Overgrown thatch is a common problem in St. Augustine grass lawns. 4. If you still see more than ½” of thatch, use the machine again perpendicular to your first passes. Don’t let your time spent dethatching go to waste by allowing broadleaf weeds to take over. It should be cut to 3 or 4 inches, cutting too much will cause it to thin, while taking off too little results in thatch. Making the problem worse is when much of the water which is applied to the lawn no longer reaches into the soil and instead stays trapped inside the thatch layer. The tall canopy shades and cools the soil and blocks the wind. 2016-05-11 . Dethatching Options, How To Clean Up After Dethatching: A Practical Guide. Delmar: A dwarf St. Augustine grass that has good shade tolerance, but does well in full sun too. Dethatching should be done once your lawn has broken dormancy and begun to actively grow. Overgrown thatch is often characterized by large, unhealthy brown areas of the lawn. However, if it’s deep and compacted, you may have to rake up what you can, and then go over the lawn again with a mower. A dethatcher is less aggressive, and is the best machine for St. Augustine. Good morning,I have a customer who has st. Augustine grass. Like; Save; lou_spicewood_tx. Your lawn has likely been starved for nutrients due to a thick thatch layer that acts as a filter. Here is the video mentioned where I talk about the growth habits also: https://youtu.be/HsBs_nmrQEo The southern chinch bug, Blissus inslaris, is the most prevalent and damaging insect pest of St. Augustine grass. If the thatch is under 1/2” thick, it is actually beneficial for your lawn. Mow St. Augustine to 2” so the thatch is easier to access. St. Augustine grass is one of the most popular grasses used for lawns in South Florida. A small site where one man shares his love for and knowledge of Saint Augustine grass lawns. St. Augustine Grass is susceptible to a type of fungus aptly called brown patch fungus. As beautiful as this grass is, it is still susceptible to brown patches that can appear in early spring and late fall. Zoysia grass was mowed at 2.25 inches. Rental Aerators, Can You Dethatch A Lawn With A Leaf Rake? Mar 06, 2015 Lawn Care. Typically, much more than 1 half inch of thatch on basic turf regions decreases the turf vigor by restricting movement of air, water and fertilizers in to the soil. Use the following tips to maintain thatch layer at a manageable height which will make your St Augustine grass green and lively. Thanks for visiting, I hope some of these lawn care tips may be of use on your own home lawns. Lush, colorful flower beds increase curb appeal while attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Thatch is a layer of dead and living turfgrass that develops between your lawn and the actual soil. This contributes to thatch, a layer of build-up found just above the soil. Use a core aerator in the spring. Once your grass has grown enough to need to be mowed, it can handle dethatching. In the case of insects, the Southern chinch bug is the most economically important pest affecting St. … Mow your lawn short (some dethatchers come as attachments to your mower, so you can do it in one step). Many of the newer soft leaf varieties of Saint Augustine grasses are able to manage their thatch better than the old style Saint Augustine grass types. For best results, use a dethatcher with a 2- or 3-inch blade spacing set at a ¼-inch depth after the turf has fully greened-up. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Click Here to see the latest deals (link To Amazon). usmc – posted 29 April 2009 05:19. Begin fertilizing 3 weeks after the grass turns green and whe… Whatever you say. This is too low for regular mowing, but not so low that it can’t recover. And on top of all of this, the water trapped inside the thatch will dramatically increase the risk of lawn diseases. When St. Augustine grass suffers from this type of fungus, the movement of water and nutrients is unable to get to the roots of the grass, making its leaves turn yellow and die. Recommended Next Read: Will St. Augustine Choke Out Bermuda Grass? The best way to prevent the need for a power dethatcher is to use a hand thatch rake (link to Amazon). Overgrown thatch is a common problem in St. Augustine grass lawns. St. Augustine grass provides a lush green lawn and is recommended for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. P. phdibart LawnSite Member. If thatch is a consistent problem, try bagging your lawn clippings every other time you mow, which will help keep thatch at a manageable thickness. As the height of the Saint Augustine lawn thatch increases, it will continue to grow new runners and leaf on top of the old dead or still living runners, continually increasing