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Transform Your St. Augustine Lawn – Cape Coral

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The Ultimate Guide to St. Augustine Grass

If you are looking for professional lawn care in Cape Coral, maintaining a healthy St. Augustine lawn is essential. This warm season grass thrives in our subtropical climate, offering a lush, green appearance throughout the year. Proper care ensures your yard remains vibrant and resilient.


Whether you are a homeowner or a business, understanding the specific needs of St. Augustine grass can help you achieve a beautiful landscape. Explore our services for expert mowing, fertilization, and pest management to keep your lawn healthy and thriving.

What is St. Augustine Grass?

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm-season, coarse-textured grass that creates a thick, lush lawn. It thrives in heat and can handle shade well, making it popular for southern yards. Less suited for heavy foot traffic, it’s ideal for low-to-moderate use landscapes.

St. Augustine Grass

Why St. Augustine Grass Thrives?

Cape Coral’s subtropical climate, with average temperatures of 45°F to 95°F and annual rainfall of about 53 inches, creates perfect conditions . Its tolerance for humidity, salt, and partial shade makes it a favorite for local yards. Popular varieties like Floratam and Palmetto resist common pests like chinch bugs and handle the area’s sandy, nutrient-poor soils well.

Benefits

  • Lush Appearance: Deep green, dense growth enhances curb appeal.
  • Weed Resistance: Thick turf naturally crowds out weeds.
  • Versatility: Thrives in both sunny and partially shaded areas.
Benefits of St. Augustine Grass

Planting St. Augustine Grass

Optimal Planting Time

In spring (April-May) when temperatures consistently exceed 80°F. This timing allows strong root development before rainy season (June-September).

Planting Methods

This is typically installed as sod or plugs due to limited seed availability:

  • Sod: Provides instant coverage. Lay on prepared soil, ensuring tight seams.
  • Plugs: Budget-friendly for smaller areas. Plant 12 inches apart in a diamond pattern to encourage spreading. Water daily for 10-14 days to establish roots.

Soil Preparation

Test soil pH (ideal: 6.0-7.5) using a kit, and add compost to sandy soils to boost nutrient retention. Ensure good drainage.

Watering Guidelines

Heavy rainfall often meets St. Augustine’s needs during the wet season, but strategic watering is key:

  • New garden: Water daily with ½ inch for 1-2 weeks to promote root growth.
  • Established Yards: Apply ¾-1 inch of water 1-2 times weekly during dry periods (October-May). Watch for wilting or bluish blades, indicating drought stress.
  • Best Practices: Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and follow irrigation restrictions.

Overwatering can cause fungal issues, so monitor soil moisture closely.

Mowing and Maintenance Tips

Mowing Height

Keep it at 2.5-4 inches, with Floratam favoring the higher end. Mow every 5-7 days in summer and less frequently in winter. Never cut more than one-third of the blade length to avoid stress.

Mowing Best Practices

Use sharp blades to prevent tearing, which invites pests. Avoid scalping to protect stolons (runners). Clean equipment to prevent disease spread.

Dethatching and Aeration

Remove thatch (dead organic matter) exceeding 1 inch in spring using a rake or dethatcher. Aerate annually to relieve soil compaction, especially in high-traffic areas, to improve water and nutrient uptake.

Dethatching and Aeration

Fertilizing for a Healthy Lawn

Sandy soils require regular fertilization to maintain:

  • Nutrient Needs: Apply 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet yearly, split into 3-4 applications (spring, summer, early fall).
  • Fertilizer Choice: Use a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 16-4-8) with added iron for vibrant color.
  • Timing: Fertilize every 6-8 weeks from April to September. Avoid late-fall nitrogen applications to prevent cold damage.

Soil tests, available through UF/IFAS, ensure balanced nutrient application.

Fertilizing for a Healthy Lawn

Managing Pests and Diseases

Common Pests

  • Nutrient Needs: Apply 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet yearly, split into 3-4 applications (spring, summer, early fall).
  • Grubs: Damage roots, leading to browning. Use targeted larvicides if detected.

Common Diseases

  • Gray Leaf Spot: Gray lesions on blades, worsened by excess moisture. Apply fungicides and reduce watering.
  • Take-All Root Rot: Causes thinning. Improve drainage and use fungicides as needed.

Consult our experts for precise treatments.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Weed Control

  • Dense growth minimizes weeds, but crabgrass and dollarweed can appear. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring (March) to prevent weed growth.
  •  Use post-emergent herbicides for existing weeds, avoiding sensitive chemicals like 2,4-D.
  •  Apply when the temperature is 60-75°F to prevent lawn damage.

Seasonal Care Schedule

  • Spring (March-May): Plant, fertilize, dethatch, and apply pre-emergent herbicides.
  • Summer (June-August): Mow regularly, water as needed, fertilize, and monitor pests.
  • Fall (September-November): Reduce watering, apply potassium, and avoid nitrogen fertilizers.

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

  • Warm-season performer: Flourishes in hot, humid environments.
  • Shade adaptability: Tolerates partial shade while preferring full sun.
  • Heat resilient: Handles high temperatures effectively.
  • Lush, dense coverage: Creates a thick, attractive lawn.
  • Coastal suitability: Thrives in salty conditions near coastlines.
  • Low wear resistance: Unsuitable for areas with heavy foot traffic.
  • Pest and disease vulnerability: Needs regular monitoring and care.
  • Aggressive spread: Can invade unwanted areas if not controlled.
  • Cold sensitivity: May need overseeding in cooler regions.
  • High maintenance: Demands frequent mowing and careful watering.

