Why is my St. Augustine lawn dying?

miamiaml – posted 14 June 2004 12:00

I live in Miami, Florida where St. Augustine is extremely common in lawns. Four weeks ago I laid approiximatley 3000 square feet of St. Augustine sod in my back yard which has partial shade but receives plenty of sunshine during the morning and late afternoon hours. At first the grass seemed to thrive but now most of the grass from each piece of sod I layed has turned bron and is dying. Only a few strands per piece are healthy. Whta did I do wrong and is it possibloe for me to save my lawn?

jeremy – posted 24 June 2004 14:33

I woud suggest you go to an ifas web site (University of Fl Agriculture) You will find there that you probably dont really have enough sunlight. Compitition with trees for nutrients water and light are huge factors as well as decreased air circulation which can result in disease. Your sod was grown in a full sun field, its roots were cut off and it was moved to a shady enviroment. The plant wants sunlight so you first get alot of top growth, but the roots dont get the chance to set well and they gbegin to rot. With out roots your grass suddenky dies. Also if you didnt have seville St. Augustine put in these shade areas you didnt have much of a chance to begin with. Palmetto, classic are garbage. And floritam is for full sun only. I have my Fl l&o liscence and have worked with these issues for 10 years. Better luck next time

jack – posted 06 July 2004 12:19

The UofFL website lists Floratam as having Fair Shade Tolerance. Could you clarify how much sun it needs? I would have thought this poster’s situation would have provided enough sun, as well as mine, which I’m about to lay. Thanks.

seed – posted 06 July 2004 22:47

Here’s a photo of Floratam and Jade under 83% shade:

http://floridaturf.com/staugust/shade.htm

In the experiment, that was too shady for Flortam St. Augustinegrass, but okay for Jade St. Augustinegrass.

Phil