How to Get St. Augustine Grass to Grow Thick

St. Augustine grass is not as tolerant to heavy foot traffic as other grass species.

St. Augustine is a warm climate grass that is valued for its green to blue-green color and ability to establish quickly. It is highly adaptable to a range of soil conditions. It can, however, succumb to damage if overfertilized. St. Augustine grass is not seeded like other grass types, but is planted by vegetative cuttings or sod. To have a thick, lush St. Augustine lawn, you must make sure that you properly sow it and that you adhere to proper maintenance practices once you establish it.

Things You'll Need

• Topsoil, if needed,
• Spreader for fertilizer
• St. Augustine sod, sprigs or plugs
• Starter fertilizer
• Garden rake
• Hose and sprinkler
• Fertilizer program
• Rotary lawn mower

Instructions

Establishing New Lawns

1. 

   Preparing a smooth and well-drained surface is critical for lawn establishment.

   Prepare your site to accept the St. Augustine sprigs, plugs or sod. This may mean applying a layer of new topsoil over bare areas or you may just have to loosen the existing soil with a garden rake. St. Augustine grass is not tolerant of too much water, so ensuring that the soil is well drained and that the lawn has no low areas where standing water can accumulate is critical for successful establishment.

2. 

   Sod is the quickest, but costliest way to establish a St. Augustine lawn.

   Plant the St. Augustine sprigs, plugs or sod. Plant sprigs in rows 6 to 12 inches apart. Plant plugs 6 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 6 to 12 inches apart. Lay sod so that the ends are tightly butted together and that the seams of the adjacent row overlap as in a running-bond brick pattern. Do this in the spring when lawns are actively growing so that the roots can establish quickly.

3. 

   Do not overwater St. Augustine grass as it is not tolerant of excess moisture.

   Irrigate the newly planted lawn. St. Augustine does not need to be kept as moist as other lawn types. Water in short five to 10 minute cycles several times per day for the first seven to 10 days after planting. Apply 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water daily for the next seven to 10 days. For the subsequent three to four weeks, water two to three times per week at a rate of 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water. Water only as needed after that.

4. 

   Use rotary mowers and not reel-type mowers for St. Augustine grass.

   Mow the new lawn at least two weeks after planting and only if the lawn is well rooted in. Use a rotary mower with sharp blades and do not collect the clippings. Remove only one-third of the total lawn height when mowing.

5. 

   Use a fertilizer formulated for lawns in your part of the country.

   Fertilize the newly established lawn 30 to 60 days after planting. Use a complete lawn fertilizer at a rate not to exceed 1/2 to 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn area. The first number on a bag of fertilizer represents the percentage of nitrogen in that bag, not the pounds. Calculate accordingly.

Maintaining Established Lawns

1. 

   Dethatching should be done before the warmest part of the summer.

   Dethatch St. Augustine grass lawns in early spring to early summer if the thatch layer is 1 inch thick or greater. Use a vertical mower or dethatcher at the proper depth. Thatch, a layer of organic matter that builds up between the soil surface and the grass blades, can also be an issue in unmaintained lawns. If over 3/4 inch thick, thatch impedes proper growth and may harbor insects and diseases.

2. 

   Use a rain gauge to determine how much irrigation your lawn is getting.

   Water St. Augustine grass lawns only on a supplemental, as-needed basis. Apply 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water to the lawn when 30 to 50 percent of the lawn shows signs of stress.

3. 

   Know which variety of St. Augustine grass you have, as heights vary from 2 to 4 inches.

   Mow St. Augustine grass lawns when they have reached a height of up to 4 inches. Mow at the highest setting, and remove no more than one-third of the grass per mowing. Return the clippings to the ground; do not remove them.

4. 

   The percentage of nitrogen in a bag of fertilizer determines how much to apply to the lawn.

   Fertilize St. Augustine grass lawns in the spring with 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn area. You can apply applications of up to 1 pound of actual nitrogen can through fall at six-week intervals. Do not exceed 4 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn per year.

Tips & Warnings

• St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass and will not perform well in cooler northern climates.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns; L. E. Trenholm, et al.; May 1991
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; St. Augustinegrass Maintenance Calendar; Trent Hale, et al.; September 2005
• North Carolina State University; St. Augustinegrass; Arthur H. Bruneau, et al.; April 2008
• Clemson Cooperative Extension; St. Augustinegrass; Bob Polomski, et al.; March 1999
• Alabama Cooperative Extension Service; St. Augustinegrass Lawns; Jeffery M. Higgins; December 1998