Hmm. Switzerland where atrazine came from banned it for 15 years. I may be wrong with numbers but Germany and Italy have banned it since 1991 so almost 20 years. I guess that tells you something... Supposedly toads are very sensitive to them so that explains why I never saw them anymore in large numbers. As a little kid, I'd see hundreds of toads mating with each other in the outdoor pond. All of suddenly, I see very few of them since then. I wonder if Atrazine/pesticide had to do with that.

Hi Cecil:Yes you got them right. It is true,That Sal's Gene grow and produces very well with fig mosaic,but.!!! I also think that fig Mosaic is affecting it when is about resisting adverse condition,and yes will die faster in adverse conditions,compared to a healthy fig. One thing I would note from my observation,wich many people think it can't be. Mosaic virus,does not spread to healthy trees,in vicinity,of them,in most climates like mine and outside the native fig growing areas. Healthy tree stay healthy .I think this is because the agent of spreading it,the fig mites,can't live and prosper in cold climates. I think Fig mites are specialized for fig trees only,and if the climate is not ideal for figs,they can't complette their life cycle,and so ,can't,be. That makes a lot easyer for us,to grow exotic varieties(Try),without fear of contaminated the healthy trees. Best Regards H2

Thanks, all, for weighing in. Yup, NHBabs, this does appear sedge-like (or nutsedge-like, which is the only sedge I'm all too familiar with). I'm fairly certain it's not nutsedge as the root structure is different. So, gyr_falcon, will happily forego those lucky stars today! :) Probably not kyllinga -- one article describes these having waxy leaves, and mine are definitely nutsedgy glossy. jekeesl -- I'm always very careful to use a roots-and-all approach when weeding (Mom and Dad taught us well -- we kids spent many, many a weekend pulling weeds in the yard!), as opposed to plucking the tops (which I have indeed read may stimulate growth). Because they're interspersed in the lawn, I can't use an herbicide. And leaving them untouched wasn't an option as it was apparent the St. Aug was struggling to gain territory. I will run this past the County Extension -- thanks again!

We have been properly watering and mowing at the appropriate height. Watering: Deep and infrequent is the mantra for watering. This is for all turf grass all over the place. Deep means 1 inch all at one time. Put some cat food or tuna cans around the yard, and time how long it takes your sprinkler(s) to fill all the cans. Memorize that time. That will be the time you water from now on. My hose, sprinkler and water pressure takes 8 full hours to fill the cans. Your time will likely be less. I like gentle watering. As for watering frequency, that depends on the daytime air temperature. With temps in the 90s, deep water once per week. With temps in the 80s, deep water once every 2 weeks. With temps in the 70s, deep water once every 3 weeks. With temps below 70, deep water once a month. Note that you have to keep up with quickly changing temps in the spring and fall. This deep and infrequent schedule works in Phoenix and in Vermont, so it should work for you. The reason for deep and infrequent is to grow deeper, more drought resistant roots and to allow the soil to dry completely at the surface for several days before watering again. If it rains, reset your calendar to account for the rainfall. So I agree if you have been watering every day, then fungus would be number 1 on the list of issues to be concerned about. This time of year in New Orleans you should be watering no more than once a week and possibly less due to the humidity. I think what you're seeing is the after effects of that week long torrential rain about 3 weeks ago. My normal reply would have been to suggest using corn meal to resolve the problem but others have had much better success on this type of disease (rain induced) using chemical approach. I don't have one to recommend. Read the labels to make sure of two things. One is that it is safe for St Augustine and the other is that it can be used at the temperatures in NO.