Warm season

St. Augustine

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Overview

The classic broad-blade tropical carpet, built for coastal California and shaded yards where warm-season color is non-negotiable.

Best For

Coastal residential lawns

Shaded courtyards

Beach-adjacent developments

Specifications

Blade: Broad, 8–10 mm
Sunlight: Sun to moderate shade
Water: Moderate – High
Traffic: Moderate
Mow: 1 ½ to 2 ½ in

About St. Augustine

St. Augustine Grass in California

A robust, fast-growing, warm season grass

A warm season grass which offers a medium green color with a coarse, thickstemmed leaf and texture and a creeping growth habit via stolons. Robust, fast-growing, establishes rapidly. Very shade tolerant and may go dormant in the winter.

Available at these farms

Moreno Valley, CAStockton, CA

Download Spec Sheet

General Rating

These ratings give a general guideline to help you choose the right sod for your needs. For in-depth questions, contact the farm nearest you.

Drought Tolerance

Disease Resistance

Wear Resistance

Shade Tolerance

Winter Color

Heat Tolerance

Maintenance Guide

Watering

For the first 20 days, water as needed to keep the topsoil moist to a 3-inch depth. After 20 days, water three or more times a week during warm weather. In cooler weather, water once or twice a week. Very little water is required during winter dormancy. Sandy soil requires more frequent watering than clay soil. Inland areas require more water than coastal areas. Special attention should be paid to slopes where runoff occurs and more frequent, shorter watering may be necessary. It is best to water between the hours of 4 and 10 AM for less wind evaporation.

Fertilization

Fertilize in six to eight week intervals during warm weather, depending on your lawn’s color. Light green is an indication that your lawn needs fertilizer. Use an all-purpose fertilizer and follow label directions.

Mowing

Mow seven to ten days after installation. Mow to a height of 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches with a rotary mower. St. Augustine should be mowed at least once a week during the warm season. Never mow more than one third of the blade at one time; it may injure the plant. During the fall, mowing height should be raised ½ inch to increase leaf area. The increased leaf area will help the grass accumulate energy reserves for the winter and help prevent weed invasion during the dormant season.

Diseases

St. Augustine is highly resistant to common disease problems. The appearance of brown spots may be a result of a watering problem. If brown spots remain after adjusting your watering routine, a disease may be present. Consult your sod specialist as soon as possible.

Weed & Insect

After your new sod has been established at least four weeks, you may begin pesticide application for insect control if necessary. Because pest and weed conditions vary from area to area, it is best to follow the recommendations of a sod specialist or local nursery in your area.

Dethatching

To minimize thatch, dethatch at least once every two years. It may be done as often as once a year. The preferable time to dethatch is in the spring.

Technical Data

Spec Sheet (PDF)

Technical Data

Common Name: St. Augustine
Species: Stenotaphrum Secundatum
Root Depth: 1 to 3 feet, depending upon soil type and watering patterns.

Adaptability

Soils Range: Fair tolerance to saline soil conditions.; Amendments are recommended for heavy clay soils to promote drainage.
Temperature Tolerance: 20°F. to 120°F.
ET0: .5 minimum, .7 preferred
pH Range: 5.0 to 8.5, 7.0 optimum
Shade Tolerance: Prefers full sun, but tolerates 60% shade.
Geographic Range: (Refer to temperature tolerance above.)