St Augustine Sod Maintenance Recommendations

Savannah’s Landscaping Service Maintenance guide provided by the Colledge of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (University Of Georgia)

This is a general information guide provided by the University Of Georgia.  Savannah’s Landscaping Services clients should remember that each lawn is different and that each section of their own lawn is different.  Its many factors that go into a good maintenance program that can’t be summed up in a post.  The intent of this post is to give our clients a base for a healthy St. Augustine lawn after our installation services.

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Mowing Height: 

2″-3″ raise 0.5″ higher in hot weather. Remove no more than 1/3 of total height at one time

Water:

1″ per week if no rainfall.  30 days of watering allowed for newly planted sod or seed.  Sod laid in fall or winter months should be kept moist.

Ideal pH Range: 5.5 – 6.5

Use dolomitic lime per soil test.  Can be applied at any time.

Aeration:

Use a core aerator during the active growth season.

Dethatch:

If thatch exceeds 0.5″ deep use a vertical mower with blades 1″ apart; go over the lawn in only one direction.  Top dressing with 0.25″ of soil can be effective.

Seeding – New lawn:

St. Augustinegrass cannot be established from seed.

Sodding:

500 ft2 per pallet is typical.

Weed Control:

Read the product label carefully to determine which weeds are controlled and on which grasses the product can be used

Spring preemergence*

prevents crabgrass, goosegrass, and other summer weed seeds from sprouting.

Broadleaf postemergence*

Spot spray kills broadleaf plants like chickweed, wild violet, dandelion, wild onion, etc.  Herbicides like 2,4-D and MCPA cause injury, especially during green-up.

Grassy weed postemergence*

Prevents chickweed and other winter weed seeds from sprouting.

*Read weed control product labels carefully.  Some products cannot be applied within a few weeks of establishment or spring transition.