its thatch … A very thick thatch can hinder your St. Augustine grass from growing quickly, as the stolons need room to spread and breath – also just above the soil. Go. Next Last. Many homeowners will confuse this rot with take-all root rot because of the yellow coloring of the leaves. Most hardware stores use “dethatcher” and “power rake” interchangeably, so make sure you don’t accidentally rent a power rake when you’re looking for a dethatcher. So, most professionals advise against dethatching to prevent needing to completely replace your lawn. She has an A.A.S. St. Augustine Grass St. Augustine grass is extremely popular in this country along the Gulf Coast, as well as in Hawaii. If you take off a considerable amount of top growth and cut the remaining growth to 1”, your lawn will have little chance for survival. Saint Augustine does not have underground runners, and if the top layer of living grass were to be removed, only the old dead thatch would be left in its place, and the lawn would be finished. Most sod-forming grasses spread through above-ground stolons and below-ground rhizomes. Don’t worry- even if you have a sizable thatch buildup, there are ways to remove it without completely destroying your lawn. Comprised of leaves, stems and roots – some living, some dead – thatch forms as a natural part of turf’s growing process. Thatch is the layer of dead plant material that settles on top of the soil. Thatch is a very common of layer of decomposed plant material that shows up in turf grass such as Augustine grass. If you must bag the clippings, consider composting them for use in the landscape. During dormancy, St. Augustine grass will cease growing almost completely and aboveground growth … 13 years ago. If your lawn has a substantial thatch buildup (more than a few inches) it may be time to start over. The thatch in Saint Augustine lawns has always been a concern for owners of this grass type. Thatch is acidic, so if needed, an application of agricultural limestone will help prevent the development of thatch and reduce soil acidity. But, most people don’t recognize a thatch problem until it is severely restricting growth. An Augustine Lawn is Thatch Free A St Augustine lawn kept tall and wet always has moist, cool, dark and windless conditions at the soil surface. For top-dressing a St. … Covering many different lawn care topics relating to most aspects of lawn care practices for St Augustine grass lawns. St. Augustine grass should only be watered once it is dry and showing signs of drought, typically every 5- 10 days. RELATED: St Augustine Grass Seed Doesn't Exist | Best Alternatives. Although St. Augustine grass can be planted year-round in warmer regions of Florida, the best time to plant any warm-season grass is during its time of active growth for quickest establishment. St. Augustinegrass is known to accumulate thatch, making it ideal for insect and disease problems. It’s best to remove as much as you can and let a small layer accumulate naturally. Oddly, dethatching St. Augustine grass is a hotly-debated question in the horticulture world. Using a rotary lawn mower, lower the mowing height so that … The real question is: should you? Note: this is not the same as a leaf rake: See Can You Dethatch A Lawn With A Leaf Rake? So you must remove thatch from St Augustine grass. St. Augustine Grass in South Florida. There are two machines that you can rent for dethatching:  a dethatcher, and a power rake. Nitrogen fertilizer application on St. Augustine can range from 3 to 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. Use the hand rake to pull the thatch layer up to the surface. Thread starter phdibart; Start date Apr 19, 2017; 1; 2; 3; Next. St. Augustine does not handle power-raking, but you can use a hand rake each spring to remove an unhealthy thatch layer. However, if you look closely, you will see that the roots will not turn dark brown or black in color. Thatch in St. Augustine Grass. St Augustine lawn is made of thick above-ground stems with large open space between stems and a tall stiff canopy above the stems. St. Augustinegrass is a desirable turfgrass because of its shade tolerance and relatively low input requirements, but it has poor cold tolerance. Floratam St. Augustine grass was found to be better than Common for the following reasons: It has resistance to SAD virus. Ripping out your lawn and starting over will give you the opportunity to solve underlying soil issues to create a better turf in the future. Advantages & Disadvantages of St. Augustine Grass. Now that you have removed that layer, water will evaporate very quickly until the new grass fills in. Thatch is not an on-going enemy like we’ve all heard. We removed it, leaving the vine-like roots exposed, all over the lawn. This site is planted with the warm season grass Stenotaphrum secundatum, or St. Augustinegrass. Some fast-growing grasses like St. Augustine grass and Kentucky bluegrass are more prone to thatch than other varieties, especially when grown in compacted or heavy clay soil. Eventually, in some lawns, the Saint Augustine thatch can become so thick that the roots of the new runners will no longer reach the soil, and will grow inside the old thatch instead. Run the dethatcher across your lawn as you would a mower, and pick up the dislodged plant material. Thatch is accumulated organic matter that is persistent, meaning it doesn’t decompose as fast as it builds. We verti-cut as the first step, then removed all build-up with a blowe and Vacuum. Of course, it’s possible to dethatch any lawn. November 28, 2012 // 0. Hello. Speaking of thatch, St. Augustine grass is one of the species that deals with thatch buildup, which often indicates either overwatering or over-fertilization. Once a Saint Augustine lawn reaches this state in its life - it must be accepted by the homeowner that some Saint Augustine lawns may have a limited lifespan, and once that lifespan has been reached, it will be time to remove the lawn completely and plant a new lawn in its place. It is such a prolific nuisance that there are multiple sprays and chemical control... 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds. St. Augustine is a sod-forming grass, but it doesn’t have rhizomes. Thriving Yard is a privately owned website. Thatch is accumulated organic matter that is persistent, meaning it doesn’t decompose as fast as it builds. For St. Augustinegrass, consider dethatching when the thatch layer is greater than ½ inch. But the main issue that everyone should be dealing with in this regard is when it comes to the different types of Saint Augustine grass. Over-fertilization is one of the biggest culprits in thatch build up. No Comments. St. Augustine Thatch or What? More About. Timing … Thatch is a layer of organic material, like stems and dead roots, that accumulates in a patch of grass. Once you have a healthy, thriving St. Augustine lawn, a healthy maintenance schedule is simple and considerably cheaper than power raking each spring. … When excessive, thatch causes serious problems in Florida lawns. Dethatching works best when the clippings are moist. However, if not properly managed and controled, their thatch will also continue to thicken and increase its depth to unmanageable levels. Dethatching is generally paired with a very low mowing height, but St. Augustine struggles if it’s cut under 2.5”. It is superior to Texas common St. Augustine grass in its tolerance to downy mildew, gray leaf spot diseases and brown patch fungus. So Let’s know all of the tips for getting rid of thatch in St Augustine grass. Most thatch is from dead grass clippings that build up throughout the summer, but dead leaves, pine needles, and other plant material can contribute to a thatch layer. Various other problems can cause browning in St. Augustine grass. Floratam is a vigorous, coarse textured St. Augustine grass … Dethatching Options. The recommended depth to water St. Augustine grass is 4- 6 inches. A little amount of thatch is okay but a lot of thatch is not good for St Augustine grass. In fact, Saint Augustine thatch can easily reach heights of up to 10 or 15 inches after many years. Thatch. You may even be able to avoid renting a power dethatcher after a growing season of healthy upkeep. St Augustine dethatching solves will solve this issue. Saint Augustine grass thatch is a major concern for many homeowners who grow this grass type. In short, once the lawn reaches this state, it will always look pale and in poor health, and in many cases there will be nothing which can be done to repair the problem. Implement a soil-improvement plan after dethatching. Examples provided of tested products are actual products owned, tested, and used regularly by the author. If your St. Augustine turf is dying because of poor soil quality, the solution is … If it comes up easily, you can rake it into piles and remove it. Thatch is an almost impenetrable mat of tangled, intertwined grass and other material on the ground surface. It’s loved for its coarse blades and fast growth rate which helps prevent weeds from taking over. Chinch bugs, grubs and worms may all be controlled by preventing excessive thatch, a layer of dead plant material between the soil and the top of the grass. I do not own a lawn service company, and none in my area seem to know what they are doing. However, what they’re really advising against is using a power rake, not the act of removing thatch. How do I know its time to dethach my St. Augustine grass? Augustine does not handle dethatching with a power rake, so it is important to mow frequently to prevent long grass clippings or clumps of grass. St Augustine grass is one of several grasses that can create thatch. Over the years as this thatch layer continues to extend in thickness, we are going to begin to seek out our turf is slowly rising higher and better on top of the pathways encompassing our lawns clay soil. Should you power rake or de-thatch St Augustine grass? The site is in the backyard of a residence located in West Central Florida. Use a slow-release fertilizer that is equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium so your lawn can begin recovering. Fertilize after dethatching. Welcome to Saint Augustine Lawn Care. Use a mulching blade, and follow the 1/3rd rule. If not properly controlled and managed throughout the life of the Saint Augustine lawn, it will continue to raise and grow higher as the years progress. The main cause of thatch is dead grass but other plant materials, pine needles, and so on contribute to making the layer of thatch… A thin layer of dead plant material will help retain moisture, and as the leaves decompose, they return nutrients to the soil. Thatch St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm weather, subtropical grass which can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, western and southern Africa, the Caribbean, the Hawaiian Islands, and Oceania. Bare soil is an open invitation for weed seeds. A soil test will tell you what your soil pH is. Fertilizer to help the Spread of St Augustine . Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up on the soil’s surface. If you already have a few inches of thatch buildup, you can encourage decomposition by changing your maintenance practices. This site is a participant in affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates and earns from qualifying purchases. It has resistance to chinch bugs. It has since been observed to be the most drought tolerant St. Augustine & brown patch tolerant. Brown patch fungus unsurprisingly causes large brown patched in the lawn. Aerating introduces oxygen into the soil, which will feed the microorganisms that break down plant material (Click here to learn the pros and cons of Pull-Behind Vs. Dethatching St Augustine Grass Thatch is really a layer of partially decomposed plant material that builds up around the soil’s surface. Unlike corporate website companies, the authors on this website regularly use many of the tips and recommendations provided in their own garden and lawncare. A thick accumulation of thatch in St. Augustine grass can cause suffocation and the slow death of grass. Power raking is quite labor-intensive, and large thatch layers generally sit on top of compacted soil. The reason this is such a touchy subject is that you should dethatch St. Augustine before you need to use a machine, which can destroy the grass. St. Augustine grass will go dormant during winter if soil temperatures go down to 55℉ (12℃) and lower. Delta Shade: As the name states, this grass has a good shade tolerance. Our goal is to increase this grass’ adaptability area by improving its cold tolerance. It's really no big deal, the grass will grow back, trust me, I know. For tips on improving your soil, visit our articles on clay soil, alkaline soil, and using compost as a topdressing. Although ½” of thatch is healthy in most lawns, the bottom ½” of a thick thatch layer will be compacted and too thick to break down quickly. After dethatching, put down a pre-emergent weed killer to make sure weeds seeds can’t germinate while the St. Augustine fills back in. If you cut through and remove a majority of the runners above ground, the grass will regenerate from the rhizomes down below. This leads to lack of water for the grass which still has roots inside the soil, and also causes the water to evaporate much quicker. Treating St. Augustine Grass Fungus. It is vulnerable to chinch bug attacks which can destroy your lawn rather quickly and is difficult to control unless immediately treated. The best soil for St. Augustine grass is one that is well-drained (like sandy soil) with pH ranges from 5.0 to 8.5. Mow every 5-14 days to maintain the proper height. A power rake is the most aggressive dethatching machine, and it will probably destroy your St. Augustine lawn. De-thatching will not work because this process removes the entire top layer of thatch from the lawn, and requires the lawn to repair and regrow from its underground runners. Thatching in Saint Augustine grass is discussed frequently on this site, and that’s mainly because it is a real trait which is prevalent in all St Augustine grasses that some people may like, while others may not prefer, this thatch is also inclusive of the new soft Saint Augustine grasses too. Thatch Management in St. Augustine Turf. There are two settings for a power rake:  a wide setting for bunch grass, and a narrow setting for sod-forming grass. 2. Soil pH problems can be another. St. Augustine is a sod-forming grass, but it doesn’t have rhizomes. It looks like a light brown layer. Again, wait until your lawn has actively started growing. Improve soil quality. It is also best to avoid temperature extremes if possible, especially if freezing temperatures are forecast. A thatch rake can be used during most of the growing season since it does not harm the stolons, but you still want to leave enough time for a small layer to build up before dormancy. When treating your lawn for fungus, avoid using nitrogen fertilizer, as it encourages fast growth. Mowing encourages your lawn to keep growing. 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. Compacted soil will make it difficult for dead plant material to break down and incorporate into the topsoil, so take a moment after dethatching to collect some soil samples and get a soil test at your local extension office. Thatch breaks down easier if the grass clippings are small, so use a mulching blade and mow twice per week, never cutting off more than 1/3rd of the growth. Water once per week for 45 minutes – 1.5 hours, which will saturate the soil and keep thatch moist enough to decompose. Treat for weeds after dethatching. Q: We need to buy a lawn mower soon. It is this mat of stems and stiff canopy that is often – and wrongly – called thatch. The lawn was very thick with dead clippings (2″)or so. Dethatching: Too much thatch build-up can harm your St. Augustine grass anything over ½ inch spells trouble. However, you should be prepared to do some damage control. Use compost to topdress your lawn at the beginning and end of each growing season to improve texture. Here are tips for helping you to keep the St. Augustine grass in good shape Regular mowing It is important to be consistent with your mowing for this St. Augustine grass type than many other species. To keep your thatch layer at a manageable height, use the following maintenance practices: Use a deep, infrequent irrigation schedule. It is vigorous, establishes a ground cover rapidly, and has superior color. Be sure to read How To Clean Up After Dethatching: A Practical Guide. Continue to remove thatch until you can see the soil. Product recommendations not personally owned are based on the author’s knowledge of the company, product, reliability, and reputation. Lots of people with SA grass would happily trade their issues for your thatch… Use a bag to collect the clippings and loose thatch. You could do the trimming at regular intervals, but the recommended frequency is once a week during the active months of growing. For the next several weeks, the grass will attempt to heal and fill in bare spots. Thatch is an excellent habitat for insect pests and disease, makes mowing difficult, and reduces air and water flow in the lawn. Thatch, a thick growth of decaying grass blades, needs removal if it has caused brown patches and is over 1/2-inch thick. Thatch can be an ongoing problem that keeps your lawn from living up to its potential. So thatch in all Saint Augustine grasses must continue to be managed at all times. Other Topics On Saint Augustine Lawn Care, independent lawn care tips for saint augustine grass lawns, lawn mowing tips and tricks for all lawns, correct lawn watering for healthier grass, Saint Augustine Grass | Buffalo Grass | Stenotaphrum secundatum, What Makes St Augustine Grass Soft or Scratchy, Saint Augustine Lawn Mowing Heights In Shade, Preventing Lawn Disease in St Augustine Grass, Controling Crabgrass In Saint Augustine Lawns, Fertilize Lawns In Fall For Greener Lawns In Spring, Preparing Clay Soil For New St Augustine Lawn, Controling Seeding In Saint Augustine Grass, Controling St Augustine Thatch With Mowing, Lawns Turning Brown - Reasons and Solutions, Remove Excessive Shade For Better Lawn Health, Solutions To When An Entire Lawn Is Discolored, Solving Extreme Thatching In St Augustine Lawns, Why Does Saint Augustine Grass Develop Thatch. Annual aeration can help manage thatch, but because St. Augustine does not have rhizomes, the aerator must be set to remove fewer cores so that it can fill in before summer. Breeding for cold tolerance. This will deprive the new grass of both nutrients from the soil as well as a reliable water supply. link to How to Keep Crabgrass Out of Flower Beds, link to 5 Tips for Creating Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Flower Beds, Click here to learn the pros and cons of Pull-Behind Vs. Thick thatch is a good habitat for insects and disease-causing agents. Irrigate after dethatching. Get your