St. Augustine Grass Care in Georgia
St. Augustine grass has the best shade tolerance of any warm-season turf — but it needs careful management for gray leaf spot, chinch bugs, and high water demands.
St. Augustine basics
Understanding St. Augustine Grass in Middle Georgia
St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a broad-bladed, lush warm-season turf prized for its ability to thrive in shade where bermuda and zoysia fail. It's more common in coastal Georgia and Florida, but some Middle Georgia homeowners with heavily shaded yards choose it as their best option.
The tradeoff is real: St. Augustine demands more water, is highly vulnerable to gray leaf spot disease and chinch bugs, and can't handle heavy foot traffic. It rewards homeowners who commit to consistent, grass-type-specific care — and punishes those who treat it like bermuda.
Key Stats at a Glance
2.5-4 inches
High
Partial shade to full sun
Semi-dormant in winter
Strengths & weaknesses
What St. Augustine Does Well — and Where It Struggles
Strengths
Best shade tolerance of any warm-season grass
Thick, lush appearance with broad blades
Establishes quickly from sod
Good salt tolerance for coastal-influenced areas
Stays somewhat green in mild Georgia winters
Challenges
Very susceptible to gray leaf spot disease
Chinch bugs are a major and recurring threat
High water requirements compared to other warm-season grasses
Cannot tolerate heavy foot traffic
Less common in Middle Georgia — limited local supplier availability
Requires taller mowing height than bermuda or zoysia
Seasonal schedule
St. Augustine Grass Care by Season
Spring
March – May
- Green-up begins as soil temps reach 65°F — typically later March in Middle Georgia
- First mow when grass reaches 3–4 inches — set blade to 2.5–3 inches
- Apply pre-emergent before crabgrass and goosegrass germinate
- Light fertilization once active growth is established
- Watch for large patch symptoms as soil temps hover between 60–75°F
Summer
June – August
- Maintain mowing height at 3–4 inches — taller blades shade the soil and retain moisture
- Water deeply — St. Augustine needs 1–1.5 inches per week, more during drought
- Peak gray leaf spot season — avoid excess nitrogen and monitor for lesions
- Scout for chinch bugs in hot, sunny areas near driveways and sidewalks
- Moderate fertilization — avoid heavy nitrogen during humid conditions
Fall
September – November
- Reduce fertilization as growth slows — no nitrogen after late September
- Apply preventive fungicide for large patch as soil temps drop below 75°F
- Pre-emergent for winter annual weeds like henbit and chickweed
- Continue watering until dormancy begins — dry fall weakens root systems
- Gradually lower mowing height to 2.5–3 inches as growth slows
Winter
December – February
- St. Augustine goes semi-dormant — retains some green in mild Middle Georgia winters
- Avoid all foot traffic on dormant or semi-dormant turf
- No fertilization during dormancy
- Spot treat active winter weeds as needed with selective herbicide
- Monitor for winterkill in exposed areas after hard freezes
Common issues
Problems That Affect St. Augustine in Georgia
Gray Leaf Spot
The most damaging disease for St. Augustine in Georgia. Causes olive-green to brown lesions with dark borders on leaf blades. Thrives in hot, humid summer weather with heavy nitrogen fertilization. Can thin turf dramatically in weeks.
Learn more →Chinch Bugs
Tiny sap-sucking insects that inject toxin into grass blades. Damage starts in hot, sunny areas and expands outward. Often mistaken for drought stress, but watering won’t help — the grass is dead, not dormant.
Learn more →Thatch Buildup
St. Augustine’s vigorous stolon growth creates a thick thatch layer that traps moisture and harbors disease. Regular dethatching or core aeration keeps the thatch layer manageable and improves water penetration.
Learn more →Shade Die-Off
Even though St. Augustine handles shade better than any warm-season grass, it still needs 4–6 hours of filtered sunlight. Dense canopy growth or new construction that blocks light can cause gradual thinning and decline.
Winterkill
St. Augustine is the least cold-hardy warm-season grass in Middle Georgia. Extended freezes below 20°F can kill stolons and crowns, especially in exposed or elevated areas. Healthy turf going into winter survives better.
Why Attaboy
Why Trust Attaboy With Your St. Augustine Lawn
Common questions
St. Augustine Grass Care FAQ
Is St. Augustine a good choice for Middle Georgia?
St. Augustine can work well in Middle Georgia, especially in shaded yards where bermuda and zoysia struggle. However, it’s less common here than in coastal areas. It needs more water, is vulnerable to gray leaf spot and chinch bugs, and has limited local sod supplier availability. If your yard has significant shade, it may be the best option — but it requires committed maintenance.
How much shade does St. Augustine need?
St. Augustine doesn’t need shade — it tolerates it better than other warm-season grasses. It performs well in partial shade with 4–6 hours of filtered or direct sunlight. Full sun is fine too, though you’ll use more water. Below 4 hours of light, even St. Augustine will thin out over time.
Why does my St. Augustine lawn have brown patches?
The most likely cause in Middle Georgia is gray leaf spot, a fungal disease that thrives in hot, humid summer conditions — especially when nitrogen levels are high. Chinch bug damage is another common cause, particularly in sunny areas near concrete. Drought stress and large patch disease (active in spring and fall) are also possibilities. A proper diagnosis determines the right treatment.
How often should I water St. Augustine in Georgia?
St. Augustine needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week during the growing season, including rainfall. Water deeply and infrequently — two to three times per week rather than daily. Early morning watering reduces disease risk by letting blades dry before nightfall. During peak summer heat, you may need to increase to 1.5 inches weekly.
What’s the best mowing height for St. Augustine?
Mow St. Augustine at 2.5 to 4 inches — significantly taller than bermuda or zoysia. Taller blades shade the soil, retain moisture, and help the grass compete with weeds. Never remove more than one-third of the blade height in a single mowing. Scalping St. Augustine opens the door to disease and weed invasion.
How do I prevent chinch bug damage?
Proper watering is the best defense — chinch bugs prefer hot, dry turf. Keep your lawn well-irrigated during summer, especially near driveways, sidewalks, and south-facing edges where heat radiates. A preventive insecticide application in early summer provides added protection. Catching an infestation early limits the damage.
Can I overseed St. Augustine with ryegrass in winter?
It’s not recommended. Overseeding can compete with St. Augustine during spring green-up and delay recovery. St. Augustine stays somewhat green in mild Middle Georgia winters anyway. If winter color is a priority, focus on keeping the turf healthy going into dormancy rather than overseeding.
Related guides
More Grass Care Guides for Georgia
Other Grass Type Guides
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