Care Guide for Established Grass in the Houston Area

Overview

This tip sheet provides essential guidelines for the care of established grasses, particularly focusing on St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia grasses. Established grass refers to grass that has been planted for at least one year. Herbicides should not be applied to grass less than a year old.

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Watering Established Grass

  • General Note:
    • A typical portable sprinkler emits about 0.2 inches of water per hour, meaning it takes roughly 5 hours to deliver 1 inch of water.
    • Use rain gauges to measure the output from sprinklers or irrigation systems.
  • Watering Schedule:
    • January-March: Water 1 inch every 2-3 weeks, adjusting for rainfall.
    • April-September: Water 1 inch weekly, possibly in two half-inch sessions if runoff is a concern. If grass shows stress (blades appear closed), increase watering to three half-inch sessions weekly.
    • October: Reduce watering to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks as temperatures drop.
    • November-December: Continue with 1 inch every 2-3 weeks, compensating for rainfall.

Mowing Established Grass

  • General Note:
    • Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass leaf height in a single mowing to prevent stress.
  • Mowing Schedule:
    • January-March: After the last frost (mid-March), lower the mower blade to remove dead material and bag or rake it to reduce thatch.
    • April-May: Adjust mowing height to 2.5 – 3.0 inches while ensuring not to remove more than one-third of the leaf.
    • June-September: Raise mowing height to 3.5 – 4 inches to retain soil moisture and improve drought tolerance.
    • October: Lower height back to approximately 3.0 inches as temperatures begin to fall. Expect grass to turn brown as it enters dormancy, with minimal growth except for winter weeds.
    • November-December: Maintain a mowing height of around 3 inches.

Fertilizing Established Grass

  • General Note: Always follow label instructions on fertilizer products.
  • Fertilizing Schedule:
    • January-February: No fertilization recommended.
    • March: Use Nitro-Phos fertilizers; for St. Augustine lawns needing weed and feed, apply Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Atrazine, or Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Trimec for Bermuda or Zoysia lawns.
    • May-June: Apply Nitro-Phos Superturf 19-4-10 based on label recommendations.
    • August: Repeat application of Nitro-Phos Superturf 19-4-10.
    • October-December: Apply Nitro-Phos Fall Special Fertilizer (8-12-16), following label guidelines.

Pesticides

  • General Note: Do not use pesticides preventively; treat only when signs of insect damage are visible.
  • Pesticide Schedule:
    • January-May: No pesticide application recommended.
    • June-September: Monitor for chinch bugs and sod webworms. Chinch bug damage often appears near concrete or warmer areas. Sod webworm damage appears as circular patches (softball to soccer ball-sized). Recommended products include Cyonara (liquid) and Wisdom (granular) insecticides, applying according to label instructions.
    • October-December: No pesticide application recommended.

Herbicides

  • General Note: Do not apply herbicides on grass less than one year old.
  • Herbicide Schedule:
    • January-March: Instead of chemical treatments, mow winter weeds. Apply Nitro-Phos Barricade preemergent herbicide in February.
    • April: For St. Augustine lawns requiring weed and feed, apply Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Atrazine. For Bermuda or Zoysia, use Nitro-Phos 15-5-10 with Trimec.
    • May-September: Apply Nitro-Phos Barricade preemergent herbicide in May.
    • October-November: Continue using Nitro-Phos Barricade preemergent herbicide as needed; mow winter weeds instead of treating chemically.

Fungicides for Established Grass

  • General Note: Monitor for specific fungal diseases during peak seasons.
  • Fungicide Schedule:
    • January-February: No fungicide application recommended.
    • March-April: Watch for brown patch; apply Heritage G at the first sign and again in 21 days.
    • May-August: Monitor for gray leaf spot; apply Heritage G at the first sign and repeat in 21 days.
    • September: Begin monitoring for brown patch in low areas; apply Heritage G at first signs and again in 21 days.
    • October: Continue monitoring and treat with Heritage G for brown patch at the first sign and again in 21 days.
    • November-December: No fungicide application recommended.

Conclusion

These guidelines serve as a framework for maintaining established grasses in the Houston area. Proper care, including watering, mowing, fertilization, pest control, and disease management, is crucial for a healthy lawn. For specific questions or concerns, please contact Houston Grass directly at 281-431-7441.

Cobalt St.Augustine is out of stock until spring.

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