Are you worried about your slow-growing St. Augustine grass?
Most of the homeowners don’t like unattractive & thin lawns. These lawns are not able to present more beauty and lush green expression. Hope to know how to make St. Augustine grass spread quickly?
First, you should confirm soil quality because low-quality soil is not suitable for growing the St. Augustine grass fast. To spread quickly, homeowners also need to plant in hot weather as well as ensure proper maintenance. Even it is mandatory to remove unexpected weeds as soon as possible.
For understanding more, you will read our full article carefully. We will fill here some guidance on how to make St. Augustine grass spread quickly.
Does St. Augustine Grass Spread Quickly?
Firstly, St. Augustine grass is thick, strong, and green, just like a carpet. And, anyone can handle this turfgrass. Stenotaphrum secundatum is its scientific name. Some homeowners call it buffalo grass. Different types of St. Augustine grass, you notice. Captiva, Floratam, Florentine, Palmetto, Variegatum, and more are well-known.
Now, the question is, does St. Augustine grass spread quickly?
The specific answer is ‘yes’. During the warm season, you can cultivate several types of St. Augustine grasses with ease. Even lawns grow and spread as fast as you prefer in the hot weather.
How to Make St. Augustine Grass Spread Quickly
St. Augustine grass & spreads faster than other lawns. For this reason, most of the homeowners feel comfortable producing this turfgrass in the home garden or professional golf clubs. But, if you don’t know how to make St. Augustine grass spread quickly, you have to wait longer.
It is quite impossible to always wait a long time for your lawn’s growth. So, we are going to accumulate here some special tips or directions that help you to grow your St. Augustine thicker and faster spread.
Confirm Right Quality of Soil
The first essential thing is to make St. Augustine grass spread quickly to prepare its soil appropriately. Without using the right type of soil, your St. Augustine lawn doesn’t thrive as you desired. However, several types of soil you probably find. Do you know what type of soil St. Augustine grass-like?
This grass likes to stay in sandy soil along with a good drainage system. Other soils or waterlogged soil hampers its growth and the grassroots don’t get enough oxygen.
Even the best pH level of the St. Augustine grass soil is through 5.0 to 8.5. You have to ensure that the free-draining as well as avoids moreover clay. Because this turf grass doesn’t grow quickly into the compacted clay soils. Don’t apply more compost for growing spread. It is harmful to your lovely gardens.
Priority To Plant Lawn In Summer
St. Augustine is one kind of warm-seasonal lawns, you know. During summer is the perfect time to plant this turfgrass. Homeowners have to establish new St. Augustine grass when the temperature is increasing. This grass is prepared to tolerate high-heat and grows well in high-temperature.
But, don’t miss to provide sufficient water in dry and hot weather. When you first establish St. Augustine sods or plugs, you perhaps water many times at least continue to the first week. You don’t provide much water in the cooler weather because your lawn goes to a dormant condition at this time.
Proper Maintenance
This is another most important thing to spread your St. Augustine grass quickly. Without proper care and maintenance, no one can establish this turfgrass. So, you should strictly follow the schedule for maintaining it. St. Augustine grass requires fertilization, watering, and mowing for growing spread.
1.Select High Phosphorus Fertilizer
Phosphorus is noteworthy to grow fast and quickly to your St. Augustine grass. It especially helps to encourage new lawn growth. Once your grass has reached desirable growth, you can stop using high phosphorus fertilizers. Just the first few months is enough to get a healthy and lush green St. Augustine grass.
Related: How do you bring back a dead St Augustine grass?
Then, you can use ordinary nitrogen fertilizer. For per 1000sqft, it is necessary to use an average of 0.7lbs of nitrogen. Or, follow the manufacturer’s direction. The high-quality fertilizer supports nice root growth.
2.Ensure sufficient amounts of water
Water is another important element of growing fast St. Augustine grass. You should provide water several times depending on the plug’s demand. After one week, you need to irritate the sods for a few weeks. At this time, keep in the water at least half-inch for irrigation.
