St. Augustine grass is a top pick for homeowners in Texas, due to its beautiful and lush look. It also helps that St. Augustine grass thrives in warm seasons. It has carpet- like blades that do well at crowding out potential weeds. It seems to be a no brainer for us North Texans, but knowing how to care for St. Augustine grass is very important and will keep your lawn looking its best.
St. Augustine Grass Maintenance Tips
St. Augustine requires routine maintenance, especially during warmer months as it grows quicker then. Since you will be mowing more often in the summer, we recommend a routine of very five days to two weeks, depending on the time of year. There is definitely a lot to know about this type of turf, so we are breaking down the top tips for creating a healthy lawn.
Keep grass blades three to four inches long when mowing: If you mow shorter the grass will become too thin, which allows weeds to grow causing issues for you as the homeowner. Also, St. Augustine grass spreads predominately by long vines known as “runners” that stack on top of each other; mowing too short will catch these runners and yank them, injuring the grass.
Remove most of the thatch that accumulates: Since St. Augustine is so thick it will accumulate thatch above the surface soil, this is not always but as thatch provides nutrients, but too much prevents soil from receiving air and moisture.
Aerate your lawn to break up compacted soil. Aeration allows the grass that has become tightly compacted to loosen up. This will allow the proper nutrients to reach the roots. Aerating is best done at the beginning of spring as soon as the late frost is over, this will allow you to create a healthy environment.
·Apply pre-emergent herbicide or sod to any bare areas of your turf, after aerating.
Fertilize in the early spring and every six to eight weeks during the growing season. Just like other turfs, fertilizing is key when giving your lawn that extra boost and after aeration is the best time to apply fertilizers. Fertilizing gives St. Augustine the vital nutrients it needs, like iron which is harder for the turf to obtain.
St. Augustine grass needs about one inch of water per week. It can be delivered via water hose or rainfall. Make sure not to overwater, it will result in water pools that will keep the lawn damp and leave your grass prone to fungus.
Getting The Lawn Care You Deserve
St. Augustine is a type of grass that is more inviting when cared for properly. It does require maintenance, but it is worth the outcome. Chorbie experts specialize in St. Augustine grass as well as many other turfgrasses, contact us for your lawn care or landscaping needs today!
