Winter Care Tips to Keep St. Augustine Grass Lush & Green

When your lawn starts turning brown during the winter months, it can be confusing and frustrating. As a homeowner, it's natural to want to know why your grass loses its green color. Winter presents many unique challenges to St. Augustine grass, including pest infestations, fungal diseases, and poor watering practices. Another significant factor is dormancy.

St. Augustine grass is a warm-season variety that can go dormant when temperatures drop. However, dormancy may not be an issue if you live in southern Florida. The consistently warm climate in this region often keeps St. Augustine grass lush and green year-round. Providing the right St. Augustine grass feed is crucial in supporting healthy growth. If your lawn isn't thriving in these warmer areas, it's time to rethink your lawn care approach and adjust your practices accordingly.

St. Augustine Grass Winter Care Tips

If you're still mowing your St. Augustine grass every one to two weeks, even during the winter, it means your lawn is still growing actively. In this case, maintaining a consistent lawn care routine is essential, but you should be ready to adjust based on local weather conditions to ensure a healthy lawn.

But First, Check for Pests and Diseases

If your lawn looks brown or patchy despite stable temperatures, underlying issues could be at play. Examine the affected areas closely by pulling up a section of the brown grass and inspecting the roots and soil. Healthy roots should appear white and firm, whereas discolored or weakened roots can signal trouble. Look for common pests like grubs—soft, white, C-shaped larvae that damage the roots—or chinch bugs, which create sunken patches on the lawn.

Diseases like brown patch, which appears as circular brown areas, and gray leaf spot, characterized by gray lesions on grass blades, often infect lawns in cooler, moist conditions. Accurate identification is key to effective treatment. If pests or diseases aren’t the problem, it may be time to reassess your overall care routine.

Aerating and Dethatching

Aeration and dethatching are typically performed in early spring or fall, but in mild Florida winters, there may be room for flexibility. Aeration can help relieve compacted soil that prevents root growth, but proceed cautiously. A lawn stressed by a sudden cold snap will have difficulty recovering, so avoid aerating if cold weather is expected.

Light dethatching can also be helpful if excessive thatch buildup is affecting water absorption. But again, be cautious not to stress the grass further during colder conditions.

Watering: When, How Much, and How Often

Proper watering practices are also crucial to keeping your St. Augustine grass healthy during the winter. Aim to water about once a week, providing around one inch of water to promote deep root growth. Deep watering helps make the root system more drought-resistant, which is particularly important as temperatures fluctuate.

Always water in the morning to reduce the risk of fungal diseases as watering later in the day can keep grass blades wet for too long. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall and temperature. If your soil feels dry or your lawn starts to show signs of dehydration—such as grass blades turning a dull color or failing to spring back when stepped on—increase watering slightly. However, be wary of overwatering as this can lead to root rot. Monitoring soil moisture is key to achieving the right balance.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing during the winter months often sparks confusion. It's a common practice to stop fertilization in the fall, but if your St. Augustine grass is actively growing, you can continue with light applications of slow-release fertilizer. St. Augustine is a heavy feeder that requires consistent nutrients to maintain its lush, green appearance. Its wide grass blades need adequate nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) to recover from wear and promote new growth. Nutrient deficiencies weaken the grass, making it more susceptible to diseases and stunting its self-repairing growth. Applying fertilizer will provide the nutrients your lawn needs without overwhelming it.

Weeding

A nutrient-deficient lawn is more susceptible to weed infestations, especially in bare or thinning areas. Weeds can quickly germinate and spread when the grass is stressed or lacks nutrients. A comprehensive treatment approach, including manual weeding and pre-emergent herbicides, can help control weeds and keep them from taking over.

Addressing bare spots immediately also discourages weed growth and helps maintain a dense, healthy lawn. Remember, a dense, well-nourished lawn is your best defense against invasive weeds.

Repair with Grass Plugs

If your lawn has suffered damage, winter can be an excellent time for repairs. Grass plugs are a practical solution for patching small areas of your St. Augustine lawn. These plugs are mature sections of grass with established root systems, making them more efficient at filling bare spots than starting from seed. The cooler winter weather helps reduce stress on the new grass, allowing the roots to establish more effectively. This sets the stage for vigorous growth in spring.

Use NutriPod Fertilizer for St. Augustine Grass Plugs

Using NutriPod grass fertilizer can accelerate growth up to two times faster. With a 17-1-10 NPK ratio and a slow-release formula, NutriPod ensures that nutrients are delivered directly to the root zone, encouraging growth, preventing nutrient leaching, and keeping your lawn healthy and green.

Final Thoughts

St. Augustine grass offers the benefits of drought and shade tolerance, making it a resilient option for many lawns. Tailoring your lawn care routine to the season is essential to keeping your St. Augustine grass healthy throughout the year. Monitoring for pests, practicing proper watering techniques, and fertilizing thoughtfully will help maintain lawn health through the colder months.

Proactive measures like addressing nutrient needs and controlling weeds are essential, and repairs using grass plugs can prepare your lawn for vigorous growth in spring. With diligence and the right practices, your St. Augustine grass will be well-positioned to stay healthy and dense year-round.