How To Make St. Augustine Grass Thicker

St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for many homeowners who desire a lush, green lawn. It's not hard to understand why. When it's healthy, it has a dense growth and the ability to thrive in hot climates. The flat, thick blades add a certain beauty and vibrancy to any yard. However, you may be wondering how to make St Augustine grass thicker. Here are the top five tips to ensure your grass is growing to its full potential.

How To Make St. Augustine Grass Thicker

1. Preparation

It is best to purchase St. Augustine grass in sod rolls and then have it installed around your home. Before it is installed, it's important that the proper steps are taken to prepare the soil. A soil test is crucial in understanding the most appropriate fertilizer to buy based on its acidic content or pH level. Additionally, proper grading is important so as to avoid pooling. Add topsoil to bare spots if needed to minimize water collection.

2. Irrigation

This is especially important after installing sod for the first time. Initially, you'll follow a strict schedule of lawn watering several times per day during the first week. The following week, soak your lawn in up to half of an inch of water daily. Finally, scale it back to several times per week for another month so that at the six week mark, you can simply water as needed. Water only when blades don't spring back healthily when touched or when the grass starts to change color.

3. Mowing

These tips are quite simple: leave no less than two thirds of its length intact, mow with sharp blades, and don't bag the trimmings. Once the grass is firmly rooted and you begin a mowing routine, be sure the mower's cutting height is set between 2.5 – 3.5 inches.

4. Fertilizing

When researching how to make St Augustine grass thicker, pay close attention to proper fertilization. Nutrients vary by the bag, so use the label's nutrient analysis to guide you. Just remember the nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium ratio is listed in percentages, not pounds, so you must calculate the total amount needed. The rules of thumb advises one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn space. Fertilize during periods of active growth as opposed to dormancy, usually in the spring and fall.

5. Weeding

While taking care of weeds may seem like an obvious action in the pursuit of healthy grass growth, there is still a right and wrong way to do it. When possible, hand-pull sporadic weeds to ensure they are uprooted. If treated chemically, be careful not to purchase a non-selective herbicide which, by design, kills all plant matter entirely. Essentially, a healthy, well-kept lawn of St. Augustine is the best defense against weeds and will eliminate the hassle altogether.

St. Augustine is certainly not a low maintenance species, however, the final result of your hard work is a beautiful lawn, rich in color and development. Exercise patience and don't stress over how to make St Augustine grass thicker; just be diligent in following its care instructions and your yard will take care of itself. Over time, you will get to know your lawn and find a "sweet spot" in maintenance through trial and error.

We've created this short video for those that prefer to watch a quick visual tutorial.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don't find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

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