Q: Is St. Augustine grass hard to maintain?

• <div><p>St. Augustine is a hardy grass that&rsquo;s relatively easy to grow, but it requires <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/lawn-maintenance-checklist.htm">regular lawn maintenance</a> to stay healthy. It&rsquo;s best to keep up with a regular fertilization schedule during the growing season, plus a yearly dethatching to help it properly absorb air and moisture. Watering is also important, so be sure to water it enough to keep the soil moist.</p></div>

Question 1

Is St. Augustine grass hard to maintain?

Accepted Answer

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St. Augustine is a hardy grass that’s relatively easy to grow, but it requires regular lawn maintenance to stay healthy. It’s best to keep up with a regular fertilization schedule during the growing season, plus a yearly dethatching to help it properly absorb air and moisture. Watering is also important, so be sure to water it enough to keep the soil moist.

Question 2

How do I improve lawn absorption?

Accepted Answer

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One of the most effective ways to improve lawn absorption is to learn how to aerate your lawn. This is a process where you poke tiny holes all throughout it to break up tough soil and sediment, creating pathways for sunlight, water, air, and nutrients to seep into the plant’s roots. In turn, it promotes stronger root systems, making your lawn or plants less susceptible to pests and disease. Ideally, you’ll want to aerate your lawn at least once per year during the growing season—think late summer to early fall.

Question 3

How do I maintain my sodded yard?

Accepted Answer

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When your sod is new, you should keep an eye on it to prevent dehydration. As new sod plants its roots into the soil beneath it, it can easily get dehydrated and start to turn brown. Keeping a consistent watering schedule for your new sod will help prevent this issue and will help it thrive as it roots into your yard.

Once your sod is about six weeks old, you can start to establish a regular lawn maintenance routine, complete with mowing, edging, and fertilizing.

Question 4

Is carpetgrass hard to maintain?

Accepted Answer

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Carpetgrass is a low-maintenance grass requiring little fertilization that thrives in subprime growing conditions. However, regular mowing is necessary to avoid the growth of unsightly seed stalks, and you may have to water it frequently to prevent drying out the soil. That includes watering the grass over dry winters to help keep it healthy, and it may start dying out in particularly cold climates where it grows poorly. Carpetgrass can also be vulnerable to some types of turf fungus, so it’s important not to overthatch.

Question 5

How long does aeration last?

Accepted Answer

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It depends on the current health of your lawn. Liquid aeration takes longer to work, but the results are longer lasting. Since you can apply the liquid solution several times during the course of the growing season, the results are cumulative. Core aeration, on the other hand, will offer quicker benefits but they will diminish sooner, right along with the soil plugs left behind.