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Lawn Dominators

St. Augustine calendar

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Reviewed May 9, 2026

St. Augustine lawn care calendar

St. Augustinegrass needs careful timing because it is sensitive to stress, cold, disease pressure, and some herbicides.

St. Augustine season checklist

Spring

NC State recommends nitrogen in May or two weeks after green-up, whichever is latest. Where crabgrass and goosegrass have been a problem, its calendar lists mid-to-late February preemergence timing, adjusted to local conditions and labels.

Summer

Track irrigation, chinch bug checks, disease symptoms, and herbicide sensitivity notes. St. Augustinegrass can be injured by some products that other warm-season grasses tolerate.

Fall and winter

NC State's St. Augustinegrass calendar gives specific soil-temperature triggers for large patch prevention: apply a preventive fungicide in fall when soil temperatures drop to 80°F, then continue monthly until soil temperatures drop below 60°F. A spring application is recommended when soil temperatures reach 55°F for four consecutive days. Keep product, rate, date, and weather notes so recurring disease areas are easier to manage.

Research and extension sources

  1. NC State Extension: St. Augustinegrass Lawn Maintenance Calendar
  2. University of Minnesota Extension: Crabgrass