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December 6, 2022
St. Augustine grass care for the dry season
Short answer: To care for St. Augustine grass in South Florida’s dry season, mow high (3.5 to 4 inches for standard cultivars, about 2.5 inches for dwarf cultivars), never remove more than a third of the blade at once, water deeply and only when the lawn shows signs of wilt, water early in the morning, and watch for chinch bugs in sunny, dry areas. Keep mower blades sharp and leave clippings on the lawn.
St. Augustine is the most widely planted lawn grass in South Florida, and for good reason. When it’s cared for, it has a lush green to blue-green look and handles shade, salt and heat well. But it can struggle when it’s overwatered, mowed too short or stressed during the dry season. Here’s how to keep it healthy from Jupiter to Boca Raton.
Mowing
- Mow high. Standard St. Augustine cultivars should be mowed at about 3.5 to 4 inches, and dwarf cultivars at about 2.5 inches. Taller grass shades the soil and holds up better in dry weather.
- Follow the one-third rule. Never cut more than a third of the blade at once. If you miss a mowing, bring the height down gradually.
- Keep blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass, which makes it more prone to disease, sun damage and insects. Homeowners usually need to sharpen about twice a year.
- Don’t mow wet grass. It spreads fungus and clogs the mower.
- Leave the clippings. Clippings return nutrients to the lawn and can reduce fertilizer needs. Use the mulching setting and blow out any clumps.
- Clean your equipment between properties or after working in diseased areas, so weeds, disease and insects don’t spread.
Watering in the dry season
The dry season is when watering habits matter most.
- Water deeply, not daily. Apply about ½ to ¾ inch of water each time. Less frequent, deeper watering builds deeper roots. Shallow, frequent watering leads to shallow roots that struggle in drought.
- Water when the lawn shows wilt: folded leaf blades, a blue-gray color, or footprints that stay in the grass.
- Water early in the morning, around sunrise, so the blades dry during the day. Evening watering keeps blades wet overnight and can encourage disease.
- Check your system. Make sure heads aren’t blocked or spraying the driveway. Follow local watering restrictions.
Fertilizing
- Hold off on new sod for about the first month. Early nitrogen pushes top growth at the expense of roots.
- Choose a fertilizer with potassium, which helps with drought tolerance.
- Water it in after applying, which helps prevent burn and improves uptake.
- Follow local fertilizer rules, including any summer restrictions in your area.
Watch for chinch bugs
In the hot, dry season, chinch bugs are one of the most common causes of yellow to brown patches in St. Augustine. Damage often starts in the sunniest areas, near driveways, sidewalks and the edges of the lawn. Drought stress and chinch bug damage can look similar, so it’s worth checking. Our post on chinch bugs vs. sod webworms explains how to tell, and our lawn and ornamental pests page has more.
Choosing the right St. Augustine for new sod
Cultivar choice matters. In our area, some St. Augustine lawns have been affected by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus, which has been a particular concern for the Floratam cultivar. If you’re planning new sod, ask about cultivars that are better suited to current local conditions. We’re happy to talk through options during an inspection.
When to get help
Lawn health depends on many things: irrigation, soil, nutrients, mowing, insects and disease. If you have patches that keep spreading, or you’re not sure what’s causing the damage, an inspection is the best next step. Our lawn and ornamental program includes fertilization, insect control, fungus control, weed control and palm treatments.
Much of this guidance is based on University of Florida IFAS recommendations for Florida lawns.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should I mow St. Augustine grass?
About 3.5 to 4 inches for standard cultivars and about 2.5 inches for dwarf cultivars, and never more than a third of the blade at once.
How often should I water during the dry season?
Water deeply when the lawn shows signs of wilt, rather than on a set daily schedule, and follow local watering restrictions.
Why is my lawn turning yellow near the driveway?
Heat and drought stress near pavement are common, and chinch bugs often start in those sunny, hot areas. An inspection can tell you which it is.
Should I bag my grass clippings?
No. Leaving clippings returns nutrients to the lawn. Just blow out any thick clumps.
Do you offer complimentary lawn inspections?
Yes. Call (561) 725-5274 or book on our contact page.
Request a complimentary inspection
Book a complimentary inspection and we’ll share what we find, explain your options and recommend a plan for your home.
Request a complimentary inspection: qandlpest.com/estimate · (561) 725-5274
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Inspect first. Treat smart.
About the author
Michael Ringler, Q and L Pest Management. Q and L Pest Management is a family-owned pest control company based in Lantana and serving Palm Beach County.Q and L Pest Management LLC holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443. Services are performed under FDACS Certified Pest Control Operator John Park, certificate #JF320165.
Sources
- UF/IFAS Extension. St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns (ENH5/LH010). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH010