I need help with St Augustine lawn in Dallas!

13 years ago

Please bear with me as I have a few questions and figured it best to put them all in the same thread and number them to keep track of responses. I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to lawn maintenance.

We bought our first house a year ago and I just managed last summer, but want to do it right this summer going forward. I have done some research and have already changed my watering to deep and infrequent and moved the mower to the highest setting. It was on the second highest setting until this week when I finally raised it all the way. I have a couple of issues I was hoping to get sent in the right direction on.

All pictures were taken after mowing. This was my third time to mow on the new system, (1 at highest setting, previous 2 on 2nd highest). Been watering correctly for the same time (3 weeks)

1. General inquiries

a. At times there seems to be a yellowing to the blades. I have read this could be iron deficiency. What is the best way to cure this?

b. What fertilizer should I be using and how often? I have just kicked my weed control company to the curb to save the money and do it correctly.

2. Weed issues

a. In the picture 1 below I show the yard from the street and the tree in question. I believe the plants in picture 2 are just seeds from this tree. Is this correct. They grow really heavy along the sidewalk for some reason and randomly about the yard under the tree (pic 3). Is pulling by hand the only way to get rid of these. The root seems to go far enough in that pulling just seems to break it off at the ground.

b. The next picture (and following closeup) is under another tree on the other side of the yard. What is this stuff? It doesnÃ¢ÂÂt seem to be spreading to the yard (yet) but popped up this spring.

3. Brown spots

a. There are brown spots that donÃ¢ÂÂt seem to be going away/filling in. What is the best way to deal with these? (They are more visible in the picture than standing there, probably something to do with the camera settings.)

{{gwi:101736}}
4. Bare spots

a. There are two major bare spots in the yard. One is near the tree and I think stays pretty shaded. How do I increase growth in these areas? Is It the shade or just previous owner ignoring the area?

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Comments (2)

texas_weed
13 years ago
A. Couple of ways to deal with it. Since you are in Dallas we can rule out acidic soil aka Chlorosis. IMO the best method is to go to your nearest Lesco store and use a fertilizer with iron in it. Or you can use a product called Ironite available in any box store.

B. For SA you need about 4 application in a growing season. In lieu of a soil test the first application is done after you have mowed real grass, not weeds, for the first time with a 3-1-2 ratio product like Lesco # 081964 which is a 15-5-10 with 2% iron. Then about every 45 days up to October just use a straight slow release Urea like 39-0-0 or Lesco 000777. Note her it might be a good idea to get a soil test done to make sure your soil is not lacking potassium or Phosphorous as TX soils can be lite on them.

2. Not sure which weed or pix you are talking about. Some are trees which all you have to do is mow them once and they are toast, some is ivy and sedge which is difficult to control especially with with SA grass because most selective herbicides see SA as a broad leaf weed.
fairview
13 years ago
Answers

1a.Excessive irrigation can cause a N deficiency which can cause yellowing. The obvious solution is fertilizing. It may be Fe but my money is on a Mg deficiency. To find out, grab some Epsom salts at the grocery store, mix up in a hose end sprayer and apply to a section of the turf. You may be amazed at the change. Nearly overnight it seems.

1b. I always liked Lesco 32-0-10. Unless you run a soil test and get a known P deficiency, you souldn't be adding more. It also contains 5% Fe I think.

2a. First pic is Live Oak seedlings. The acorns fall on the sidewalk, get pushed to edge, drop in the soil and germinate.

2b a weed tree seedling.

2c Grassy weed of some sort but the picture is really bad.

2d Broad leaf weed.

A good pre-emergent like Simazine will go a long way to reduce you weed problem. You can use 2,4-D on SA as long as it has no other additives. I understand your frustration with the weed control company but I suggest you find a reputable one that knows how to take care of SA. Without certain pieces of equipment like a sprayer, it is nearly impossible to do a uniform chemical application.

3. Residual Brown Patch from last year. Use PCNB or any fungicide containing Propiconazole in late summer or early fall this year.

4 Bare spots are the result of inadequate sunlight and root competition from the tree for moisture. Mostly lack of light. If you can't grow weeds, grass surely will not grow. Expand/ new landscapecreate
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I need help with St Augustine lawn in Dallas!

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texas_weed

fairview

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