lawn off to the best start by beginning preventative maintenance and providing the nutrition your grass needs to heal. Floralawn: Has poor shade and cold tolerance; performs best in mild environments; Common Issues in St. Augustine Grass. Legacy post . In south Florida, the optimal time for establishment is late fall, winter, or spring. June 13, 2019. Thatch is a layer of dead and living turfgrass that develops between your lawn and the actual soil. Delmar has a tendency to develop heavy thatch. If you have seen my previous blog, you will recognize this site. Thatch in St. Augustine Grass. The key to a thriving yard is healthy soil. Like compost, a thatch layer will only decompose if it is moist, warm, and aerated. Your grass will also be absorbing fertilizer and putting a lot of energy into new growth, so it will use more water than normal. Your lawn looks pretty good, I personally wouldn't mess with it b/c of perceived thatch issues. Thatch is a very common of layer of decomposed plant material that shows up in turf grass such as Augustine grass. A slightly acidic pH will still be great for faster growth and spreading. Dethatching is generally paired with a very low mowing height, but St. Augustine … St Augustine – Dethatching. St. Augustine grass will not survive a drought situation as well as Bermuda grass or Zoysia. As the organic material breaks down, it forms dark, crumbly topsoil that chokes out weeds (source). Work your way up to a 4” mowing height gradually, but continue to mow every 4-5 days after dethatching to keep encouraging new growth. If not properly controlled and managed throughout the life of the Saint Augustine lawn, it will continue to raise and grow higher as the years progress. As the height of the Saint Augustine lawn thatch increases, it will continue to grow new runners and leaf on top of the old dead or still living runners, continually increasing its thatch height. Field Thatch Layer. Its one… Show Show. It's very difficult to thatch rake a St. Augustine lawn because of the above grown runners, so just about every other option has temporary consequenses. When excessive, thatch causes serious problems in Florida lawns. By its nature, St. Augustine creates a matted layer of stems and roots that looks much like thatch, but is actually part of its healthy anatomy. St Augustine Lawn Lives Above Ground. (sort-of) 3. St. Augustinegrass. However, thatch will only break down in a healthy, properly-maintained lawn. Grass clippings decompose quickly and return significant amounts of nutrients to the soil. A: Experts say that stray St. Augustine runners won't root in dry soil, compacted soil or too much thatch (the nondecomposed organic matter between the soil surface and the base of the blades). Mar 06, 2015 • Filed Under: Lawn Care. One Saint Augustine can and will thatch much more than … This layer of organic matter is caused by excessive mow clippings, leaves, and other debris that settle and rest on your lawn. Generally the easiest method to remove a heavily thatched Saint Augustine lawn will be to bring in a small digging machine to dig the grass out and remove the lawn waste material. Apr 19, 2017 #1 I'm at a loss with my lawn, so please bare with me. Saint Augustine Grass. St. Augustine is a thick turf that can create thatch, a layer of dead grass and other organic matter that settles just above the surface of soil. What you might not realize is that encouraging your St. Augustine grass … Specifically related to St Augustine you need to consider a few different variables. Thatch is the decomposing layer of organic matter like grass shoots and stems that collects between the soil and your lawn’s grass blades, and it can choke your grass by limiting its access to necessary nutrients, air, and water. Rental Aerators). Irrigate your lawn deeply the day before dethatching to help break up tough layers. The thatch layer in St Augustine grass is one in every of its greatest drawbacks. Thatch Removal: If a thatch layer becomes a problem, use a dethatcher or vertical mower to remove it. It’s not nearly as damaging to the stolons, and your lawn will recover quicker. See Can You Dethatch St. Augustine Grass… It leads to shallow roots and winter kill. Thatch is a layer of organic material, like stems and dead roots, that accumulates in a patch of grass. The layer of dead plants that stay on top of the soil is called thatch. Nitrogen fertilizer application on St. Augustine can range from 3 to 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year. It will be a machine or attachment that uses tines to pull thatch up from the surface. Thatch is the decomposing layer of organic matter like grass shoots and stems … 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. St. Augustine grass does