St. Augustine grass is one of the most widespread turf in the United States. Homeowners prefer it to other warm-season grasses due to its several benefits. This grass is highly tolerant to drought and heat, can handle heavy foot traffic, and naturally prevents weeds. If you want to grow this turf, read this guide on how to make St Augustine grass spread quickly.
To make St Augustine grass spread quickly, ensure you prepare and aerate the soil, plant the turf during summer, apply phosphorus fertilizer, and water appropriately. After planting, apply fertilizer high in phosphorous and water the lawn regularly and deeply. Also, ensure you control weeds as soon as they appear and mow at the right height. All these practices will accelerate the spread of St Augustine grass.
How to Make St. Augustine Grass Spread Quickly
St Augustine lawn is laid with sods or plugs. For it to become lush, you must wait for these to spread and fill the planted area. You can do the following to create a fuller and thicker lawn faster.
1. Prepare the soil appropriately
Before you plant St. Augustine grass in your yard, improve the soil condition to boost its growth and spread. Use well-drained and aerated sandy soil with a pH of 5.0 – 8.5. Avoid using waterlogged or clay soil or one that contains too much compost. You can also top-dress the area with sandy soil to encourage runners and stolons to spread faster and fill bare spots.
2. Apply the right fertilizer
Nourish the soil with Greenway Biotech’s Monoammonium Phosphate (12-61-0) fertilizer to stimulate root growth. As you can see, the fertilizer is 61% phosphate. Use this fertilizer in the first few weeks post-establishment. Switch to a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer once your grass has the desired spread.
3. Plant your lawn in summer
St Augustine is a warm-season grass that thrives during summer. Therefore, plant it in mid-summer when the conditions are optimum for growing. This will encourage your grass to spread quickly.
4. Properly water your lawn
Besides applying fertilizer, watering your St Augustine lawn the first few weeks after installation is vital to achieving a healthy property. So, water it deeply twice daily for the first 10 days. In the following days, follow the right watering schedule in your region.
5. Control weeds
Remove weeds when you notice them in your lawn as they compete with your turf for nutrients and water. They also hinder the spread of St Augustine’s lawn. You can use broadleaf herbicides or pull them manually.
6. Mow appropriately
Mowing at the right height and frequency is key to achieving a thick, lush St. Augustine lawn. Avoid cutting over one-third of the turf height, and use sharp mower blades.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does St. Augustine grass spread after sodding?
A: St. Augustine grass has rhizomes and stolons, which help it spread a few days after sodding. These runners below the surface and above the ground begin to spread quickly once the turf is well established. For its roots to develop and spread faster, you must sod in sandy, warm, moist, and well-draining soil. Also, ensure there is full sun and apply fertilizer high in phosphorous.
Q: How do I make my St Augustine thicker?
A: To make your St Augustine grass thicker, ensure you plant it in sandy and well-draining soil. Also, keep your soil’s pH between 5.0 and 8.5 to achieve a thicker and fuller property. On top of that, if you notice bare spots, top-dress with sand and aerate the yard for the best outcomes.
Conclusion
St. Augustine grass is slowly becoming popular across the United States due to its several benefits. If you follow our guide on how to make St Augustine grass spread quickly, you’ll ultimately achieve a meticulously maintained lawn.
So, before you plant, prepare the soil appropriately and nourish it with a high-phosphorous fertilizer. Plant your new sod in summer and water it regularly and deeply to encourage vigorous growth.
Also, ensure you control weeds as soon as they appear and mow at the right height. All these practices will accelerate the spread of St Augustine grass.
