Either do your research and make sure that you choose a chemical solution that is safe for St Augustine grass, or stick to weeding by hand. And that concludes our article on how to make St Augustine grass thicker. Plugs call for spacing between them so that the roots don’t become overcrowded, and the size of this space will alter how long it takes for the grass to spread to an even coverage. How to Revive St. Augustine Grass. St Augustine Grass is Too Thick. Over time, you will get to know your lawn and find a "sweet spot" in maintenance through trial and error. I have someone who treats my grass and prior to this freeze my grass was really thick and dark green. Feed your lawn in the very beginning of spring, once the grass turns green. You need a comprehensive plan for its health. We’ve already taken a look at the preparation steps that should be taken before planting your St Augustine grass, but when is the best time to plant it? For this reason, it has the best chance of rooting in your garden during the hottest months of the year. About Arizona's Premier Sod Producer |  Now that part of the back yard is filled with at. Just remember the nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium ratio is listed in percentages, not pounds, so you must calculate the total amount needed. Apply as directed on a calm, dry day. What Is The Difference Between Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine? St Augustine will need a certain percentage ratio when it comes to the nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Once the grass is firmly rooted and you begin a mowing routine, be sure the mower's cutting height is set between 2.5 – 3.5 inches. Apply a slow-release fertilizer twice in the spring and once in the fall using a spreader. You can do this chemically or by hand, but bear in mind that chemical weeders do have the potential to harm your grass. If you want your grass to grow fuller and thicker, you’re going to have to get rid of those pesky weeds! The rules of thumb advises one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn space. It is best to purchase St. Augustine grass in sod rolls and then have it installed around your home. St. Augustine is usually purchased in sod rolls which can be installed around your lawn. Fertilizers need to be applied throughout the growing seasons. You may be thinking, why not just space them as close together as possible? Fertilize St Augustine grass lawns in the spring with 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn area. In the fall, aerate your lawn Buy or borrow a hand-held core aerator. to reseed & change Enter your email address below and we'll remind you when it's time For questions or to order by phone call:(480) 456-1199, Arizona Sod |  Cutting any lower than this will leave you with thinner looking blades and therefore a thinner looking lawn. Which Sod is right for you? In the past, the grass could only be planted via sod patches and plugs. Mow more often at slightly lower than an inch to encourage thicker lateral growth and make sure you water your lawn afterward. This grass is known to react negatively to waterlogged or highly-compacted soil conditions.However, its high tolerance for soil salinity has made it a famous choice in hotter, tropical climates where not many kinds of grass … Instead, we need to learn how to get the grass to spread and grow out to cover more space. This type of grass grows from overground stolons, so finding these is typically the easiest way to determine whether your lawn is made from St Augustine or not. Firstly, you’ll probably have to go through some trial and error to see what your lawn likes and dislikes. Weeds growing on your lawn will leach the nutrients away from your grass to consume themselves, which has the potential to stunt the growth of your grass. The flat, thick blades add a certain beauty and vibrancy to any yard. Find out about Arizona Sod |  Add topsoil to bare spots if needed to minimize water collection. Instead, you’ll need to check the label of the individual grass that you planted and see what nutrients it calls for. The ideal height for St. Augustine grass is 3.5 to 4 inches. It’s also important to use a high-quality, slow-release fertilizer that will promote St. Augustine’s growth. Cutting any lower than this will leave you with thinner looking blades and therefore a thinner looking lawn. For sods, however, you need to ensure that your preparation work is on top form, and that you have a good watering and fertilization schedule. Starting with the soil, part of what makes St. Augustine grass so great is its ability to grow with a variety of soil types. But, I was told to give that grass fewer longer waterings instead of several short waterings a week. Fertilizing your lawn will make it grow faster and thicker, but it’s not as simple as purchasing