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Mowing
Pick up debris (rocks, sticks, leaves, etc.) from the lawn. Do not burn off St. Augustine grass to remove excessive debris because of possible injury to the lawn and potential fire hazard. Before greenup, mow at 2 1/2 inches with a rotary mower to clear off the dead tops of grass leaves. Sharpen the mower blade to prevent damage to the grass plants.
Fertilization
Fertilize with 1/2 pound of nitrogen (N) per thousand square feet in May or 2 weeks after greenup, which ever is last. Use a complete (N-P-K) turf-grade fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio (e.g., 12-4-8 or 16-4-8)* Yellow appearance may indicate an iron deficiency. Spray iron (ferrous) sulfate (2 ounces in water per thousand square feet) or a chelated iron source to enhance color, as needed. Follow label directions.
Irrigation
Water to prevent drought stress. About 1 inch of water each week, all at once, if possible. If runoff occurs, stop watering until water is absorbed. Then continue watering. Sandy soils often require more frequent watering: 1/2 inch of water every third day. Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce pest and other problems from occurring late in the summer.
Weed Control
If crabgrass and goosegrass have been a problem, apply preemergence herbicides by the time dogwoods are in full bloom. Control broadleaf weeds as necessary with postemergence herbicides. St. Augustine grass is sensitive to certain herbicides (e.g., 2,4-D), so follow label directions and use with caution.
Insect Control
Check for white grubs and control if necessary. Check for chinch bug activity in sunny locations when yellow spots or drought symptoms appear. Push a coffee can (with both top and bottom removed) into the ground and fill it with water. Chinch bugs will float to the surface if present. Only treat if you observe 20 or more chinch bugs per thousand square feet.
Disease Control
Watch for brown patch--circular patches of brown grass up to several feet in diameter. Gray leaf spot may also appear on St. Augustine grass. Control as necessary with proper fungicides. Read the fungicide label and follow directions carefully.
Aerification
Consider the traffic load and soil texture to determine if aerification is necessary. Heavy clay soils or heavily trafficked turf areas may benefit from aerification. Use an aerifier in the late spring or early summer when the grass is actively growing and can recover.
Renovation
Replant large bare areas in May (or when average daytime temperatures are continually above 60° F) using plugs planted on 12-inch centers or sprigs space-planted at the rate of 1 1/2 bushels per thousand square feet. (One square yard of turf pulled apart is equivalent to one bushel of sprigs.)
* To determine the amount of product to apply 1/2 pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet, divide 50 by FIRST number on the fertilizer bag. Example: A 5-5-15 fertilizer. Dividing 50 by 5 = 10 pounds product to be applied per thousand square feet for 1/2 pound nitrogen.
June - August | September - November | December - February
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