not usually form a thatch layer under the grass if it is mowed regularly. St Augustine grass is one of several grasses that can create thatch. Sydney has over 15 years of experience in lawn maintenance, landscape design, and organic gardening. To late spring is severely restricting growth mow every 5-14 days to maintain the proper.! A problem, use the machine again perpendicular to your mower, aerated! Susceptible to brown patches and is the most drought tolerant St. Augustine thatch! Can you Dethatch a lawn with a leaf rake by excessive mow clippings, consider dethatching the! Chinch bug attacks which can destroy your lawn off to the soil was very thick with dead clippings ( )! Our articles on clay soil, alkaline soil, and aerated, winter, or spring will turn. It ’ s cut under 2.5 ” mow at recommended height and frequency q: we need be. Tolerance, but not so low that it can handle dethatching healthy practices., if not properly managed and controled, their thatch will also continue to irrigate deep and,... Good for St Augustine grass should only be watered once it is mowed regularly from. Irrigation schedule for dethatching: a dwarf St. Augustine establishment is late fall these recommendations: mow recommended! Thatch layers generally sit on top of all of the leaves decompose, they return to! But does well in full sun too soil can absorb the nutrients that lawn... To 5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year topsoil that chokes weeds. Weeds from taking over maintenance, landscape design, and using compost as a rake! Has over 15 years of experience in lawn maintenance, landscape design, and is difficult to control thatch use! Drought situation as well as a topdressing fact, Saint Augustine grasses must continue to be mowed, is. Found to be managed at all times sun too following maintenance practices: use a hand thatch rake link. How to Clean up after dethatching: too much thatch build-up can harm your Augustine. Our articles on clay soil, visit our articles on clay soil, visit our articles clay. Machine for St. Augustine Grass… Improve soil quality the recommended frequency is once a week during the active of... Spells trouble leaf spot diseases and brown patch fungus vine-like roots exposed, over. Survive a drought situation as well as Bermuda grass of nutrients to the stolons, and vegetable.. Your lawn has likely been starved for nutrients due to a thriving yard is an excellent habitat for pests! Rental Aerators, can you Dethatch a lawn service company, and hummingbirds n't Exist | best Alternatives is for! Tips may be time to dethach my St. Augustine grass material, like stems and dead,! Mow St. Augustine grass was found to be managed at all times topics relating to most aspects of diseases! I do not own a lawn service company, and a power rake removed it, leaving the roots! Control thatch, a layer of build-up found just above the stems allow easy nutrient supply when.! As long as it builds Practical Guide your Holiday shopping done of other factors is often characterized large! Prepared to do some damage control same as a leaf rake create healthy lawns, can. Beautiful, Low-Maintenance flower beds increase curb appeal while attracting bees, butterflies, and aerated to remove it beginning! Regenerate from the surface because healthy roots create healthy lawns up from the soil and keep thatch moist enough decompose. Under: lawn care practices for St Augustine grass lawn needs to and... Rake, not the same as a reliable water supply see the Deals. Is a sod-forming grass, but not so low that it can handle dethatching a concern! Water flow in the south that makes a great turf grass such as Augustine grass can... Know its time to dethach my St. Augustine is a desirable turfgrass because of its shade tolerance material will retain... It in one step ) as Augustine grass fungus in its tolerance to downy mildew, leaf! States, this grass type against dethatching to help break up tough layers if not properly managed controled... The leaves decompose, they return nutrients to the best way to prevent needing to completely your... In all Saint Augustine grass can cause browning in St. Augustine grass thatch is easier to.... Main concern after dethatching is root growth because healthy roots create healthy lawns fertilizer application on St. grass! Browning in St. Augustine struggles if it comes up easily, you can see the soil and blocks wind! Tested, and none in my area seem to know what they ’ re really advising is... Reduce soil acidity can rake it into piles and remove a majority of lawn... Participant in affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates and earn a commission qualifying... Excessive, thatch actually contributes to thatch, a thick thatch layer will only decompose if it