How to care for St. Augustine grass in Macon / Warner Robins
St. Augustine grass is a warm-season grass that is an old favorite in the Macon / Warner Robins area. Like Centipede, Zoysia and Bermuda it is a southern turf grass that becomes dormant in the winter months.
St. Augustine grass is only available in sod or sprigs. The blade is much wider than other turf grasses. St. Augustine lawns are known for their lush dark green appearance with grass heights typically being around 3 inches.
Benefits: St. Augustine is one of the oldest cultivars of turf planted in the Macon / Warner Robins area. It is available only in sod and does not produce a viable seed. St Augustine is known for its shade tolerant attributes.
- Great shade tolerance. St. Augustine grass only needs a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct sun and is one of the most shade tolerant grasses available.
- Less frequent mowing than Bermuda.
- Lush dense appearance.
- Easy to sprig runners.
Disadvantages: Like any other turf, St. Augustine grass has its faults too. While it is it a great shade tolerant turf, St Augustine also has some serious drawbacks.
- It is not as cold as hardy as other warm season grasses. It is susceptible to winter damage when temperatures dip below 20 degrees.
- It is does hold up well to heavy traffic.
- Not readily available at some turf farms around the Macon / Warner Robins area.
- It is not disease or insect resistant. It is more susceptible to disease and insect damage than other turf grasses and needs to be monitored closely.
- It is particularly susceptible to chinch bugs.
- St. Augustine is not as drought tolerant as zoysia or bermuda lawns
Planting: Timing and soil preparation are important when it comes to establishing grass.
- St. Augustine is best planted as sod in June – September and does not adapt well to being planted as dormant sod.
- Till before planting to soften the soil, and be sure to follow proper initial watering practices to get the lawn established.
Lawn Care: Unless you appropriately maintain your St. Augustine lawn, you won’t achieve the perfect yard you’re looking for. Be sure to:
- We recommend a proactive lawn program for St. Augustine grass because it is very susceptible to disease and insect damage.
- Follow proper mowing techniques. Don’t cut more than a third of the blade height at each mowing session. St Augustine can be mowed every 7-14 days in the growing season.
- Water effectively and be sure your grass gets an inch of water every week.
St Augustine grass is a great shade tolerant turf especially if you are having trouble establishing turf in shady conditions. When properly managed, St. Augustine grass can provide a unique beautiful lawn. If you’re facing any issues with your St. Augustine grass, we’re happy to help get it back on track. Give us a call at 478-318-7644 or email a Lawn Care Specialist.
If you are interested in getting a St Augustine lawn installed contact our sister company.
Our office is located at 7454 Cochran Street, Macon, GA 31216.