18-0-18 again, if necessary.
If turf appears yellowed this may indicate chlorosis
and an application of iron using a product such
as Iron-Plus can help for deep greening. Broadcast
fertilizer or iron granules using a rotary-typespreader
following spreading rates recommended on bag.
Fall
- In early to mid fall apply a Fall Feed/Winterizer,
such as 5-5-20, preferably containing a weed
preventer such as Barricade. Broadcast fertilizer
using a rotary-type spreader following spreading
rates recommended on bag.
Irrigation
Though
drought tolerant, St. Augustine might like infrequent
deep watering during prolong periods of dry
weather. Do not over-water (avoid standing water
for any period of time). A gray-green color
and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate
that it is time to water. NOTE:
Always water during the early to late morning
hours and never at night. Watering at night
will often lead to fungal development.
Weed
Control
Apply
a granular preemergence herbicide such as Team
2G in early to mid February to prevent the emergence
of spring weeds such as crabgrass. Late spring,
summer applications of preemergence herbicides
may also be applied.
To
kill weeds that have emerged postemergence herbicides
can be applied. Atrazine is the herbicide we
recommend for use on St. Augustine lawns. Apply
postemergence herbicides only when weeds are
present and make sure to wait until three weeks
after the lawn is green. Be sure the product
is labeled for use on St. Augustine and always
be careful to follow mixing and applications
and instructions on product label. Spot treating
is recommended.
Thatch
Removal
Periodically
it may be necessary to remove accumulated thatch
and debris. This is best accomplished in the
late winter - just before turf turns green.
Scalp or rake heavily and remove debris. |