Saint Augustine grass is one of the excellent additions in beautifying and maintaining a rich landscape. It is scientifically referred to as _Stenotaphrum secundatum_ and is often used in lawns and pastures. Like other grass types, maintaining its beauty and controlling seeding in Saint Augustine grass requires dedicated care and attention.
Several issues are likely to arise when the grass is going to seed, the most significant being its rough text on the feet. This can make the Saint Augustine rough and difficult to walk on.
Overcoming such issues is not difficult when the right fix is applied. It is easy to restore the grass to its natural gentle text and, much more, its magnificence. This requires sufficient care throughout the year, which involves but is not limited to the following:
* Ensuring sufficient watering during the morning hours
* Changing the watering patterns for the various seasons
* Use of the right kind of fertilizers all year around
* Regular lawn mowing
Appropriate adherence to the highlighted practices will reduce the length and severity of the seeding.
ST AUGUSTINE GOING TO SEED CONTROL TIPS AND PRACTICES
While seeding is a normal occurrence, some practices have proved vital in Controlling Seeding in Saint Augustine Grass. These practices have affirmed that they can reduce the duration of the lawn seeds. Here’s how to fix St. Ausustine going to seed.
PROPER FERTILIZATION
The first most crucial step for controlling seeding in Saint Augustine grass involves applying the appropriate fertilizer while following the guidelines outlined by the manufacturers. It is also critical not to apply higher amounts than the recommended since this can negatively damage the lawn.
Typically, maintaining St. Augustine grass in an excellent state requires a good quality fertilizer. One should also apply the fertilizer while sticking to appropriate intervals within the year. Applying fertilizer in the month that precedes the winter season guarantees the best results with the grass. It is also vital to ascertain the presence of other trace elements in the fertilizer you use and the use of a winter-appropriate fertilizer during the winter.
APPROPRIATE LAWN WATERING
One of the critical steps in controlling seeding in Saint Augustine grass involves appropriately watering the lawn. It is highly recommended to water the grass in the mornings. This step is paramount in enhancing the provision of essential growth moistures during the day, especially when the grass’s growth is most active.
Usually, watering during the night achieves limited results since most water usually drains away. Another reason it is vital to avoid watering the grass during the night is to subject the grass to fungal diseases, which occur when the water sits for more extended periods on the lawn surface.
DISEASE CONTROL AND TREATMENT
Another reason that is a common cause of seeding in St. Augustine grass is the presence of diseases. The Brown Patch Lawn Disease is among the common diseases, which presents with brown patches. The other common disease is the gray leaf spot which presents with purplish spots on the leaves.
It is possible to prevent an attack with this disease by aerating the lawn, ceasing to fertilize the grass during the attack, applying wetting agents, and watering the grass during daybreak hours only. Furthermore, ensuring the maintenance of dry conditions is another method that can be applied to control the disease. One may also consider using the essential fungicides to control the disease.
PROPER LAWN MOWING
When the seeding signs appear, one must start mowing the lawn regularly. Mowing is advantageous in that it helps the lawn use its energy in mending the leaf of the grass first rather than producing seeds. Furthermore, it helps remove the seed heads more often, retaining the grass’s comfortable texture.
In addition to the highlighted tips, there are a couple of other essentials in controlling the seeding of Saint Augustine grass, including removal, proper aeration, weed control, and appropriate insect control.
Controlling Seeding in Saint Augustine Grass: THE BOTTOM LINE
Related article: Should you fertilize St. Augustine grass in the winter?