St. Augustine grass is relatively broad, deep green, coarsely textured turf. It is popular in the deep South regions of the United States as well as Hawaii because it thrives in subtropic and tropical conditions. If you recently added St. Augustine sod to your property for the first time, use these tips to maintain a lush, beautiful lawn.

What Does St. Augustine Turf Care Involve?

Fertilization

Fertilize St. Augustine turf with a product high in nitrogen in the spring to promote vigorous growth. Apply fertilizer with more balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium percentages during the rest of the year to keep the grass well fed, and skip applications during excessively dry periods to avoid burning the blades. Apply your selected product in the morning and follow it with water to ensure fast absorption that prevents groundwater contamination.

Soil Testing

Test your soil every one or two years since fertilizer makes it more acidic. St. Augustine does best with a pH level between 6 and 7, so add lime to the soil if its acid content is too high, or below 6. Water your lawn after the lime application for quicker absorption. 

Watering & Mowing

Water your lawn every week unless it has been raining frequently. Use a sprinkler system and a marked can or container to avoid watering past the 1-inch mark. St. Augustine benefits from deep watering to prevent shallow root systems. Keep your grass at least two inches high since this turf will build up thatch and experience other health problems when it is mowed too short.

Pest & Weed Control

Keep pest insects such as chinch bugs out of your lawn with nontoxic pesticides such as horticultural soap and pyrethrins to prevent unsightly brown patches. Biological control methods such as ladybugs and lacewings also work well.

St. Augustine sod decreases the chance of weeds. However, if weeds do emerge, use organic methods to prevent killing beneficial insects and contaminating groundwater.

Rely on Alii Turf for all of your St. Augustine sod needs to maintain a gorgeous lawn year-round. The locally owned turf farm in Wahiawa, HI, proudly provides Kapolei, Mililani, Hawaii Kai, and the rest of Oahu and the neighbor islands with quality sod for residential, commercial, and golf course purposes. Call the team at (808) 293-8873 today to request a quote. Follow the Google+ page for more lawn care tips.