Characteristics 

  • Classification: Warm-season grass
  • Growth Habit: Stolons
  • Growth Rate: Moderate to high
  • Texture of Blades: Coarse
  • Turf Color During Summer: Bluish-green
  • Shade Tolerance: Moderate
  • Cold Tolerance: Very low
  • Drought Resistance: Moderate
  • Foot Traffic Tolerance: Moderate
  • Soil pH: 6-7.5
  • Soil Type: Adapts to various soil types; favors moderately fertile and moist soils, not waterlogged; not highly drought-tolerant; struggles with compacted soil

Choosing the Right Variety 

  • Floratam: A widely available variety recognized for its fast growth and ability to thrive in full sun.
  • Palmetto: A shade-tolerant option noted for its finer texture.
  • Raleigh: A cold-resistant variety ideal for transition zone climates.
  • CitraBlue: A recent variety celebrated for its blue-green hue and shade adaptability.
  • ProVista: A herbicide-resistant type known for quick growth and effective coverage of bare patches.

Extra Tips for Success

Five Reasons to Love St. Augustine Grass

  • It develops a dense, carpet-like layer that suppresses weeds.
  • It retains its color during mild drought during its active growth period (spring and summer).
  • It thrives across a broad pH range, from 5.0 to 8.5.
  • Its salt tolerance makes it an excellent choice for coastal areas.
  • In certain southern regions, it can remain green throughout the year.

How to Plant and Grow

Growing it can be tricky since establishing a yard from seed is challenging, and seeds are hard to find. Experts typically recommend using sod or plugs instead. For the best results, source sod from a turf farm or collaborate with a landscaping professional. The upside is that St. Augustine sod establishes effectively once laid. You can start your lawn anytime during the growing season, just ensure consistent watering after installation to encourage root growth.

When and How to Fertilize

To maintain a vibrant yard, timing your fertilization is key. Start in early spring as the greenery begins to green up, then fertilize every six to eight weeks during the growing season. Finish with a final application in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost. What’s the best fertilizer? Opt for one with an NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio of 4-1-2, 3-1-2, or 3-0-0. Apply 0.5 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, or 1.5 pounds of slow-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

How to Get St. Augustine Grass to Spread

It spreads naturally via stolons, above-ground runners that form nodes, sprouting roots and new blades for a dense lawn. During peak season, stolons grow several inches weekly. To encourage spreading, maintain proper watering (¾-1 inch weekly), fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizer (2-4 pounds per 1,000 sq ft annually), and mow at 2.5-4 inches, cutting no more than one-third of the blade.

Keep Your Lawn Lush with St. Augustine Grass

It is ideal for southern regions, delivering a lush lawn with proper care. For low-maintenance upkeep, hire Our professionals for sod installation and ongoing yard care to maintain a vibrant yard.

Ideal Growing Conditions

It, including its Palmetto and Raleigh varieties, is valued for its versatility across various landscaping settings, thriving under specific conditions that support its growth and longevity.

Ideal Conditions

Specification

Climate

Warm, with a preference for high temperatures

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Soil Types

Sandy to clayey, requiring good drainage

Growing Season

Late spring through summer

Watering Needs

Consistent during the growing season, avoiding waterlogging

Why Hire Our Expert?

Maintaining St. Augustine grass in Cape Coral’s climate demands expertise. Our professional services ensure proper pest control, fertilization, and irrigation while complying with local regulations. This saves time and enhances garden health, making your property stand out.

Conclusion

A thriving lawn boosts your property’s appeal and value. By planting correctly, watering wisely, mowing properly, fertilizing strategically, and controlling pests, you can maintain a healthy yard.

FAQs

It thrives in warm, humid, and salty coastal conditions, offering dense, green growth that enhances curb appeal and suppresses weeds. Varieties like Floratam and Palmetto resist pests and grow well in both sun and shade.

Spring (April-May), when daytime temperatures exceed 80°F, is ideal for planting. This timing allows stolons to root before the rainy season, ensuring a strong garden.

Sod provides an instant yard, perfect for quick results. Plugs are cost-effective for small areas or patching and spread over time. Both require daily watering (½ inch) for 10-14 days to establish in sandy soil.

Water the new yard daily with ½ inch for 1-2 weeks. Established lawns need ¾ to 1 inch 1-2 times weekly during dry months. Water early in the morning and follow local regulations to prevent fungal issues.

Maintain a height of 2.5-4 inches, higher for Floratam. Mow every 5-7 days in summer, less in winter, and cut no more than one-third at a time. Use sharp blades to prevent tearing and pest issues.

A slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 16-4-8) with iron promotes vibrant green color. Apply 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually in 3-4 doses from April to September. Soil testing ensures optimal results.

Inspect sunny areas for chinch bug damage (brown patches) and apply eco-friendly insecticides if needed. Check for grubs; treat with larvicide if more than 5 per square foot are found. Regular monitoring keeps turf healthy.

The dense turf prevents most weeds, but crabgrass or dollarweed may appear. Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring to block weeds. Use post-emergent sprays at 60-75°F for existing weeds to avoid yard damage.