st. augustine grass

sb in south carolina – posted 06 October 2003 09:43

I planted new St. Augustine sod in April. There was insect damage (mole crickets)and the grass died. I started trying to come back about a month ago, but the temperature is usually 75 max this time of year. Once the roots have been damaged by insects, do they regenerate in the spring—or should I plan to sod all over again in the spring? What can I do during the fall and winter to ensure that the roots will regenerate and the grass will grow again in the spring?

ted – posted 06 October 2003 15:50

i would wait. if you want to use a root stimulator type product like 18-24-12 or whatever. that will help the root development and help winterize – you’re not going to know until next spring however

redbird – posted 07 October 2003 05:52

I am in SE GA – but I think that the info I am sharing will still apply. If you have addressed the mole cricket problem, are not overwatering to promote fungus and have got your maintenance routine in place to care for the grass, it should not all be dead. Barring any other troubles, you should have some green growth in the spring. It is really hard to kill every vestige of a St. Augustine lawn without trying to.

The question you have to address in the spring is this: do I want to re-sod or slowly, patiently try to nurture the old lawn to fill in over time. That is a personal matter based upon finances, your willingness to work on the lawn, your patience – your ability to tolerate an ugly lawn for a long while.

I have a neighbor whose St. Augustine lawn was featured in a local newspaper 2 years ago (photos & all) because it was so gorgeous. During this last winter (very rainy) a fungus crept in and he didn’t catch it – it probably started in the fall. Anyway, most of his front lawn didn’t come back in the spring – maybe a third of it was green. He treated for fungus, spread topsoil over the dead areas and plugged them. He didn’t mow as often . He has babied it, fed it – and now it has filled back in very nicely over the course of this summer. I was amazed at the level of regrowth. It can be done, but only you can decide if you are willing to invest the time & effort – or would just rather buy another beautiful instant lawn.

Mike

MHAIRELL – posted 08 October 2003 09:00

I recently bought a new home and the front yard was sodded with St. Augustine Grass in early August.

I was told the sod was already fertilized and any additional fertilization would kill it. So I waited and fertilized with Scott’s Starter fertilizer about 2 weeks ago.

Now I have watered pretty heavily since then to make sure the grass was getting enough water.

I now have 3-4 streaks of yellow running the same direction as I used my drop spreader when I fertilized. I think I had the adjustment right as set to the bag.

Is the yellowing due to over watering or over fertilization? The yellowing seems to start at the tips of the grass and works it way down. The grass leaves are not completely yellow, just primarily at the tips. I don’t think it is due to the heat as we have had 85-90 degree weather with some rainy days since I fertilized.

Any suggestions?