I have a couple problems and a couple of questions about my St. Augustine. I live in Austin in a new development so my lawn is about a year old. It has been pretty hot lately but we have been getting more rain than usual for the summer. Earlier in the summer, I was watering every 2 days for about 20mins and fertilizing with compost. However, my grass was thin in spots, a little on the yellow side, and seeding when it was only about 2 inches tall.
After reading the lawn care faq on this forum, I fertilized with corn gluten meal and reduced the watering to every 3 days (I was afraid to go much lower with it being so hot and dry). My lawn has fewer thin spots now and doesn't seed anymore. But, it is still farily yellow and is dry and getting drier--almost crunchy in some spots.
So, I came back to read more advice. After reading other posts and responses, I have a few more questions.
1. I think I must need Texas greensand to help with the yellowing. Is it too late in the season to worry about it? Would it be better to just wait till next year? When is the best time of year to apply greensand to get the most benefit?
2. For the dryness: Do I need to water more often? Same frequency just longer each time? Less often but longer each time? Should I apply lava sand to help hold the water?
3. About fire ants: Will beneficial nematodes last or do I need to apply each year? What is the best time of year? Is it too hot in this scorching heat for them to get started---wait till spring?
4. Also, I would like to get to watering every 5 to 7 days. Do I need to adjust the lawn gradually? (Go from my current 3 days and stretch it out graduallly). I think I will wait (unless you advise otherwise) and do this when the temperature isn't quite so hot. I'm afraid the yard would die completely if I went to 5-7 days right now.
5. Finally, for future reference, should I be watering through the winter when the grass is dormant? If so, how often/much?
Thanks in advance for the help. It is frustrating seeing neighbors using chemicals but getting better results. It is hard to stick with the organic when I'm getting these results. Don't get me wrong, I do plan to continue to be organic, it is just frustrating.
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