Need some knowledge on st. augustine grass

[sevenhead]

Been trying to do some research but wanted some first hand knowledge on Palmetto St. Augustine. Just moved and new house has plenty of shade, palmetto seems to be the strand I need. Any advice?

[the tree]

I have St Augustine in my yard. The areas with lots of sunshine the grass grows very well with lots of water. However, in the shade, its patchy.

[landscaper]

I've been trying to grow some myself but don't have any prior experience with it. What can you spray it with to treat broad leaf weeds?

[teul2]

[sevenhead]

Landscaper are you growing Palmetto strain or the typical Raleigh SA? From everything i've read Palmetto and Amerishade strains seem to be grown specifically for shady areas.

[landscaper]

I have no clue. I have just been buying a little at a time of whatever the co-op has available each spring. It's doing well in full sun though so it must be a different one.

[eSJay]

You are correct in saying some strands are more shade tolerant than others, but I don't believe any strand will grow without a certain amount of sunshine. If you figure it out, please let me know!

And I might be wrong here, but I thought MSMA was a no no for St Aug & Centipede.....

[sevenhead]

I may try and source and few squares and see what happens in different areas of the yard. I'll try and keep folks updated.

[teul2]

[the tree]

with regards to weeds, when St Augustine is healthy, it chokes out most weeds. Very important, when you cut the grass, never cut it short. If you do, the sunshine hurts the roots. As for watering, ive been told a few heavy soaks are better then daily watering. Apparently the root system is better if the grass goes deep for water.

[mlj300]

[sevenhead]

[landscaper]

I can tell you it won't tolerate dog urine. Brown spots everywhere!

[cockandlock25]

No grass likes shade, but St. Augustine will tolerate it better than the others. You can use several herbicides for broadleaf weeds in St. Aug. Any 2 or 3-way herbicide with 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP will get most of the broadleaves but weaker on some of the perennial creeping ones like ground ivy, dollarweed, and others. You can also spray Image (imazaquin) for broadleaf weeds and nutsedge. I'd stay away from MSMA in St. Augustine because it hurts St. Augustine and not to mention it's illegal to spray it in ANY residential lawn. Keep the height about 2.5" or more. It'll be healthier and will do better in the more shady areas with more leaf area.

[MrGoodtime]