Many homeowners want to know when to fertilize St. Augustine grass. St. Augustine grass can benefit from application of slow-release fertilizer 2-3 times per growing season – in the absence of a drought and in adherence with any law.

Many Pinellas homeowners are curious to learn how to care for St. Augustine grass. First, you want to check underneath the grass blades each spring for any thatch (organic matter that has not become fully integrated into the soil). If there is any more than a half-inch of thatch, rake the grass intensely. However, if the grass is still in its dormancy or if the soil is wet, do NOT dethatch. Give the grass regular mowing –specifically so that you do not get into a position in which you need to remove a significant portion of the blades in a single cutting. Otherwise, the growth rate of the grass (given specifics of the setting) will guide proper intervals for mowing.

In the absence of regular rainfall, St. Augustine grass should get about an inch of water per application. One way to easily check how much you are watering is to put a can out with the sprinklers running, to catch its water.

It is pragmatic to gather best practices on how to grow St. Augustine grass. The same basic rules apply whether you need to know the best way to proceed with sod or grass plugs, or need advice on how to grow St. Augustine grass from seed.

You need about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch of water for the grass, seasonally adjusted for frequency, in order to avoid patchiness and thinning. Water should cover the top 8 inches of soil. Note that while St. Augustine grass can get through a drought, expect its health to suffer as a result.

Apply 2-5 pounds of nitrogen annually, during active growth periods, in accordance with local ordinances.

Mow the grass to approximately 4-5 inches. When possible, cut no more than one-third of blade length per mowing so that the roots experience as little stress as possible.

St. Augustine grass is a lawn grass species that is currently used extensively in Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, Western Africa, South Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Southern Mexico, and in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The grass’s origins are mostly tropical. Its natural settings are limestone shores; saltwater and freshwater marshes; the outskirts of lagoons and swamps; and the ridges of sandy beaches. Over time, the grass increasingly travelled away from the oceans to open and high-moisture environments such as lakeshores and the banks of inland streams. Cultivars (common names) include Floratam, Bitter Blue, Seville, and Classic.