The warm season grasses that we grow in our area grow fast in the summer heat. The more they grow the more they may need to be mowed. If you like the grass kept cut short, then mowing frequency may need to increase. No more than 1/3 of the leaf blade should be removed at any one cutting. Here is some quick math. When cut to 1 inch the grass should get no taller than 1.5 inches. If the mower is set at 2 inches, the grass shouldn’t get taller than 3 inches before getting cut. I set my mower at 3 inches to cut the St. Augustinegrass in my yard so I can allow it to get to a max height of 4.5 inches before it must be cut. Keep this in mind when deciding what height to cut the lawn.

Also, the grass will grow faster if it is fertilized with 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. In our sandy soils, we may also need some potassium to help the lawn grow fast and sturdy. Look for a 15-0-15 fertilizer to give the grass a good dose of both nutrients.

Lastly, if the grass is yellowing, consider applying some iron to the area to help it turn back to green. Sandy soils can sometimes be lacking in iron, which is important for that rich, green color. Chinch bugs may also be a problem in St. Augustinegrass. If the iron doesn’t help, checking for chinch bugs may help.