St Augustine help. Plus pest control questions.

17 years ago

The St. Augustine in my front yard is doing wonderful so far this summer. It's growing like crazy, and looks great.

85% of the St Augustine in the backyard is doing the same as the front yard, growing like crazy, and looks awesome, however, there's two long, good size areas where the grass isn't looking so hot. The main one has grass that's turning yellow. Some is staying green, and getting what looks like yellow streaks or looks like someone pinched areas of the blade or something. The other area has some grass that's looking like this, but also has areas where grass just wont grow.

I did notice the bigger spot of the yellowing grass stays somewhat soggy after all this rain we've had lately, while the rest of the yard doesn't. Should I try and aerate this area?

Any ideas/thoughts on this? I'd like to get it looking like the rest of the yard!

Also, what does anyone know about dog-friendly fertilizers and pesticides? I picked up some milogranite before I got a puppy, and haven't put it down yet. I have a 3.5month old pup that loves to eat grass (doesn't make him sick), and I'd hate to hurt him by putting something on the lawn. We do have these little bugs that like to jump through the grass when you walk through it. I dunno what they are, they aren't fleas. They're like a really light color, and I'd like to put down some kind of pesticide without hurting the pup.

Same thing with fertilizer. Would it be safe to put down the milogranite, or should I look at something else?

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Comments (9)

billhill
17 years ago
There is no need to kill the little bugs in your lawn. They and the soil microbes are necessary for a healthy lawn so do nothing to kill them. Aeration is almost always good for a lawn so go ahead and do that. Dog friendly fertilizer suggests organic fertilizers. Ask this question in the organic lawncare forum. There are many options although I would not eat milorganite nor would I allow my dogs to eat it.
Bill Hill

Here is a link that might be useful: Organic lawncare FAQ
x3ro
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks.

Anyone have info on what's wrong with my grass? I'll post some pics tonight.
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x3ro
Original Author
17 years ago
Actually, I've uploaded some pics:

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0178.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0179.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0180.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0181.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0184.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0185.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0196.jpg

http://mrpburke.com/fileupload/uploads/img_0193.jpg

Sorry about some of the pics being turned funny, I was using my iPhone.
x3ro
Original Author
17 years ago
any help!?
organicnoob
17 years ago
Isn't it generally a bad idea to aerate the lawn in the summer because it dries out the roots?
skoot_cat
17 years ago
I cant see the pics from work, but from your description I can think of a few things that could be going on.

1. It could be lack of nutrients. When was the last time you fertilized? What and how much did you use? S.A should be feed 4-5x per year during the growing season.

2. The soggy spots. Over watering or standing water could defiantly cause the yellowing, streaking and brown pointed tips of grass. I would take a Pitch fork to these areas and stab it in the ground about 5" deep. Then wiggle it around a bit to create a larger hole/loosen the soil. Repeat these steps about every 3-5" until the affect area and slightly beyond are spiked.

Also, what does anyone know about dog-friendly fertilizers and pesticides?

There are tons of safe fertilizers out there. I have organically maintained my St. Augustine for 4 years now.(click my user name for more info. Also Read the Organic FAQ for more info.
x3ro
Original Author
17 years ago
skoot, thank you.

I haven't fertilized this season yet. Grass is still healthy. It's just these few spots. Seems like they're growing too, which is worrying me. Funny thing is, that if it's a lack of nutrients, then it's not affecting most of the rest of the yard. The front yard looks great, and is all green. It's just those spots in the back yard. Maybe you could take a look at the pics when you get home?

What's easiest to put down for organic fertilizer? I don't know of a feed store around me that carries the typical organics you guys talk about.

I did buy some milorgranite to put down, and was going to put it down this weekend.

As for overwatering, I would think the rest of the yard would suffer? In fact, I did notice that some of my sprinkler heads aren't raised above the raise when they sprinkle, so some spots aren't getting the water they need. Could that be one of the causes?

What about fungus? Grubs? Crap, I'm pulling my hair out. The rest of my lawn looks great. And it grows like wildfire.

I'll do the pitchfork thing, thanks. Would it work if I got one of those hand core aerators and did the same thing?
skoot_cat
17 years ago
Fertilize ASAP. Ive already feed my lawn 2x this year and the 3rd time will be around July 4th. So you have some catching up to do. Apply the Milorganite @ 1lb nitrogen per 1000sqft. Which would be 18lbs of Milorganite per 1000sqft.

What's easiest to put down for organic fertilizer? I don't know of a feed store around me that carries the typical organics you guys talk about.
I like Soy Bean Meal best, Alfalfa pellets second. Just ask the feed store for a 50lb bag of Soy Bean Meal Or Alfalfa Pellets. Its not labeled fertilizer, its livestock food.

You said the yellow spots stay soggy, that's why I mentioned overwatering. The rest of the yard may not suffer because of sprinkler overlap. These areas could be getting alot more water than you think. Under watering could also be a cause. The only way to tell is with the tuna can test.

Im not sure about fungus or grubs and I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you suspect Fungus you could apply ordinary Corn Meal to these areas @ 20lbs per 1000sqft.

Remember SA spreads by runners, so even if you have some trouble areas in your lawn they will fill back in with new grass soon enough.

Do the pitchfork thing, its going to loosen the soil if compacted and also help the water flow. Then put some fertilizer down then water in.
x3ro
Original Author
17 years ago
skoot,

thanks for the advice. how do I know what setting to use on my drop spreader to get 18lbs/1000sq ft?

I guess the yellow spots were soggy cuz all the rain. I did notice they're no longer soggy, even after the couple rains we've had, so I'm thinking the soil may just be way compacted or maybe not receiving enough water from the sprinklers.

I thought corn gluten meal was the big organic everyone used for fertilizer?