
Brown floratam is famous for its flat wide blades, dark green colour and verdant density. Also referred to as St. Augustinegrass, brownish floratam grows nicely in sub-tropical climates, such as those common in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Brown floratam requires a moderate level of care and maintenance, since it requires diligent watering, mowing to a certain height and normal fertilization. Primary prevention methods, such as tracking for disease, pests and uneven growth, is the initial step in caring for brownish floratam.
Mow brown floratam bud to no less than 2 1/2 inches and no longer than 4 inches when it turns green. Leave the clippings on the lawn unless they clump. Mow your lawn every five to seven days unless you’re experiencing a drought.
Enrich the grass with one-half pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, three weeks after the grass grows its green shade. But you have to first know the nitrogen content of the fertilizer to ascertain just how much is needed. The sulfur percentage is always the first number on the package label. For example, if your fertilizer label reads 20-4-8, it’s 20 percent hydrogen content. Divide .5, that represents one-half pound, by .20, which represents 20 percent. The consequent .25 indicates you require one-quarter pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of grass.
Water your lawn to a depth of 4 to 6 inches early in the morning. Insert a 6-inch screwdriver or lean stake at the lawn to determine the thickness of moistness. It takes 623 gallons of water to reach a thickness of 1 inch each 1,000 square feet. Therefore, it takes 2,492 gallons to reach 4 inches and 3,738 gallons to reach six inches each 1,000 square feet. Water if your area experiences prolonged periods of windy dry weather or whether you visit dark-blue-tinted, wilted or curved leaves.
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide, such as one featuring dithiopyr as its active ingredient, if your lawn has a history of crabgrass or goosegrass. Implement post-emergent herbicides to control broadleaf weeds, if they look. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service recommends broadleaf herbicides containing the active ingredient metsulfuron as a suitable choice.
Reduce watering and fertilization to a minimum if you notice circular areas of brownish grass several feet wide. Should you notice unnaturally yellow grass at a mosaic pattern or using a yellow mottle, have a sample to your lawn or garden specialist for diagnosis.
Remove the top and bottom of a coffee can with a can opener, put it on the grass and fill with water if you detect yellow spotting or drought symptoms on your lawn; both are indications of a chinch-bug infestation. In case you’ve got chinch bugs, then they will float on top of their water. Employ the services of a professional if you visit 15 or more chinch bugs floating.