Seasonal Maintenance Guides for Your St. Augustine
MOWING
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 three to five days between each mowing.
WATERING
Do not over water the grass. St. Augustine 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 Summer Box liquid fertilizer program.
WEED CONTROL
Apply post-emergent herbicides to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, such as knotweed, spurge and lespedeza. Since St. Augustinegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides (2,4-D and MSMA), follow label directions and use with caution. If crabgrass and goosegrass are present, make a note to apply a pre-emergent herbicide next spring. Do not apply herbicides during a drought, when grass and weeds are not actively growing or when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Consider spot treating weeds to avoid burning the grass during hot summer months.
INSECT CONTROL
If drought symptoms or yellow spots occur in a sunny location, check for chinch bug activity. Push a coffee can (with both top and bottom removed) into the ground and fill it with water. Any chinch bugs present will float. Treat for chinch bugs if you have 20 or more chinch bugs per 1,000 sq. ft. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.
FUNGUS CONTROL
Check for gray leaf spot and brown (large) patch. Treat with a fungicide if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.
MOWING
Mow less in cooler fall months. Leave your St. Augustine lawn slightly higher than normal to encourage deeper root growth for winter. Adjust mower settings up one notch.
WATERING
Water less. As temperatures drop grasses don’t need as much irrigation. Too much watering can lead to lawn disease.
FERTILIZATION
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Fall Box liquid fertilizer program.
WEED CONTROL
If you haven’t had past problems with winter weeds, you can forgo herbicide in the fall. If you do get winter weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide for prevention.
FUNGUS/INSECT
Apply fungicide. This will help the grass enter colder months in healthier condition. If you have had fungus before, you may need multiple applications in affected areas.
Treat with broad-spectrum insecticide. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Make sure it offers control for chinch bugs.
MOWING
Mow your St. Augustine between two to four inches tall.
WATERING
Don’t overwater. In the active growing season, St. Augustine needs about one inch of water a week from natural rainfall or irrigation. Too much water can cause fungus.
FERTILIZATION
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box.
WEED CONTROL
Apply pre-emergent herbicide. This will cut down on summer weeds.
FUNGUS/INSECT
Apply fungicide if needed. If you have had a fungus or disease in your St. Augustine in the past or have quite a bit of shade in the yard, apply a systemic fungicide to prevent future outbreaks.
If you have had insect problem in the past, treat with broad-spectrum insecticide. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Make sure it has control for chinch bugs.
-
+
SUMMER
-
MOWING
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 three to five days between each mowing.
WATERING
Do not over water the grass. St. Augustine 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 Summer Box liquid fertilizer program.
WEED CONTROL
Apply post-emergent herbicides to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, such as knotweed, spurge and lespedeza. Since St. Augustinegrass is sensitive to certain herbicides (2,4-D and MSMA), follow label directions and use with caution. If crabgrass and goosegrass are present, make a note to apply a pre-emergent herbicide next spring. Do not apply herbicides during a drought, when grass and weeds are not actively growing or when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Consider spot treating weeds to avoid burning the grass during hot summer months.
INSECT CONTROL
If drought symptoms or yellow spots occur in a sunny location, check for chinch bug activity. Push a coffee can (with both top and bottom removed) into the ground and fill it with water. Any chinch bugs present will float. Treat for chinch bugs if you have 20 or more chinch bugs per 1,000 sq. ft. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.
FUNGUS CONTROL
Check for gray leaf spot and brown (large) patch. Treat with a fungicide if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.
-
+
FALL
-
MOWING
Mow less in cooler fall months. Leave your St. Augustine lawn slightly higher than normal to encourage deeper root growth for winter. Adjust mower settings up one notch.
WATERING
Water less. As temperatures drop grasses don’t need as much irrigation. Too much watering can lead to lawn disease.
FERTILIZATION
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Fall Box liquid fertilizer program.
WEED CONTROL
If you haven’t had past problems with winter weeds, you can forgo herbicide in the fall. If you do get winter weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide for prevention.
FUNGUS/INSECT
Apply fungicide. This will help the grass enter colder months in healthier condition. If you have had fungus before, you may need multiple applications in affected areas.Treat with broad-spectrum insecticide. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Make sure it offers control for chinch bugs.
-
+
SPRING
-
MOWING
Mow your St. Augustine between two to four inches tall.
WATERING
Don’t overwater. In the active growing season, St. Augustine needs about one inch of water a week from natural rainfall or irrigation. Too much water can cause fungus.
FERTILIZATION
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box.
WEED CONTROL
Apply pre-emergent herbicide. This will cut down on summer weeds.
FUNGUS/INSECT
Apply fungicide if needed. If you have had a fungus or disease in your St. Augustine in the past or have quite a bit of shade in the yard, apply a systemic fungicide to prevent future outbreaks.If you have had insect problem in the past, treat with broad-spectrum insecticide. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Make sure it has control for chinch bugs.