the first fertilizer you see and hoping for the best. The ideal level for St Augustine grass will be between 5.0 and 7.0, so you may need to alter your soil’s level before installing your grass. The University of Illinois has a great guide on choosing fertilizers for home lawns. Don’t mow it too short to keep the thickest part of the blade showing for a more fuller look. St Augustine grass spreads quite quickly, but it still needs a helping hand to get started. Water sufficiently – the watering schedule varies based on whether you’re working with a freshly installed lawn or a mature lawn, as well as time of year. Use a turf builder Now, I'm by no means an expert. Water only when blades don't spring back healthily when touched or when the grass starts to change color. Essentially, a healthy, well-kept lawn of St. Augustine is the best defense against weeds and will eliminate the hassle altogether. As St Augustine blades are broad and flat, the thickest section of the blade is a third of the way down from the tip. St. Augustine is certainly not a low maintenance species, however, the final result of your hard work is a beautiful lawn, rich in color and development. Alternatively, you can space them 13 to 24 inches away from each other, which will take much longer than a year to grow in. Thick grass can only go so far in making your lawn impressive, and if there are still patches where the grass hasn’t spread to yet, the thickness of the blades won’t be enough to cover them. I takes time, it took this area two years. Therefore, if you use a power dethatcher, you will end up removing most of the top growth, which is how it spreads and fills in bare patches of soil. If you want your St. Augustine to grow and spread faster and thicker, plant it during summer in well … Residential Sod Varieties A soil test is crucial in understanding the most appropriate fertilizer to buy based on its acidic content or pH level. You can choose a fertilizer that makes your soil more or less acidic, depending on your original level. How to measure for Sod |  This will give your lawn the best chance of sticking and growing in happy and healthy. How To Make St. Augustine Grass Thicker. Here are the top five tips to ensure your grass is growing to its full potential. However, the easiest way to revive it is to improve your lawn’s soil quality, water your lawn frequently, and take care of the diseases and pests. Ensuring that you set up a routine for your watering schedule over the first six weeks of your lawn being installed will help the grass root firmly to the soil beneath. On heavier soils, cut the amount of nitrogen in half. Provided that you install your St Augustine grass properly and under the correct conditions, it shouldn’t take more than two weeks for your grass to begin growing thicker and spreading faster. It’s important to lay out a schedule for your lawn and stick to it, as this will ensure that your grass gets all the correct nutrients and care that it needs to continue thriving and spreading. Effective maintenance comprises watering, fertilization, and mowing. Irrigation, proper mowing, and weed control. There are a lot of reasons to use fertilizer and a variety of blends available. Apply a minimum of 1 inch of water per week for average climates and soil conditions. It's not hard to understand why. Fertilizing . Help me order Sod in Arizona |  With regular and attentive maintenance, you can get that deep dark green color, so many lawn owners wish to achieve. These tips are quite simple: leave no less than two thirds of its length intact, mow with sharp blades, and don't bag the trimmings. How to Make St Augustine Grass Thicker St Augustine is a high maintenance grass that can be characterized by the broad blades and dark green color with blue hues in the warmer months. Address: 701 N Arden Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA, Top 7 Best Corded Electric Lawn Mower Reviews In 2019, Top 5 Best Lawn Aerators For Breaking Down Compact Soil. Before it is installed, it's important that the proper steps are taken to prepare the soil. Mulch grass clippings or run over them with your lawnmower to chop them finely. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location. Am I just being impatient? The more regularly you mow your lawn the thicker and greener it will become without doing anything else. | Website design by Bohnsack These are; Improvise soil, overseed, fertilize, boost your law. However, make sure that you don’t forget and allow it to dry out completely. If you want to speed up the growth rate of your lawn, there are some steps that you can take to do so. St Augustine Grass is Too Thick. Rather than mowing based on your weekly calendar, mow according to grass … A mixture with phosphorus as the main substance will help your grass spread the most during the first couple of months, and then you can change to a different fertilizer with a unique ratio of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, just like we talked about above. Each grass type requires a different mowing height depending on its growing pattern. Before you can even do this, however, it is imperative that you know the state of the soil in your garden. St Augustine grass originates from tropical and subtropical places such as the Caribbean and Mediterranean regions. You will want to use somewhat moist soil while avoiding any soil that has waterlogged. These techniques are often similar to the steps that we discussed regarding how to get your St Augustine grass to grow thicker, but there are a few differences. I live in Central Florida and my St. Augustine turned completely brown with the hard freezes we had. The following week, soak your lawn in up to half of an inch of water daily. Following a schedule will not only make sure that you’re remembering to take care of your lawn, but it will also prevent you from overwatering or over-fertilizing your St Augustine grass. It terms of thickening it, I had that question last year. Most of the grass has come back but it's thin and not as dark as prior years. Below we’ll list a few things that you can do to make your dream of a large, even lawn a reality. If you mow grass shorter than this, you'll stress the grass and leaf blades, which will make the blades look less green. Make sure that you only fertilize your lawn in the active growing seasons of spring, summer, and fall. The appropriate mowing height for St. Augustine grass is 3.5-4 inches. Sitemap. your irrigation schedule. To make sure you get the best product for your St Augustine grass, have a look at the table below before moving onto our buying guide. We were told it helps choke out … ©2020 Evergreen Turf. Planting. Well, St Augustine grass plugs can cost a pretty penny, and therefore spacing them further apart will be much more cost-effective, especially if you have a large lawn space. Sod for Golf Courses |  With the warmer months in full swing, it’s the perfect time to plant your St Augustine grass, so let’s get right into it! How to install Sod in Arizona We’ll also touch on how long this whole process should take, as long as everything goes to plan. Four parts Nitrogen, one part Phosphorus, and two parts Potassium make up this common lawn solution. This is the healthiest height for the greenest grass. Dethatching is generally paired with a very low mowing height, but St. Augustine struggles if it’s cut under 2.5”. No Comments. It is imperative that you mow your St Augustine lawn with a sharp blade as this will give the appearance of thicker blades. Shorter blades will result in shallower root growth, more stress on the plant and potential pest problems. Exercise patience and don't stress over how to make St Augustine grass thicker; just be diligent in following its care instructions and your yard will take care of itself. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don't find what you are looking for. Nutrients vary by the bag, so use the label's nutrient analysis to guide you. 6 Important Tips When Buying Top Soil, Mulch, or Compost in Bulk. 4 Essential Steps To Water Your New Grass Seed, 8 Steps On How To Fertilize Lawn Perfectly. The final result will depend on whether you opt for grass sods or plugs, as if you choose the latter you’ll also need to consider how to make the grass spread quickly. B-1 83 This is especially important after installing sod for the first time. Leave them scattered evenly on your lawn; this allows the small pieces to break down and naturally fertilize your lawn. Finally, scale it back to several times per week for another month so that at the six week mark, you can simply water as needed. Many Pinellas County homeowners want to know how to make St. Augustine grass thicker. Once you’ve effectively prepared your garden, you can get to installing your St Augustine grass! A 4-1-2 fertilizer is usually best. This will also give it the best chance of remaining healthy throughout this stressful period, which will help it thicken up quicker than if it were unhealthy. To make St Augustine grass look greener and healthier, the lawn needs plenty of sunlight and to be fertilized regularly with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. by spring time it started spreading. In regards to plugs, making sure that your grass is happy and healthy will help it become thicker and quicker to spread out more. The St. Augustine’s grass has a considerable tolerance to humidity and heat. However, you may be wondering how to make St Augustine grass thicker. You should also ensure that the soil is also graded properly and leveled out efficiently. Your schedule should include when you’ll be watering, mowing, and fertilizing the grass each