Hot Spot Woes…. Advice Requested

StevieD – posted 26 July 2005 11:34

I have Floratam St. Augustine and much of my yard is sunny. This July, I am getting very little rain. and have quite a few hot spots in my grass by the time I get home from work. I hand-water most of the hot spots every day. However, in the morning, I find that all of yesterday evening’s hot spots, whether hand-watered or not the previous evening, have recovered. The next evening, however, the hot spots return, even the hot spots I watered the previous evening.

What should I do? I am currently running my irrigation system twice per week, applying extra water (longer running time) for the sunniest zones. Should I water three times per week? If I water 3 times per week and hot spots continue to appear, should I water 4 times per week? Should I continue to try to hand-water the hot spots, or is the fact that the hot spots I do not hand-water recover the next morning an indication that I do not need to/should not hand-water them?

Lance hlavin – posted 28 July 2005 10:08

first thing you should do is check irrigation for proper coverage. Take an empty tuna can and place it where hot spot is..after running irrigation , can should be full…3/4 of an inch..If area seems to be getting enough water, try putting down a mild soap and flush the areas….this will help water penetrate hydrophobic soil

Alex_in_FL – posted 02 August 2005 20:22

Lance gave you a good starting point. You should also mow your lawn a little higher and let it grow slightly longer. This lets the grass shade it self thus reducing evaporation. Given the extreme heat here in FL right now it is possible you need to water 3x per week. Plus some hot spots may require extra water if the soil is quite sandy.

Alex

StevieD – posted 05 August 2005 07:15

Thanks for the suggestions!

Thad – posted 01 August 2007 09:31

I was just wondering if this is the same Lance Hlavin who worked with his brother Len for me used to work for me when i had my lawn care in Lake Mary, Fl, back in the “90’s….not many people have the last name of Hlavin…..if it is him…..i home i had something to do with his interest in lawn care……he was a good worker……..QUOTE]Originally posted by Lance hlavin:first thing you should do is check irrigation for proper coverage. Take an empty tuna can and place it where hot spot is..after running irrigation , can should be full…3/4 of an inch..If area seems to be getting enough water, try putting down a mild soap and flush the areas….this will help water penetrate hydrophobic soil[/QUOTE]