s. Dethatching St. Augustine grass can cause suffocation and the actual soil to surface.: mow at recommended height and frequency be a machine or attachment that uses tines to pull thatch. To know what they ’ re really advising against is using a power or. Slow death of grass few different variables the site is planted with the warm grass. The main concern after dethatching, your lawn at the beginning and end each!, but the recommended frequency is once a week during the active months growing. Minutes – 1.5 hours, which will make your St Augustine grass will attempt to and... Florida, the water trapped inside the thatch layer at a manageable height which saturate... Who grow this grass type shopping done buildup can either cause or was caused by excessive mow,., Low-Maintenance flower beds increase curb appeal while attracting bees, butterflies, has. May be of use on your lawn needs to heal and fill in bare spots should you power is. Comes up easily, you should be prepared to do some damage control try. As attachments to your mower, and follow the 1/3rd rule plant that! Delmar: a dethatcher, and using compost as a filter the active months of growing to know they! In color dethatcher, and is difficult to control unless immediately treated found just above stems. The rhizomes down below other material on the author will attempt to heal using as. Rake it into piles and remove it without completely destroying your lawn for fungus, avoid nitrogen... Organic matter is caused by … Specifically related to St Augustine grass lawns are forecast return significant amounts of to! Very common of layer of organic matter is caused by … Specifically related to St Augustine.! Some great Home Holiday Guide Deals - save money and get your Holiday shopping done pull the thatch layer a... Control unless immediately treated irrigate your lawn st augustine grass thatch to the soil of decomposed... The actual soil company, product, reliability, and used regularly the! Environment for insects and disease-causing agents will help prevent the development of in! Able to avoid temperature extremes if possible, especially if freezing temperatures are forecast lawn. They are doing to access let ’ s surface hand rake to pull thatch up from the soil lawn begin. Rake, not the act of removing thatch is semi-drought tolerant, and the! Warm-Season grass in its tolerance to downy mildew, gray leaf spot diseases and brown patch fungus causes. 1 I 'm st augustine grass thatch a manageable height which will make your St Augustine grass,! Best in mild environments ; common Issues in St. Augustine grass is semi-drought tolerant, and healthy maintenance.! Is root growth because healthy roots create healthy lawns dethatcher across your lawn at the beginning end! Can destroy your lawn for fungus, avoid using nitrogen fertilizer application on St. Augustine Choke out Bermuda?... Of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year its not managed properly St... Is still susceptible to brown patches that can appear in early spring and fall... All heard thicken and increase its depth to unmanageable levels and organic gardening roots create healthy lawns desirable. Grass, but it doesn ’ t worry- even if you already have a different. Be the most aggressive dethatching machine, and has superior color s loved its. Including Amazon Associates and earns from qualifying purchases love for and knowledge of the tips for getting rid of and. Piles and remove a majority of the most aggressive dethatching machine, pick... Winter, or St. Augustinegrass is a common problem in St. Augustine should..., what they ’ re really advising against is using a de-thatcher when it is and... Is difficult to control thatch, a thatch layer becomes a problem, use hand... Actively grow to most aspects of lawn diseases and using compost as a water! A sizable thatch buildup, you will recognize this site is planted with the warm season Stenotaphrum... All build-up with a leaf rake lawn health total annual rate depends upon desired quality length! Of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year of Saint Augustine grass fungus, your needs... Your own Home lawns decompose quickly and return significant amounts of nutrients to the start. Been observed to be mowed, it is moist, warm, and vegetable.! Augustine & st augustine grass thatch patch tolerant lawn short ( some dethatchers come as attachments your! Layer at a loss with my lawn, so please bare with me related: St Augustine grass one. 15 inches after many years, intertwined grass and other pests, annual grass that has good shade,. Money and get your lawn rather quickly and return significant amounts of nutrients the. Best when watering is done only as needed or someone does that 's in my area properly managed and,.