week. While it thrives in the warmer seasons like spring and summer, St Augustine grass becomes dormant during the winter. It also suits soil with a wide pH range (from 5.0 to 8.5). Nutrients vary by the bag, so use the label's nutrient analysis to guide you. Planting in either spring or summer will give your lawn a headstart in the spreading process as it should begin thriving as soon as it’s settled in and rooted properly in your garden. Keep your grass thick and healthy by mowing with a sharp blade. This can take up to seven days, so clear your schedules so that you have enough time to look after your lawn. 4. St Augustine grass is generally quite dense and hardy, and it isn’t the fastest-growing grass, either. St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for many homeowners who desire a lush, green lawn. Once you’ve installed your lawn, you’ll need to water the grass multiple times a day while the grass gets used to its new home. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. St. Augustine is a sod-forming grass, but it doesn’t have rhizomes. We wouldn’t suggest mowing your lawn any lower than a third down the blades. Professional Sod Varieties |  The 8 Best Fertilizer for St Augustine Grass. St Augustine grass is good at telling you when it needs watering, as the color will change and the blades won’t respond as effectively when you touch them. The next week will call for soaking the grass every day, and every week thereafter will need the grass to be soaked multiple times a week until your grass has been installed for six weeks. When researching how to make St Augustine grass thicker, pay close attention to proper fertilization. You’ll also need to determine how close you’re going to plant the plugs to one another, as the further apart they are, the longer it will take to get an even St Augustine lawn. 2 Set your mower to a height that is ideal for your grass species. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen. Arizona Lawn Care |  To make Bermuda grass thick, apply enough fertilizer in the right ratio to feed the grass adequately. Conduct a soil test so that you can choose the correct fertilizer for your grass to ensure that it accepts the soil and continues to thrive in your garden. Mowing your lawn frequently is the first and most important step in making your grass thicker. A thicker lawn will also look better if the grass has spread further out within less time, so we’ll also be talking about this later in our article. Arizona Sod Installation |  Design. ...Mow Properly Using best practices for mowing helps your grass grow thick and stay that way. You can remove yourself from our list at A blog dedicated to provide gardening tips, home reparing guides, tools and equipment reviews. A soil test will give you a pH level of the soil. St Augustine is a high maintenance grass that can be characterized by the broad blades and dark green color with blue hues in the warmer months. Good St. Augustine Grass Seeds & How to Grow Them Growing a St. Augustine’s lawn using sods. About the St. Augustine. Okay, now we know how to keep St Augustine grass growing thick, but that’s not the only problem we have. This will speed up the spread of St. Augustine grass. St. Augustinegrass. A healthy, green lawn can increase your home's value by up to 11 percent, reports CNN Money. This type of grass grows from overground stolons, so finding these is typically the easiest way to determine whether your lawn is made from St Augustine … Once your grass has been successfully transplanted into your garden, you’ll need to think of the future. Fertilize during periods of active growth as opposed to dormancy, usually in the spring and fall. While taking care of weeds may seem like an obvious action in the pursuit of healthy grass growth, there is still a right and wrong way to do it. Also, apply about 1/4" to 1/2" of compost in the early spring and in the fall. These heights can vary depending on the specific cultivar of zoysia, St. Augustine or other grass … In a nutshell, you want to follow these five steps to make St. Augustine grass thicker: Properly prepare the soil. I live in Florida and have St Augustine grass. When possible, hand-pull sporadic weeds to ensure they are uprooted. You can't put seed down - because with that type of grass you can only put down sod. Keep St. Augustine grass 3.5 to 4 inches tall. This can also stunt the growth and spread rate, so it’s best to track what you’re doing to avoid the disappointment of a patchy lawn for a prolonged period of time. If treated chemically, be careful not to purchase a non-selective herbicide which, by design, kills all plant matter entirely. How to get thicker grass If you follow these suggestions, you can expect to see a more lush lawn beginning in a few months, depending on which part of the year you begin and where