How to Fertilize & Take Care of St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that cannot withstand temperatures that drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a couple of hours. When given the right conditions, St. Augustine grass provides a lush covering for a lawn. St. Augustine grass does not tolerate a lot of foot traffic or drought. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Preemergence herbicide
- Lawn mower
- Nitrogen fertilizer
- Garden hose or sprinkler
Instructions
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Apply a preemergence herbicide, if weeds are a problem, before the St. Augustine grass turns green in early spring. Follow the manufacture's instructions for safety and application process.
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Mow your St. Augustine grass as soon as the grass turns green in the spring. For the first couple of mows of the year, mow to a height of 2.5 to 4 inches. Later in the season, mow the grass to a lower height if you prefer. St. Augustine grass grows remarkably quickly. Continue to mow the grass every 5 to 7 days throughout the growing season. Cut back on mowing during dry spells.
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Fertilize St. Augustine grass by applying a nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 0.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Follow the manufacture's instruction for the correct application process of your fertilizer. Never over-fertilize your St. Augustine grass. Applying more than 3 lb. of fertilizer per 1000 square feet per year can cause thatch build-up in your grass.
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Water St. Augustine grass early in the morning using a garden hose or sprinkler. St. Augustine grass should receive 1 inch of water per week either from rain or supplemental watering.
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Tips & Warnings
Always check the labels on herbicides before applying on St. Augustine grass. Certain postemergence herbicides can kill this type of grass. If possible, hand remove weeds from lawns.
References
- Photo Credit Castillo de San Marco - ancient fort in st. augustine florida image by Sakala from Fotolia.com
