How to Care for St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is a reliable choice for homeowners in warm climates who want a dense, durable lawn. It's known for its ability to handle heat, moderate shade, and heavy foot traffic—making it a practical option in many southern regions. But like any turfgrass, it requires the right care to perform well.
Below, you'll find a breakdown of what St. Augustine grass is, how it looks, how to plant it, and how to maintain it through each season.
What Is St. Augustine Grass?
St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm-season turfgrass commonly found in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and coastal areas of the Southeastern United States. It spreads by stolons (above-ground runners) and forms a thick layer of turf that helps crowd out weeds. Unlike many other grass types, it’s usually installed through sod, plugs, or sprigs rather than seed.
This grass performs best in full sun to partial shade and thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic soils. It’s also one of the better warm-season grasses for shaded areas, although it won’t hold up under dense tree cover.
What Does St. Augustine Grass Look Like?
You can identify St. Augustine grass by its:
- Color: Medium to dark green during active growth
- Texture: Coarse blades that feel firm and flat
- Growth habit: Spreads horizontally, forming a tight, even surface
- Blade width: Wider than Bermuda or Zoysia grass
- Height: Typically kept at 2.5 to 4 inches for residential lawns
A well-maintained St. Augustine lawn looks uniform and feels dense underfoot. It also recovers quickly from light damage and offers decent resistance to weed intrusion when properly fertilized and mowed.
How to Care for St. Augustine Grass
Maintaining St. Augustine grass comes down to consistency. Here's how to keep it healthy throughout the year:
Mowing
- Mow at 2.5–4 inches, depending on sunlight levels (leave it higher in shaded areas).
- Mow weekly during the growing season. Avoid removing more than one-third of the blade height at a time.
- Keep mower blades sharp to prevent tearing and disease spread.
Watering
- Apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation.
- Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Irrigate early in the day to reduce evaporation and discourage fungal problems.
Fertilizing
- Start fertilizing in spring once the grass begins growing.
- Apply slow-release nitrogen every 6–8 weeks during active growth.
- Use a soil test to determine if additional nutrients like potassium or phosphorus are needed.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, especially in hot weather, as this can lead to thatch buildup and disease.
Weed Control
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to stop crabgrass and other annual weeds.
- Use post-emergent treatments for visible broadleaf or grassy weeds.
- Maintain a dense turf canopy to naturally reduce weed competition.
Pest and Disease Monitoring
- Chinch bugs and grubs are common pests—monitor for irregular patches or thinning grass.
- Fungal diseases like brown patch or gray leaf spot may appear in humid conditions or after overwatering.
- Apply fungicides or insecticides only when necessary, and always follow product instructions.
How to Plant St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass isn’t typically grown from seed, which makes the planting process different from other warm-season grasses. Whether you’re starting a new lawn or filling in bare areas, the method you use—sod, plugs, or sprigs—will affect how quickly it establishes and how much maintenance it needs during early growth.
Sod
- Clear and level the soil before installation. Remove existing vegetation.
- Lay sod in a staggered brick pattern for better coverage.
- Use a lawn roller to ensure good root-to-soil contact.
- Water daily for the first 2–3 weeks until roots are established.
Plugs
- Space plugs 12–18 inches apart in prepared soil.
- Keep the area moist until runners begin to spread.
- Plugging is more cost-effective than sod but takes longer to fill in.
Sprigs
- Sprigs are planted manually or mechanically by inserting runners into the soil.
- Best for larger areas when cost is a concern.
- Requires frequent watering during establishment.
How to Grow St. Augustine Grass
Once your St. Augustine lawn is in place, the goal is to help it grow stronger with each season. That means managing soil health, adjusting care routines based on conditions, and watching for signs of stress. Here are some tips for how to get the best growth from your grass:
- Aerate compacted soil annually to improve water and nutrient uptake.
- Dethatch if the thatch layer exceeds ½ inch to prevent water runoff and disease.
- Overseed with new plugs or sprigs in bare spots during late spring or early summer.
- Adjust mowing height seasonally—raise it slightly during hot, dry weather.
- Monitor for nutrient deficiencies or pH imbalances and correct as needed with targeted treatments.
Get the Best Results from the Experts
St. Augustine grass performs well in warm climates when given the right care. From mowing and watering to fertilization and disease control, consistent attention makes the difference between a lawn that just gets by and one that holds up throughout the season. Whether you’re starting fresh or maintaining an established yard, understanding how this grass grows helps you make better decisions year-round.
If you're looking for professional help maintaining your St. Augustine lawn, Assuregreen Property Services offers customized lawn care services in Tampa and the surrounding areas designed with local conditions in mind. From fertilization and weed control to aeration and soil testing, our team delivers the targeted treatments your lawn needs to stay healthy and well-managed. Reach out today to schedule your free lawn inspection!