How to Care for St. Augustine Grass in Central Florida

Water the St. Augustine grass once per week or whenever the blades begin to wilt. Provide 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch of supplemental irrigation each time you water to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Increase or decrease the frequency of watering, as needed.

Fertilize St. Augustine grass approximately twice each growing season to ensure that it has access to the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Feed your lawn with 15-0-15 or 15-2-15 fertilizer, applied according to product directions. Do the first fertilizer application in the early spring, two weeks after new spring growth is observed. Give your lawn the second application of fertilizer at the beginning of July.

Mow St. Augustine grass once per week, or once every two weeks, as needed. Avoid mowing the grass lower than 3 1/2 inches tall; repeatedly cutting the St. Augustine shorter than the specified height may damage its root system.

Treat your St. Augustine grass with a postemergence herbicide, if necessary, to control weed growth. Use an herbicide product that specifically states that it is safe to use on St. Augustine lawns. Apply the herbicide according to package instructions.