Why So Many Lawns Fail

St Augustine is, when you know the biology, a simple grass to grow into a nice lawn. Yet many St Augustine lawns fail. Why? It isn’t weeds – weeds don’t kill lawns. Some insects like Chinch Bugs and Grubs can damage a lawn; even kill a lawn if left uncontrolled. Fertility or the lack of nutrients can weaken a lawn but will not kill a lawn. Mowing to low will stress a lawn and cause decline but not death. The reason so many lawns fail in Pinellas County is poor irrigation.

It’s the Law

The Law of Limiting Factors: A St Augustine lawn will reach the highest potential of its’ most limiting factor. Translation: You can give the lawn everything it needs but not enough water and the lawn fails. This law is always in play in every lawn I visit and by far, poor irrigation is the most limiting factor in every lawn and is the cause of nearly every problem in St Augustine lawns. Even Chinch Bugs and Grub damage are linked to hot dry spots in the lawn.

Good Watering – Good Lawn

The number one determining factor for the success or failure of a lawn is the irrigation system! Every penny spent on improving your irrigation system will yield better results in your lawn than anything you can do to your lawn. With the oppressive water restrictions in Pinellas County, the only way to have a great lawn is to have a great irrigation system. Gone are the days when you could simply over water to compensate for a poor irrigation system. Because of the oppressive restriction on watering your lawn, your irrigation system has to be running at peak performance.

Mowing Height: A Close Second

Second only to a good irrigation system for determining the success of a St Augustine lawn is mowing height. A high mow height yields a stronger, drought resistant turf. A high mowing height and a good irrigation system always yields an attractive and sustainable St Augustine lawn. (Tip: Mow as high as your mower will go)

Conclusion

The number one determining factor for the success of a St Augustine lawn in Pinellas County is a good irrigation system. A good irrigation system will yield a good St Augustine lawn. Couple a good irrigation system with a high mowing height and you will have a lawn that is a attractive, tough and easy to manage. Spend a couple of hours a month learning about and repairing and tuning up your irrigation system and the fruit of your work will be a great lawn.

Related Articles: ONCE (1X) PER WEEK IS NOT ENOUGH  SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT RECEIVES AN F FOR SKIP A WEEK OF IRRIGATION  PINELLAS COUNTY WATER RESTRICTIONS AND LAWN SPRAYING