Maintaining a healthy lawn is essential for any homeowner. This guide provides valuable information on caring for established grasses, particularly St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia. Established grass refers to grass that has been planted for at least a year. For any questions, feel free to contact us at 281-431-7441.
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Important Notes
- These guidelines are for lawn care; Houston Grass is not responsible for grass once installed.
- Established grass generally means grass that was planted at least a year ago. No herbicides should be applied to grass less than a year old.
- Your grass is considered established after six months if it was planted at the beginning of the growing season.
Watering Established Grass
General Guidelines
- A portable sprinkler typically delivers about two-tenths of an inch of water per hour, meaning it takes approximately 5 hours to apply 1 inch of water.
- Use rain gauges to measure your watering accurately. If you notice water running out into the street before enough water has been applied, it may be due to yard slope. In such cases, consider shorter watering periods to allow for better absorption.
Watering Schedule
- January-March: Water 1 inch every 2-3 weeks, accounting for any rainfall.
- April-September: Water 1 inch weekly (consider two half-inch sessions if runoff occurs). If grass appears stressed (blades closed), increase watering to three half-inch sessions per week.
- October: Once daytime temperatures drop below 80°F, reduce watering to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks to prevent Brown Patch.
- November-December: Maintain the same schedule as October.
Mowing Established Grass
General Guidelines
- Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time to prevent stress to the grass.
- During the growing season, you may need to mow every 4-5 days if the grass is healthy and well-cared-for.
Mowing Schedule
- January-March: The first mowing of the year occurs after the last frost (usually mid-March). Lower the mower blade and cut off dead material. Rake or bag this material to reduce thatch buildup.
- April-May: Adjust mowing height down to between 2.5 – 3.0 inches. Remember to never remove more than one-third of the leaf.
- June-September: Raise the mowing height to 3.5 – 4 inches to help retain moisture in the soil and enhance drought tolerance.
- October: As daytime temperatures fall, adjust the mowing height back down to 3.0 inches. After the first frost, expect grass to turn brown as it transitions into dormancy. There will be little to no growth, except for winter weeds. Mow those instead of applying chemicals.
- November-December: Maintain a mowing height of 3 inches.
Fertilizing Established Grass
General Guidelines
- Always follow the label instructions on fertilizer bags for proper application rates and methods.
Fertilization Schedule
- January-February: No fertilization recommended during these months.
- March: Use Nitro-Phos fertilizers. For St. Augustine lawns where weeds are not a problem, use Nitro-Phos Imperial. If a weed and feed is needed for St. Augustine, use Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Atrazine. For Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine lawns requiring weed and feed, use Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Trimec. Caution: These chemicals can harm ornamental plants and flowers; apply carefully.
- May-June: Apply Nitro-Phos Superturf 19-4-10 as per the label instructions.
- August: Reapply Nitro-Phos Superturf 19-4-10 according to label instructions.
- October-December: Use Nitro-Phos Fall Special Fertilizer 8-12-16 as directed by the label.
Pesticides
General Guidelines
- Preventative pesticide treatments are not recommended; apply only when signs of insect damage are observed.
Pesticide Schedule
- January-May: No pesticide application recommended during these months.
- June-September: Monitor for chinch bugs and sod webworms. Treat immediately upon detecting signs of damage. Chinch bug damage can resemble drought stress, while sod webworm signs include circular patches of dead grass (the size of softballs or soccer balls). We recommend using Cyonara (liquid) or Wisdom (granular) insecticides; always follow label instructions carefully.
- October-December: No pesticide treatment recommended during these months.
Herbicides
General Guidelines
- Never apply herbicides on grass less than one year old.
Herbicide Schedule
- January-March: Instead of treating with chemicals, mow when winter weeds appear. Apply Nitro-Phos Barricade Preemergent herbicide in February.
- April: If a weed and feed is needed for St. Augustine lawns, use Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Atrazine. For Bermuda or Zoysia or St. Augustine lawns, use Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Trimec. Caution: These chemicals can harm ornamental plants and flowers; apply carefully.
- May-September: Apply Nitro-Phos Barricade Preemergent herbicide in May.
- October-November: Continue with Nitro-Phos Barricade Preemergent herbicide.
- December: Mow when winter weeds appear instead of treating with chemicals.
Fungicides for Established Grass
General Guidelines
- Monitor your lawn for signs of fungal issues, especially during temperature transitions when conditions may be conducive to disease.
Fungicide Schedule
- January-February: No fungicide application recommended during these months.
- March-April: Watch for brown patch, which typically appears in March and September during temperature transitions. Apply Heritage G when initial signs are observed and again in 21 days.
- May-August: Look out for gray leaf spot; signs include yellowing blades with brown freckles. Apply Heritage G at first signs and repeat in 21 days.
- September: Begin monitoring for brown patch in low areas; apply Heritage G upon first signs and repeat in 21 days.
- October: Expect brown patch conditions again; apply Heritage G at first signs and again in 21 days.
- November-December: No fungicide application recommended during these months.
By following these comprehensive guidelines, you can help ensure that your established grass remains healthy and vibrant throughout the year. For further assistance or specific inquiries, don’t hesitate to call us at 281-431-7441!
