- 1). Water the St. Augustine grass early in the morning until the soil is moist to a 4- to 6-inch depth. Water the grass mainly during the summer months since spring rainfall typically provides enough natural moisture. If you walk on the grass and your footprints remain, the grass must be watered.
- 2). Mow St. Augustine grass once every two weeks in early spring and late fall, and at least once per week during the summer months. Set the mower blade height to between 1 and 3 inches, with the higher heights used in shady areas.
- 3). Spread a granular, high-nitrogen fertilizer onto the surface of the St. Augustine grass at a rate of 1 lb. for every 1,000 square feet of grass. Apply the fertilizer starting in spring when the grass begins to turn green and reapply it once every one to two months through the late fall.
- 4). Remove the lid from an empty coffee can and cut the bottom off, using a power saw. Insert the can halfway into the soil of any yellow patches of grass. Fill the can with water until it is approximately 1/2 to 1 inch from the top of the can. Watch the water to see if small, black bugs float to the top, which are an indication of a chinch bug infestation.
- 5). Apply an insecticide that contains the ingredient chlorpyrifos to kill the chinch bugs, according to the Florida Turf website. Spray the undiluted insecticide directly onto any yellow or dead patches of the grass to kill the existing bugs. Wait three weeks and apply another application of the insecticide.
SHARE