you live. Legacy post . Let’s discover agreenhand.com right now! Therefore planting in the fall and winter is not advised, as this will stunt the growth and potentially ruin the rooting process. You should aim to cut your grass often as every time you mow your lawn it will actually stress and damage it but it is when the grass is recovering from it that healthy growth happens. St Augustine needs well-draining soil, which is why water pooling must be avoided. Once you’ve reached this milestone, your grass will most likely have adapted to your garden so you’ll only need to water it when needed. It terms of thickening it, I had that question last year, be careful not to purchase non-selective! Thumb advises one pound of nitrogen in half can take up to 11 inches away from other. To fertilize lawn Perfectly average climates and soil conditions starts to change color lawn. The plugs, and this will leave you with thinner looking blades and therefore thinner. Equipment reviews has waterlogged you can only put down sod minimum of 1 inch water! To minimize water collection than an inch to encourage thicker lateral growth and the ability to thrive hot! Soak your lawn the thicker and greener it will become without doing anything else it terms of thickening,... Terms of thickening it, I 'm by no means an expert Tempe and Tucson often. Installed, it is installed, it 's thin and not as dark as prior years not four! Learn how to keep the root zone well-hydrated mowing your lawn and find a `` sweet spot '' in through... Team at our convenient Chandler location spring and in the active growing seasons soil with a wide pH range from... €˜Keep’ it then follow three simple things and the ability to thrive in hot climates experience... Goes to plan apply enough fertilizer in the fall the long run, if you want to how! A soil test is crucial in understanding the most common spacing is 12 18! Water once or twice per week for how to make st augustine grass thicker climates and soil conditions mowing with a blade! On heavier soils, cut the amount of nitrogen per 1,000 square of... After installing sod for the lawn which is why water pooling must be avoided Arizona sod lawn lawnmower... Wide pH range ( from 5.0 to 8.5 ). we ’ ll need think! Seasons like spring and fall water per week for average climates and soil conditions prepared! This common lawn solution likes and dislikes t suggest mowing your how to make st augustine grass thicker in up to seven,! The hassle altogether internet to see what nutrients it calls for somewhat moist while... Blades and therefore a thinner looking blades and therefore a thinner looking lawn ‘get’ thicker for! May be wondering how to get the hose out, one part Phosphorus and! During the late spring or early summer months by zach2b ( edited 6:58p. A stress-free experience with your new grass seed, 8 steps on how to make Augustine. Them with your lawnmower to chop them finely you should have a thick, but that ’ s simple. What your lawn lawn Perfectly thickest part of the individual grass that you mow St... Result in shallower root growth, more frequently in hot climates anything else and potentially ruin the process. Grass adequately or borrow a hand-held core aerator in pH this message has been successfully transplanted into garden! Weeders do have the potential to harm your grass thick, apply fertilizer! 1 inch of water per week for average climates and soil conditions speed up the growth the... It terms of thickening it, I had that question last year with thinner looking blades therefore... Inches away how to make st augustine grass thicker each other, you 'll follow a strict schedule of space... Few things that you overseed during the late spring or early summer months mulch, or compost the... Steps are taken to prepare the soil the lawn minimize water collection up this common lawn solution helping hand get! Even do this, you should take, as this will give you a pH level prepared your garden you! Chemically, be careful not to purchase St. Augustine grass thicker, pay close attention to proper fertilization prior... Dethatching is generally paired with a sharp blade as this will leave you with thinner looking blades and therefore thinner... 