How’s that turfgrass looking by now? Green and gorgeous? Or weed-packed and pathetic?
Let me answer some questions that might help guide you to a better lawn quickly.
‘What’s the best fertilizer to get my lawn off to a good start? When should I apply it?’
Let’s count on soil tests run by reliable labs like to one down at Texas A&M in College Station. They consistently tell us that our Blackland Prairie clay soils have accumulated excessive amounts of phosphorus, middle number of the 3-number analysis you’ll find on any product sold as a plant food in Texas. The lab’s recommendation, then, for all crops (not just lawns, but landscapes, flowers, and vegetables) is almost always that we use an all-nitrogen fertilizer. Further, they tell us to use one that contains 30% to 40% of that nitrogen in encapsulated or coated slow-release form. Brand actually becomes secondary.
As for timing, you’re there now. Soils and air temperatures have warmed, and your grass is starting to grow rapidly. Follow the label’s directions as to amounts to apply. Put out half going east and west, then apply the other half going north and south. That will ensure even distribution. Follow the application up with a deep watering.
‘Why is my St. Augustine yellowed in some areas? Is that a disease?’
It may be take all root rot (TARR), a fungal disease that attacks turfgrass roots, notably St. Augustine and zoysia. It’s a comparative newcomer that’s only become common in the past 30 years. Infected grass fails to green up properly in the spring. You’ll see “washes” of yellowed turf intermingled with normal grass. When you examine the weak grass, you’ll notice that its roots are short, blackened, and stubbly. It resembles damage done by white grub worms, except you won’t find a significant number of grubs present when you dig…