Tip Sheet
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HOUSTON GRASS
29739 F.M. 2978
MAGNOLIA, TX. 77354
281-364-9750 office
281-364-9728 fax
Copywright 2009
Houston Grass
The following addresses some of the issues facing St. Augustine Grasses. The watering, fertilizing and mowing requirements
for the Bermuda and Zoysia grasses will differ slightly. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call.
Watering - Newly Installed
*Note that with average water pressure, a "wand" style sprinkler will put out
about two-tenths of water. To verify your particular water output, purchase a rain
gauge and put it in the area to be watered. If you have a sprinkler system, we
would highly recommend that you do this.
1 inch (5 hours with a wand sprinkler) the day grass is installed or until "squishy".
Then 1 inch every 7-10 days. When you can no longer pick up corners reduce
watering to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks. A good rule of thumb is if you can stick your
finger into the ground and mud sticks to it, then you do not need to water-if the
ground and you do not feel any moisture, the turn the water on. Be sure to
compensate for rainfall.
January-March
April
Once daytime temperatures consistently exceeds 80 degrees, watering
requirements must be increased to 1.5-2.0 inches (7-10 hours with wand sprinkler)
day installed or until "squishy". Then 1/2 inch (about 2 hours) every other day for
2 weeks. When you can no longer pick up corners reduce to 1 inch a week
(ideally you would do this in two-1/2 inch watering's to prevent runoff).
May-September
1.5-2.0 inches (7-10 hours with a wand sprinkler) the day installed or until
"squishy." Then 1/2 inch (about 2 hours) every other day for 2 weeks. This
depends on daytime temperature; if the grass is wilting and stressed then short 30
minute waterings on a daily basis may be necessary in the evenings. When you
can no longer pick up corners, reduce to 1 inch per week (ideally you would do
this in two-1/2 inch waterings to prevent runoff).
October
1.5-2.0 inches (7-10 hours with a wand sprinkler) the day installed or until
"squishy." Once daytime temperature consistently stays below 80 degrees, then
watering requirements must be reduced, so as to not promote Brown Patch,to 1
inch every 7-10 days, then every 2-3 days for 1 hour. When you can no longer
pick up corners reduce watering to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks.
November-December
1 inch (5 hours with a wand sprinkler) the day installed or until "squish." Then 1
inch every 10-14 days. When you can no longer pick up corners reduce waterings
to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks.
Watering - Established
January-March
1 inch every 2-3 weeks. Be sure to compensate for rainfall.
April-September
1 inch (two-1/2 inch waterings if runoff is an issue) every week.
October
Once the daytime temperature consistently stays below 80 degrees, we must
reduce watering to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks so as to not promote Brown Patch
November-December
1 inch every 2-3 weeks.
Mowing - Newly Installed
*Note that if you are following the suggested watering requirements, you will
probably not be able to mow without leaving ruts for at least 2-3 weeks no
matter what time of year you plant. If you plant in January, the grass will be
dormant and will not be growing. Keep the mower off of it until it begins to green
up in the spring (around March 1st).
January
February
If you plant in February, the grass will be dormant and will not be growing. Keep
the mower off of it until it begins to green up in the spring (around March 1st).
March
If you plant in March, the grass could possibly be greening up and coming out of
dormancy. Keep the mower off of it until it does begin to green up then to the
following: keep the mower off for 2-3 weeks, then as the grass begins to attach
itself to the ground (you can no longer pick up the corners), you may raise your
mower to at least 3.5 inches (barely clip the top of the leaves).
April
If you plant in April, the grass will certainly be greening up and coming out of
dormancy. Keep the mower off of it for 2-3 weeks, and then as the grass begins
to attach itself to the ground, you may raise your mower to at least 3.5 inches.
Mowing - Established
January-March
Three (3) inches. It is recommended that you do not remove grass clippings as
they provide a good source of nitrogen and organic matter.
April-May
Mowing height may be adjusted downward to 2.5 - 3.0 inches. Remember to
never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf-this causes undue stress on the grass.
