ST. AUGUSTINE

Winter is a dormant or semi-dormant period for St. Augustine grass, and maintenance during this time is focused on weed prevention, minimizing turf stress, and protecting the lawn until spring returns. Because St. Augustine grass naturally loses vigor during colder temperatures, winter weeds can quickly establish if preventative herbicide applications are not made in fall and winter. Keeping leaves and debris cleared from the lawn helps reduce excess moisture buildup and disease pressure, while limiting heavy traffic on dormant turf helps prevent thinning and compaction damage. Fertilization is generally reduced or paused during winter dormancy, as pushing growth during cold weather can weaken the lawn and increase susceptibility to disease. Proper winter care helps St. Augustine grass emerge healthier, thicker, and more uniform once temperatures begin warming again in spring.

Spring is a critical recovery and growth period for St. Augustinegrass as the lawn exits winter dormancy and begins actively spreading and thickening. The primary focus during spring is encouraging healthy green-up, preventing weeds, and building strong turf before summer heat and humidity arrive. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide early in the season helps prevent crabgrass and other invasive summer weeds, while post-emergent weed control targets any winter weeds still lingering in the lawn. Once the grass is actively growing, regular fertilization helps promote dense growth, improve color, and strengthen the turf for the stress of summer. Spring is also an important time to monitor for common St. Augustinegrass issues like chinch bugs and large patch disease, which can quickly damage weakened turf. Proper mowing and watering practices during spring help encourage lateral spread and create the thick, carpet-like lawn St. Augustinegrass is known for.

Summer is peak growing season for St. Augustine grass, and the focus is maintaining dense growth while protecting the lawn from heat stress, insects, disease, and drought conditions. St. Augustine grass thrives in warm temperatures but requires consistent maintenance to stay healthy through periods of extreme heat and humidity. Regular fertilization helps maintain color and encourage strong turf density, while deep, infrequent watering promotes healthier root development and improved drought tolerance. Proper mowing height is especially important during summer, as cutting St. Augustine grass too short can stress the lawn and make it more vulnerable to weeds and disease. Summer is also when chinch bugs, sod webworms, grubs, and fungal diseases like gray leaf spot become more active, making preventative insect and fungicide applications an important part of a complete lawn care program. When properly maintained, St. Augustine grass spreads aggressively, crowds out weeds, and delivers a thick, lush lawn throughout the summer season.

Fall is the time to help St. Augustine grass recover from summer stress while preparing the lawn for winter dormancy and a healthier spring green-up. As temperatures begin cooling, the focus shifts toward strengthening the root system, improving turf health, and preventing winter weed invasion. Applying a balanced fall fertilizer with potassium can help improve stress tolerance and overall plant health without encouraging excessive late-season growth. Fall is also one of the most important times to apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent cool-season weeds like poa annua, chickweed, and henbit from establishing during winter. Continued mowing and proper watering remain important through early fall but should gradually decrease as growth slows. Proper fall care helps centipedegrass transition more smoothly into dormancy while reducing weed pressure and improving spring performance.