[GMullins2]

So we just had our home built and the sod was laid in January. It was a horrible job to say the least, the builder sub-contracted it out to the lowest bidder.

Well I was able to pull it from a brown mess to a lush emerald green carpet. All it took was a ton of water and some starter fertilizer 18-24-6.

Now about 60% of my yard is floratam the rest is Bahia. The Bahia isnt under irrigation so it isn't really an issue as I know when the rains come it will green back up.

The floratam is causing me problems. So I treated the yard with an anitfungal granule treatment as well as some weed and feed 29-0-10.

The antifingal was about a month or more ago because of what I thought was dollar spot, well it really didn't do much so about 2 maybe 3 weeks ago I reapplied the weed and feed. Still no improvement. Not sure what direction to take it in, I don't want to pay someone to do my yard as I'd rather do it on my own.

Also I water each zone for 30 mins twice a week and I've applied a "all in one pesticide" about 3 months ago. Here are some pictures of what it's doing. It's all turning yellow, almost straw like and thinning all over the yard.

 

[Redtenchu]

Bump: Sorry I don't know much about St Augustine, but I'm hoping someone can chime in.

 

[GMullins2]

Yes because it's getting worse. I'm getting close to calling the pros.

 

[Redtenchu]

Yes because it's getting worse. I'm getting close to calling the pros.

How does it look compared to the people around you?

 

[GMullins2]

Neighbors beside me is a little greener but thicker. The neighbor on the other side who uses a professional service is emerald green and super thick.

My grass is turning straw like and thinning something aweful. I'm at a loss, I've done everything I can think to get it back to it's former glory.

This week is the first week of cold weather so I know it hasn't gone dormant yet.

 

[Spammage]

It will be difficult to diagnose from a few overview shots. St Augustine is very susceptible to multiple different pests. I would bet Large Patch, but wouldn't be surprised if this is a different fungus, chinch bugs or nematodes. It might be beneficial to speak with your neighbor to see if they can tell you how their lawn has been treated and for what.

 

[GMullins2]

Yeah, I treated for fungus with a kind of treat all liquid fungicide, then used granular for common pest. I spoke with the neighbors with the emerald green yard and all I got was "we use so and so". I called "so and so" lawn company and they are coming out tomorrow.

Nothing I do seems to help. I will get some better pictures in the morning of the bad spots and post them. Hoping the company can give me a good enough rate something comparable to what it cost me to keep the yard up monthly.

 

[Iriasj2009]

This week is the first week of cold weather so I know it hasn't gone dormant yet.

Hello gmullins2,

What you need now is patience. No pro is going to transform your lawn back to a lush green carpet over night. Like you said, the cooler weather has arrived and it will take some time before your floratam bounces back from what it seems to be a combo of pest and fungus. For now I suggest you stop using more chemicals, cut back on watering, and be patient. Floratam is an outstanding variety and WILL come back.

when was the last time you fertilized and with what?
How often are you watering or getting rain?
What are your average temps for the next 3 months?

 

[Bunnysarefat]

I know if I try and push my St. Augustine too hard with fertilizer, it does not respond well and it's counterproductive. It will look worse than if I wouldn't have applied any. Not clear that's what you did, but just something I've experienced. It doesn't need much.

St Augustine really does have a lot of problems, but they more often than not are the same problems over and over. But they seem to be hard to identify in yard to yard for some reason it seems for the regular homeowner for whatever reason. Many of the common problems have been mentioned. Chinch bugs, one of the various funguses. To fight fungus, never water in the evening. You're just asking for it if you do.

I would guess some kind of fungus, which takes time to work its way out if you've applied something, but it's not obvious based on the pictures. And from my experience, if you've recently applied fertilizer you may have just pushed it too hard. Pushing St. Augustine too hard and fungus problems often go hand in hand. I've had light fungus problems go away by just backing off on fert and only watering in the morning. Takes a few weeks but it went away.