CitraBlue® St. Augustine
Homeowner Maintenance Guide
Improved Drought Resistance
Improved Disease Resistance
Exceptional Shade Tolerance
Striking Blue-Green Color
Spring Maintenance Videos
Seasonal Guides for Your CitraBlue® Maintenance
SUMMER
Mowing
CitraBlue mowing heights during the summer generally range from about 2–3 inches. When mowing during the summer, never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time. If you remove more than that, you will stress the grass and it may go brown for a short time. Taller blades provide more shade for your root system to stay cool and retain moisture during the hot summer days. If you are returning from vacation, you may have to mow multiple times to get the grass back to the desired height. Wait about 3–5 days between each mowing.
Watering
Do not overwater the grass. CitraBlue only needs about one inch of water weekly. Water for longer periods of time, less frequently and in the early morning hours. Take rainfall into consideration.
Fertilization
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the summer season by applying the Lawnifi’s Summer Fertilizer Box or apply Lawnifi Foundation once every three months. Reduce fertilizer in sunny areas to reduce thatch issues.
Insect Control
Put down an insecticide to prevent grub worms, mole crickets, billbugs, sod webworms, fall armyworms and nematodes. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Calculate that watering into your weekly watering amount.
Fungus Control
Check for gray leaf spot. Treat with a broad-spectrum fungicide like Heritage if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Calculate that watering into your weekly watering amount.
Summer Products
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FALL
Mowing
During the fall, mowing will occur less often—keeping your CitraBlue slightly higher than the regular 2–3 inch height will encourage deeper root growth which helps it survive in colder temperatures and during winter dormancy.
Watering
Water less as temperatures drop—too much water will lead to disease. Water to prevent drought stress while grass is actively growing and after the beginning stages of dormancy to prevent dehydration.
Fertilization
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi’s Fall Fertilizer Box or apply Lawnifi Foundation once every three months.
Weed Control
Apply pre-emergent herbicides to control winter annual and perennial weeds like chickweed, henbit, Poa annua, crabgrass, nutsedge or goosegrass. Apply post-emergent herbicides only when weeds are present. Since St. Augustine is sensitive to certain herbicides (2,4-D and MSMA), use an Atrazine-based post-emergent herbicide. Follow label directions and use with caution.
Insect Control
Check for and control any white grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, fall armyworms and mole crickets. Treat with an insecticide if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.
Fungus Control
It is recommended you apply a systemic fungicide at preventative rates as this will help the grass enter colder months in a healthier condition. If you have had a fungus before, you may need multiple applications in affected areas. Consider mapping those areas because fungicide treatment can be expensive. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.
Fall Products
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SPRING
Mowing
Don’t make the mistake of mowing your CitraBlue lawn too short. Keep your lawn between 2–3 inches in height with a rotary mower that has a sharpened blade. Never remove more than ⅓ of the leaf blade.
Watering
Don’t overwater. In the active growing season, CitraBlue needs about 1 inch of water a week from natural rainfall or irrigation. If you apply any granular fertilizer or control product, you will need to water it in. This is a sufficient amount of water for the week. Avoid excess wear and water in shared areas. Conduct an irrigation audit to evaluate how much water is being delivered to different areas of your lawn.
Fertilization
For optimal results, feed your lawn during the spring season by applying Lawnifi Foundation, a granular fertilizer, or the Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box.
Weed Control
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prevent summer annual weeds like crabgrass and goosegrass from plaguing your lawn and garden. If you notice any current weeds, control them with a post-emergent herbicide. St. Augustine is sensitive to herbicides with 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPP and MSMA. Use a post-emergent herbicide with Atrazine as its active ingredient.
Insect Control
Apply a broad-spectrum insecticide to prevent spring insects from appearing or to control any current spring insects like chinch bugs or white grubs. If you see any white grubs, apply a systemic insecticide like Scotts GrubEx or Dylox 6.2 Granular Insecticide.
Fungus Control
Apply a systemic fungicide at a preventive rate to keep disease from taking hold of your lawn. You may begin to see disease outbreaks as your CitraBlue begins to green up. St. Augustine may be prone to gray leaf spot at this time. Do not apply fertilizer until you’ve applied a systemic fungicide at a curative rate and your grass has recovered.
Spring Products
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A Word of Caution for Newly Sodded Lawns
A pre-emergent contains a chemical that prevents a weed from putting down roots. Because it is a root inhibitor, it can also negatively affect your new lawn, which is trying to establish itself by putting down roots. If you successfully killed and removed your old lawn, including all the weeds in it, your newly sodded lawn should have relatively few weeds. It is suggested that you hand pick weeds out of your newly sodded lawn for the first season.