Thread: St. Augustine
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Old 14-09-2005, 09:34 AM
Lil' Dave
 
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Understand the need for detail. Comparison of various sections of sod that
receive alot of sun, supposedly all the same species. Some very green, some
not. All has been irrigated identically. Asked for an opinion based on
that observation as to whether there may be more than one species of grass
in the delivery.

Answers to your questions below in your reply.

"World Traveler" wrote in message
link.net...
You'll get better advice if you provide a little more info -- although the
yellowing can be due to overwatering, since your back yard is OK, that's
probably not it. The best way to get an answer is to take a sample to

your
local extension service and Master Gardener program --

1. -- Where are you?


Hays county, west of Wimberley. IE hill country

2. -- Which variety did you plant -- Bitter Blue? Floratam?


I'll have to hunt down the paperwork.

3. -- Most St. Augustine grass does not do well in shade, so that in your
shady back yard may not do well in the long term.


Depends on the variety/species. The species my parents had thrived in the
shade. Turned brown, dormant in days of extended heat in the summer. I
remember that well.

4. -- If you're sticking to a good watering schedule -- deep enough and
frequent enough, the sod in your sunny areas should be doing well, even in
the summer.


Once a week, deep irrigation/watering. Bearing in mind any major
precipitation to modify that schedule. Light watering to combat
wilting/yellowing due to heat if sunlight is excessive/no cloud cover for
that period. No fertilizers, root growth stimulators or other additives
have been applied to this grass.

5. -- If there are areas that got skipped at topsoil time, or if your yard
has other issues (e.g., buried construction debris -- not uncommon in new
developments -- or a septic tank close to the surface, the sod in that

area
may not do well.


Spread topsoil about 3" deep, to 10' from house, runs the perimeter of the
house. Debris, rocks etc. were cleared away from house well before the
topsoil arrived. Septic tank is downhill from house, in front. About 70'
away in the middle of the gravel drive. Leech field is further downhill and
further away from house.

Your St. Augustine grass should be well established by now, and healthy.
the light afternoon watering is not doing it any good and could lead to
fungal problems. Just make sure it's deep watered without overdoing it.
Sod that I laid about 8 weeks ago has already established itself, and

yours
should have, also.

Good luck and regards --

"Lil' Dave" wrote in message
link.net...
Moved into a home in a rural area. No lawn.

Went to a local equipment rental facility that also sold sod grass by

the
pallet. Looked at his list of species and the traits of some 5

different
species of St. Augustine. Picked out the type indicating high tolerance
to
heat and drought. They brought out a couple of truckloads of topsoil to
put
around the house first. Then I laid the sod. This was in April.

Have kept the grass irrigated, and did some light watering in the late
evening to supplement when appeared the heat was drying the grass out.

The back of the house is what I expected due to the prevailing shaded

area
near the house. Lush and green. Some other areas are having difficulty
maintaining their green-ness. Guess due to the heat, and when the rain

is
less prevalent.

Have noticed in the sunny areas, there are some single sods if you will,
that are deep green and seem unaffected by the heat. These are few, the
remaining seem to dry up and start turning yellow.

Did the sod contractor (not the reseller) mix up the grass species in

the
order?