June-September
Mowing height must be adjusted upward to 3.0 - 3.5 inches so as to increase the
drought tolerance of the grass.
October
Once daytime temperatures starts to fall, the mowing height may be adjusted
back downward to 3.0 inches. Note that after the first frost, your grass is going to
begin to turn brown. This is the grass transitioning into dormancy and will remain
brown until temperatures begin to rise in the spring. There will be little to no
growth except for winter weeds. We suggest mowing those as opposed to
treating with chemicals.
November-December
Three (3) inches.
Fertilizing - Newly Installed
January-February
None.
Apply 1-1.5 lbs. of a 15-5-10 fertilizer per 1000 sq. ft. You will need to determine
the square footage of your yard. The label on the bag will tell you at what rate
your spreader should be set at to distribute the fertilizer at a rate of 1-1.5 lbs. per
1000 sq. ft. Suggest use of Bonus S or other fertilizer impregnated with Atrazine
or 2-4-D to suppress winter broadleaf weeds. CAUTION: these chemicals will kill
plants & ornamental flowers, be careful when applying!
April
May-August
None.
September
Apply 1-1.5 lbs. of a 15-5-10 fertilizer per 1000 sq. ft. You will need to determine
the square footage of your yard. The label on the bag will tell you at what rate
your spreader should be set at to distribute the fertilizer at a rate of 1-1.5 lbs. per
1000 sq. ft. Suggest use of fertilizer impregnated with Bayleton to help prevent
Brown Patch.
October-December
None.
Fertilizing - Established
January-February
None.
March-April
Wait 3-4 weeks after the grass was planted then apply a 15-5-10 (Vigoro has one)
fertilizer at a half rate (0.5-0.75 lbs) per 1000 sq. ft. or half of what is recommended
on the bag.
May-September
Wait 3-4 weeks after the grass was planted then apply a 15-5-10 (Vigoro has one)
fertilizer at a half rate (0.5-0.75 lbs) per 1000 sq. ft. or half of what is recommended
on the bag.
October-December
None.
Pesticides
January-May
None.
June-August
Chinch Bug Season - Chinch bug damage looks very similar to drought stress.
First signs of chinch bugs are found near concrete and warmer, dryer areas of the
yard. A variety of liquid and granular insecticides are available to control chinch
bugs. Apply 1 inch of water 24-48 hours before treatment then at least 1/2 inch
after application. Be sure and follow instructions carefully. Applications should
only be made if infected areas continue to grow. Additional irrigation, no fertilizer
applications, and rainfall may help suppress chinch bug infestation.
September
None.
Herbicides
January-March
Suggest mowing when winter weeds appear as opposed to treating with chemicals.
April
You may apply Bonus S with Atrazine to control winter broadleaf weeds. Consult a
licensed chemical applicator such as TruGreen for additional treatment options.
May-September
None.
October-November
Once the grass begins the transition into dormancy, you may wish to consult a
licensed chemical applicator such as TruGreen to apply pre-emergent in order to
prevent winter broadleaf weeds from appearing in late winter into spring.
December
Suggest mowing when winter weeds appear as opposed to treating with chemicals.
Fungicides
January-February
None.
March-April
The primary fungus that St. Augustine must contend with is Brown Patch which
normally appears in September and March (during temperature transitions). Once
the daytime temperature is between 75-85 degrees and the nighttime temperature
is below 68 degrees, the conditions begin to be conductive to the disease. Only
water when necessary (every 2-3 weeks) and do not apply any fertilizer until the
cooler temperature transition is complete. Look for a circle with a gold ring around
the edge. When you see the first signs, Terrachlor is the product of choice, but it
is difficult to find. Scotts Lawn Fungus Control or Turfcide is an alternative that can
be found at home inprovement stores.
May-August
None.
September
Begin watching for Brown Patch in low lying wet areas. If you see signs (gold
rings) refer to instructions in March-April.
November-December
None.
