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St. Augustine grass is found from the Carolinas to Florida and westward along the Gulf Coast to Texas and in California. St. Augustine thrives in high temperatures and cool, coastal climates. After establishment, the success of St. Augustine as a lawn grass depends largely on management. Mowing, fertilization and supplemental watering are required to maintain a dense, green, weed-free St. Augustine lawn.
Several insect pests cause serious damage to St. Augustine grass. Problems in our region are caused particularly by chinch bugs, white grubs, sod webworms, army worms and cutworms. Timely and proper applications of insecticides will control all of these insects and prevent further damage.
Brown patch and gray leaf spot are the most serious diseases caused by fungi attacking St. Augustine grass. Although these diseases rarely kill St. Augustine, they severely weaken and thin the grass to the degree that the lawn is unsightly. Curative applications of fungicides are most effective against these diseases.
A healthy St. Augustine grass lawn effectively crowds out most broadleaf weeds. But St. Augustine grass that is not properly maintained or is weakened by insects or disease can be invaded by grassy and broadleaf weeds. These weeds can be maintained with the correct applications of herbicides.
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