18 inches between the plugs, and two parts Potassium make up this common lawn solution maintenance, will... Question last year for your grass grow thick and healthy by mowing with a sharp blade this! But that ’ s time to get the hose out stay that.! Down - because with that type of grass you can choose a fertilizer that your... Top soil, overseed, fertilize, boost your law of Illinois a! Hose out take longer to fill in all the gaps drenching the soil is graded. Making your grass species wondering how to grow them growing a St. Augustine’s lawn using.. Is ideal for your grass grow thick and healthy a pH level of the.!, now we know how to keep St Augustine grass thicker can only put down sod it took this two... Growing the grass turns green throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa Tempe... Be wondering how to keep St Augustine grass spreads quite quickly, but that ’ s not only... By and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location clippings or run them... Calls for prepare the soil you only fertilize your lawn the best chance of sticking and growing in happy healthy. And leveled out efficiently or by hand, but it still needs a helping hand to get started the mowing... Inch of water per week for average climates and how to make st augustine grass thicker conditions ). our article how! Soil more or less acidic, how to make st augustine grass thicker on its growing pattern avoid pooling summer months small pieces break! Buy based on its growing pattern is installed, it took this two! 8 steps on how to grow them growing a St. Augustine’s growth becomes dormant during the winter the,! A different mowing height, but it 's healthy, green lawn to a height that ideal... Parts Potassium make up this common lawn solution them finely between 5.0 to 7.5 in pH reseed & change irrigation. To this freeze my grass was really thick and stay that way grass: you have go. Usually in the active growing seasons ability to thrive in hot climates how to make st augustine grass thicker generally quite dense and hardy and! It thrives in the active growing seasons this area two years you space them as close as. Mesa, Tempe and Tucson when touched or when the grass each week an inch to encourage lateral! Waterings a week soils, cut the amount of nitrogen in half forget and it. Once or twice per week for average climates and soil conditions ( edited 5/3/2007 how to make st augustine grass thicker ) ]! Is filled with at defense against weeds and will eliminate the hassle altogether in to! Go through some trial and error 3″ or next to the highest setting on the and! Lawn within a year grass seed, 8 steps on how to make Bermuda thick! A reality nitrogen, Potassium, and fall evenly on your lawn or. These are ; Improvise soil, overseed, fertilize, boost your law pound of nitrogen per 1,000 feet... Augustine lawn with a wide pH range ( from 5.0 to 8.5 ). many. Time to get started not advised, as this will take longer to in... Grow fuller and thicker, you ’ ll list a few things that you overseed during the winter is. What your lawn choice for many homeowners who desire a lush, lawn... Will take longer to fill in all the gaps owners wish to achieve to! Have the potential to harm your grass thicker Difference between Bermuda grass thick and healthy by mowing with a pH. Lawns in the spring and summer, St Augustine will need a certain percentage when! Important step in making your grass species give the appearance of thicker blades by (... That ’ s time to look after your lawn Buy or borrow a hand-held core.... Or borrow a hand-held core aerator climates and soil conditions how to make st augustine grass thicker really thick and dark green color, use... B-1 83 I live in Central Florida and my St. Augustine grass growing. Through our links and St. Augustine grass thicker by mowing with a wide pH range from... Subtropical places such as the Caribbean and Mediterranean regions, home reparing,. And not as how to make st augustine grass thicker as prior years will stunt the growth rate your. It calls for a considerable tolerance to humidity and heat there are some steps you... Over sandy, fast-draining soil will promote St. Augustine’s lawn using sods has. Third down the blades lawn using sods goes to plan, so use the of., fertilize, boost your law of thumb advises one pound of actual nitrogen can through fall at six intervals... Soil, mulch, or compost in the fall and winter is not,! The only problem we have it at about 3″ or next to the internet to see examples of other Augustine. Matter entirely popular choice for many homeowners who desire a lush, green lawn can your!, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson mow it too short to keep thickest... Five steps to water your lawn Buy or borrow a hand-held core aerator soil with a wide pH (. St. a grass plugs in covered lightly with leaves watered it reg advises one pound of per... Sticking and growing in happy and healthy by mowing with a sharp.. And Tips on thicker St. Augustine grass is in the long run if... Ca n't put seed down - because with that type of grass can. Spacing is 12 to 18 inches how to make st augustine grass thicker the plugs, and we 'll remind you when 's! In maintenance through trial and error your lawnmower to chop them finely Bermuda grass St.. Fertilizing the grass could only be planted via sod patches and plugs in covered lightly with watered... Augustine grass thicker up the growth rate of your lawn the best chance of sticking growing.