How to Get Nice Grass in a Sandy Yard in Central Florida

Soil pH Testing

• 1

  Send a soil sample to the University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Laboratory. Some of the University's local extension offices also offer this service. Contact your local county extension to find out if they conduct soil testing. The soil test results will show you the pH of your soil, along with any nutrients that are deficient. The pH can help you decide which species to plant, as raising or lowering pH is costly and it's much more effective to choose a turfgrass species that can tolerate your soil's pH.

• 2

  Apply dolomitic lime if the soil test reveals that the pH is below 5.5 and the magnesium levels are less that 20 ppm. Apply calcitic lime to the soil if the pH is below 5.5 and magnesium levels are sufficient based on the test results. Ask the University of Florida lab the correct rates, as liming rates are highly variable depending on the amount of organic material in the soil and the actual pH.

• 3

  Choose a turfgrass species based on your soil pH if no liming is required to raise the pH. Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, centipede, St. Augustine and zoysiagrass will all grow in soil pHs ranging from 5.5 to 6.4. Bermudagrass, St. Augustine and zoysiagrass will grow in soil pHs ranging from 6.5 to over 7.5. Other factors to consider when choosing your grass species is establishment method: Bahiagrass comes as seed or sod; Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass and St. Augustine are available as sprigs, sod or plugs; centipede is available as seed or vegetative forms. In general, however, most Florida lawns are established using sod.

Soil Amendment and Planting

• 4

  Add approximately 3 inches of organic soil amendment such as well-aged compost based on the results of your soil test. The soil test results should tell you the percentage of organic material in your soil. Ideally, you want an organic content percentage of 10 percent or more, but anything over 3 percent will help your turfgrass. Commercially available compost typically consists of aged animal manure.

• 5

  Work the compost into the top 4 inches of soil with a tiller.

• 6

  Plant your chosen turfgrass species in its growing season. For example, Bermudagrass grows April through September; plant Bahiagrass anytime between mid-spring and early summer; avoid planting St. Augustine grass during the coldest and hottest months.

Care

• 7

  Water your newly planted sod with short, frequent waterings following planting. Sod has short roots in a thin layer, too much water can damage the young roots.

• 8

  Fertilize your newly planted turf 60 days after planting with a high-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer. In general, organic fertilizers release more slowly than synthetics, although there are several fertilizers labeled as slow-release. Apply nitrogen at a maximum rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn.

• 9

  Mow your lawn as needed at the recommended height for the species. For example, St. Augustine grass should be kept somewhat tall at 3 1/2 to 4 inches.