St. Augustine grass is a warm-season turfgrass that spreads aggressively, permitting it to rapidly fill an space. Nevertheless, establishing a lush and wholesome St. Augustine garden requires cautious planning and correct care. Proceed beneath for the whole lot you’ll want to learn about efficiently rising and sustaining St. Augustine grass in your property.
When to Plant St. Augustine Grass
One of the best time to plant St. Augustine grass is when the climate is heat. This warm-season grass goes dormant and turns brown in chilly climate. Wait till the possibility of frost has handed, and daytime temperatures stay above 70° F earlier than planting plugs, sprigs, or sod. Planting in late spring is good as a result of early summer time temperatures encourage fast progress.
Making ready the Planting Space
Correct soil preparation helps St. Augustine grass set up a wholesome root system. Satisfactory moisture is important, requiring each day watering for the primary few weeks after planting. To organize the planting space:
- For sprigs, plugs, or sod, until the soil to a depth of at the least 6 inches. Add compost or different natural matter if vital to offer extra vitamins. Rake clean to create a fair floor.
- Degree any low spots or excessive areas, as St. Augustine thrives finest on flat floor. Fill in dips within the terrain and break up any mounds.
- Take a look at the soil pH, which needs to be between 5.0 and eight.5 for St. Augustine grass. Add lime if the soil is simply too low (acidic) or sulfur if it’s too excessive (alkaline).
- Apply starter fertilizer particularly formulated for St. Augustine grass on the time of planting.
Planting Strategies for St. Augustine Grass
There are a number of choices for establishing St. Augustine grass in a brand new garden or increasing protection in an current one.
Plugs are small 3–4 inch squares of grass with roots and a small quantity of soil. Dig holes and place the plugs about 12 inches aside. Gently agency the soil round every plug and canopy with straw to retain moisture.
Sprigs are 3–4 inch items of stem that include nodes the place roots will type. Use a shovel or spade to create trenches about 4 inches deep and 12 inches aside. Cowl with 1–2 inches of soil and water completely.
Sodding affords full, prompt protection with the right preparation. Place sod items tightly collectively so gaps don’t type as they develop. Roll sod after planting for finest outcomes.
Seeding isn’t vital, as St. Augustine seeds could be laborious to search out and have a low germination fee. If vital, nevertheless, unfold seeds simply earlier than the wet season for finest outcomes. Cowl flippantly with soil and hold moist. Germination takes 14–30 days.
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Whatever the planting technique, correct watering is essential. Water each day till the grass takes root and turns into established, which generally takes 4–6 weeks. After that, water 2–3 occasions per week.
Fertilizing Newly Planted St. Augustine Grass
Fertilizer supplies the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and different vitamins St. Augustine grass must unfold and thrive. Apply starter fertilizer when planting sod, sprigs, or plugs. Choices embody:
Granular Fertilizers
Select a slow-release formulation that gives longer diet and unfold it with a broadcast spreader. When making use of to newly planted sod, use half the really useful fee two weeks after planting. Fertilize once more 4 weeks after planting with a full software.
Liquid Fertilizers
Connect to the irrigation system or spray on with a hose-end sprayer to offer speedy however shorter-term vitamins. Fertilize two weeks after planting and month-to-month all through the primary rising season.
In the course of the second season, fertilize St. Augustine 3–4 occasions beginning in early spring, permitting 6–8 weeks between purposes. Apply at half the really useful fee when grass shouldn’t be actively rising in summer time.
Upkeep Ideas for St. Augustine Grass
Common upkeep is essential to conserving St. Augustine grass wholesome and searching its finest. Correct upkeep contains:
- Water established lawns 2–3 occasions per week, offering 1–2 inches of water every week to stop browning and dormancy.
- Mow steadily, eradicating not more than 1/3 of the overall blade size every time. St. Augustine needs to be 2–4 inches tall.
- Management weeds with pre-and post-emergent herbicides labeled for St. Augustine. You can even hand-pull small weed infestations.
- Dethatch in spring and fall to stop the buildup of lifeless grass stems and roots. Thatch prevents air, water, and vitamins from reaching the soil.
- Aerate compacted areas in spring or fall to assist the grass develop deeper roots.
- Apply preventive fungicides to keep away from illnesses like brown patches, grey leaf spots, and take-all root rot.
- Don’t take away dormant brown grass in winter except you intend to re-sod in spring. Exposing dormant roots could kill the grass.
So, Is Spreading St. Augustine Grass Well worth the Effort?
Whereas St. Augustine grass could take a number of weeks to determine and requires common upkeep, its shade and drought tolerance make it a prized selection for warm-season lawns. With correct care and preparation, you’ll get pleasure from a lush and dense garden of inexperienced grass.
FAQs About St. Augustine Grass
Does St. Augustine grass unfold quick?
Sure, St. Augustine spreads comparatively rapidly, aboveground and beneath floor. Established St. Augustine ought to utterly fill an space inside one yr. Fertilizing can velocity up the unfold.Sure, St. Augustine spreads comparatively rapidly, aboveground and beneath floor. Established St. Augustine ought to utterly fill an space inside one yr. Fertilizing can velocity up the unfold.
What’s the most shade-tolerant St. Augustine grass?
Seville St. Augustine is probably the most shade-tolerant cultivar, in a position to develop in partial solar. Most varieties want full solar for optimum progress.
Is St. Augustine grass high-maintenance?
St. Augustine requires extra water and care than some grasses however lower than others. Preserve it by mowing, fertilizing, aerating, and dethatching. It additionally boasts robust illness and bug resistance.
How do you revive St. Augustine grass?
To revive St. Augustine, aerate compacted areas, re-sod patches, apply fertilizer and natural matter, alter watering, and use fungicides or pesticides as wanted.
What’s the hardiest St. Augustine grass kind?
Palmetto St. Augustine is taken into account the hardiest cultivar total, with good resistance to illnesses, drought, and shade.
Jonathon Jachura is a two-time home-owner with hands-on expertise with HVAC, gutters, plumbing, garden care, pest management, and different facets of proudly owning a house. He’s captivated with house upkeep and discovering the very best providers. His predominant objective is to coach others with crisp, concise descriptions that any home-owner can use. Jon makes use of his robust technical background to create participating, easy-to-read, and informative guides. He does most of his house and garden initiatives himself however hires skilled firms for the “massive issues.” He is aware of what goes into discovering the very best service suppliers and contractors. Jon studied mechanical engineering at Purdue College in Indiana and labored within the HVAC trade for 12 years. Between his varied house enchancment initiatives, he enjoys the outside, a very good cup of espresso, and spending time along with his household.
Sabrina Lopez is a senior editor for As we speak’s Home-owner with over 7 years of writing and modifying expertise in digital media. She has reviewed content material throughout classes that matter to owners, together with HVAC providers, house renovations, garden and backyard care, merchandise for the house, and insurance coverage providers. When she’s not reviewing articles to ensure they’re useful, accessible, and interesting for owners like herself, Sabrina enjoys spending time together with her household and their two parrots.