3.Good Mowing
You must check the mower blades before starting to mow. If blades are not sharp, you don’t cut grass according to the standard height. The best mowing height for the lawns is from 3.5 to four inches. So, you have to use a top-quality mower for good mowing.
Wipe Out Unexpected Weeds
Unexpected weeds can consume more nutrients and water which are needed for your St. Augustine grass. Don’t wait to wipe out these weeds quickly. You can use your hands or other machines for doing this job. Remember, weeds grow & spread so fast and hamper to your lovely lawns. So, you should remove weeds before thriving.
What Are The Motives to Slow Down St Augustine Growth?
Are you thinking about the explanations to slow down St. Augustine grass?
Don’t worry, we will also discuss these factors.
The bad news is that you provide regular water, maintain fertilization routine, and proper mowing but don’t get a satisfactory improvement of the St. Augustine grass. Then you have to research it deeply.
Fortunately, we discover some common causes to slow down Augustine grass.
St. Augustine Downfall
St. Augustine’s downfall indicates the effect of any harmful germ or virus. This virus discourages your lawn from growing fast and makes the grasses more vulnerable. So, they can’t tolerate environmental complications.
Day-to-day St. Augustine lawns become weak and inactive due to the vulnerability. Yes, you also find some light spots and defective leaves which means germs come on your lawns. Luckily, this virus doesn’t kill the grassroots quickly so that you have got time to remove the downfall problem.
The most common solution is to use several virus prevention medicines or other homemade procedures.
Weeds
The central motive to slow down St. Augustine grass is excess weeds. Some weeds you can notice but some are growing without any sign, just silently. When meddlesome weeds get space in the garden, they spread quickly. So, you keep alert for ending the quick spread of the grassy weeds.
Gray Leaf Spot
Gray leaf spot is yet another cause of damaging your St. Augustine grass. Due to the effect of this disease, lawns are not able to thrive and develop what you desired. Particularly when humid and hot weather comes, this problem can be increased.
On the other hand, overwater support for heightening the grey leaf spot because this fungus likes water & moisture. For solving this problem, you have to avoid overwatering. Provide water according to the demands of St. Augustine grass.
Chinch Bugs Problem
Chinch bugs or Southern Chinch bugs are the common enemies of your St. Augustine grass. This is extremely a small pest but makes brown patches on the leaves. The interesting thing is that St. Augustine grass loves to grow in warm & moist temperatures and this pest also likes the same environment.
Without plenty of water, chinch bugs start to live in your leaves behind and spread slowly. You should strictly maintain the lawn care to stop the bugs problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you water St Augustine grass too much?
Lack of water is not good for lawns health besides too much water or overwater can damage your St. Augustine roots.
Does St Augustine grass-like shade or sun?
Mild-level sunlight is the best for growing St. Augustine grass. But, keep in mind that don’t cross the 30% limitation of shadow.
How often do you water St. Augustine grass in the summer?
In the hot weather, you should water twice a week while establishing the plugs. You don’t have to provide any water during cold seasons.
What is the best St. Augustine lawn mowing height?
The best mowing height is from 3.5 inches to four inches depending on the grass heights.
How long does the St Augustine plug hold to spread?
When the plugs are established completely, they begin to spread quickly. The average time is from seven to fourteen days.
Conclusion
So, it is not impossible or not hard to care as well as maintain the St. Augustine grasses appropriately. Just prepare your soil, cultivate in summer, and ensure enough water & mow. You can also procure fertilizers if necessary.
When lawns receive the all-around advantages, they are growing fast and green as well. Alternatively, it is also crucial to remove the problem of slowing down your St. Augustine.
However, we have tried to cover all urgent evidence of how to make St. Augustine grass spread quickly in this writing.
Now, it is time to enjoy the blue-green and fresh St. Augustine lawns.