Weed growth competes with turfgrass growth. Good maintenance practices help eliminate weed problems. However, it may be necessary even under the best of care, to apply herbicides to maintain weed free turfgrass. Contact your local County Extension agent or herbicide dealer for recommendations for your type turfgrass.
After a good turf has become established, good maintenance practices will result in a dense, weed-free, uniform turf with a minimum of problems. Good maintenance involves proper mowing, fertilizing, watering and control of weeds, nematodes, insects and diseases.
Sod Mowing
Floratam should be mowed weekly at a height of 3 to 4 inches or a high as the mower will cut using a rotary type mower during the period from March through November. During winter months less frequent mows will be required because the growth rate is slower. Maintain the 4-inch height-of-cut during this period. Sharpening the blade several times during the year will result in a better cut and do less damage to the turf.
Sod Fertilization
Floratam is a vigorous St. Augustine grass that responds to fertilization, especially nitrogen. Nitrogen fertilization will produce a dense turf with excellent color. A complete analysis, slow-release formulation fertilizer such as 19 -5 -9 is recommended in March -April followed by a 3 -1 -2 or 4 -1 -2 “Winterizer” -ratio such as 15 -5 -10 or 20 -5 -10 in September or October.
Sod Watering
Water Floratam at the rate of 1.5 to 2 inches per week.
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