Grasses
There are 4 grasses recommended for growing in Austin: Bermuda, Buffalo, St. Augustine, Zoysai. Choose the grass for the space by considering the light, soil and water conditions present.
Grows 1.5-2" in full sun. It is highly drought tolerant. It can be propagated from seed or sod.
Grows 2-3" tall and needs at least 6 hours of sun. It is highly drought tolerant and can be propagated from seeds, sod or plugs.
More shade tolerant than other grasses and grows from 2.5 to 3 inches tall. It is less drought tolerant than other grass types. St. Augustine is best installed as sod.
Good in full sun to part shade. It grows to 1.5-2" tall. It is drought tolerant and cal be installed as sod or plugs.
Care for an established lawn
To help prevent fungal diseases water in the early morning. You don’t have to water as frequently if you water more deeply. Deep watering encourages deep root growth. The water should seep 4" - 6" into the soil. After fertilizing, water the area to soak in, avoid over watering and washing fertilizer off of your lawn.
Aerating and De-thatching
Aerating your lawn at least once a year will improve drainage and allows more oxygen to the soil. After aerating apply compost to add nutrients. De-thatch your lawn by raking up matted grass in excess of ½"
Fertilizer
Applying 1/4 compost to the top of the lawn instead of fertilizer will improve both soil texture and soil nutrient levels. Choose natural fertilizers that are low in phosphorus. Most lawns in Austin have more than enough phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) but are low in Nitrogen (N)
8-2-4 use 6lbs/1000ft square
6-2-4 use 8lbs/1000ft square
9-1-1 use 5.5lbs/1000ft square
6-1-1 use 8lbs/1000ft square
Insect Pests
Chinch Bugs
Adults are 1/6: to 1/5" long with black bodies and whitish wings
Infestation - cause expanding patches of dead grass. Damage typically begins in a sunny location adjacent to a concrete walkway or curb. Damage can increase in sunny locations during hot, dry weather. Attracts primarily St. Augustine grass but may feed on Zoysia or Bermuda grass.
Care- Prevent the lawn from being stressed. Thoroughly water the grass in the morning. Encourage beneficial organisms by avoidign the wide use of lawn chemicals.
Grubs
Green and white grubs can be found in Austin soil. C-shaped with 3 pairs of legs; grow to 1/2-1" long. Grubs are the larval form of June bugs.
Infestation- grubs feed on roots and other underground plant parts. Damaged plants turn brown. Damaged lawns can be lifted by hand like a carpet. Most lawn damage occurs durning summer and fall months.
Attacks- St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia and Buffalo grass
Care- Mowing high and watering effectively promotes healthy roots. Treat with beneficial nematodes to affected areas in mid-June to late July.
Fungal Diseases
Take all Patch
Symptoms include the yellowing of grass and darkening of grass roots. Eventually irregular shaped patches of thin turf appear. The roots can become so rotted that the grass can be easily pulled up.
Infestation - Take all patch spreads mainly from fall through spring when there is abundant moisture and cool, mild temperatures. Die back symptoms appear in the hot , stressful days of summer. Attcks St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda grass.
Care- Avoid heavy fertilization of turf areas, as excessive Nitrogen seems to promote take all patch. Maintain good drainage.
Brown Patch
Symptoms are characterized by circular patterns of dead grass blades. New leaves my emerge in the center of the circular pattern giving diseased areas a donut-shaped appearance.
Infestation - occurs mainly during the cool season (late fall through early spring) when temperatures range between 55-85 degrees. Infestation is promoted by we weather or frequent irrigation. Turf turns brown and grass blades rot off of the runners; can spread in an area from 1-50 ft. Primarily attacks st. Augustine grass.
Care- Water the grass early in the morning to allow the grass blades to dry out during the day. Avoid over fertilization. Aerate the lawn as needed. Fungicides are most effected when used at the 1st sign of disease.
Stress
The grass appears blue-green or silverish. The individual leaf blades in the lawn curl. The soil under the lawn is dry. Footprints remain in the lawn when you step on it.
Care: Irrigate efficiently by watering deeply and infrequently: water to a depth of 4-6inches every time you water and allow soil to dry out between waterings.
Iron Chlorosis
Chlorotic leaf blades of the grass are striped green and yellow or completely yellow. Iron chlorosis occurs in alkaline (hihg pH) soil with high phosphorous levels and also under cool wet soil conditions.
Care: Aerate the lawn once a year and top dress turn with 1/4-1/3" compost. Do not use fertilizers that are high in phosphorus.
Shade Stress
Turf grass thins and disappear as bare patches or weeds predominate. Affects grasses that do not grown well in shaded areas..
Care: Trim branches to allow light into shady areas. Set mower higher. Minimize activity on turf. Choose shade tolerant groundcovers or shade tolerant turf grasses like Zoysia or St. Augustine.
