St Augustine grass

[missyomama]

I am having problems with my St Augustine grass. The new shoots are sticking straight up in the air and have white fuzzy stuff on them . Any ideas?

[Two Bills]

Seedheads?
Mildew?
Fungus?
Grass cutting guy should know.

[Road-Runner]

Sure looks like your grass is seeding which it will do, but not an expert on St Augustine other than I've had it at all three of my homes in Florida and really don't care for the look or for walking on it. I wonder why Bermuda or Zoysia isn't more popular here?

[Pinball wizard]

St. Augustine grass does not have seeds. It replicates via runners under the ground.

[Hape2Bhr]

I am having problems with my St Augustine grass. The new shoots are sticking straight up in the air and have white fuzzy stuff on them . Any ideas?

Looks like asparagus. :popcorn:

[Happydaz]

St. Augustine grass does not have seeds. It replicates via runners under the ground.

St. Augustine grass does have seeds. They are not very viable and for that reason sod is used. St.Augustine does reproduce from runners but they are near the surface of the ground, not underneath like zoysia grass. The OP pictures definitely look like St.Augustine grass seed heads. No problem, just mow.

[Stu from NYC]

Looks like asparagus. :popcorn:

Thinking the same thing.

[Villageswimmer]

Are you sure that’s actually grass? It reminds me of a weed we have up north called pig’s ear, I think. Does it have leaves that are kind of shiny and wider, more oval, than grass?

[Marathon Man]

They are seeds.

[glsatterlee]

Yes, that is a seed head. When Saint Augustine grass is feeling stressed, possibly not enough water, it will send up seed heads as a defense mechanism. It may need some fertilization as well. Stay low with the nitrogen and put in a pot ash fertilizer. Something like a 7-0-20. The pot ash helps the roots to grow. And/or it may need to be mowed a little bit more frequently. The more frequently you mow it, the thicker it will get. If it is watered and fertilized enough.

[giorgio1948]

zoysia is already popular here.

[butlerism]

Looks more like you are growing Asparagus in your lawn!!

[butlerism]

The runners are called Stollons. They actually shoot out above the soil.
Use a generous covering of Cow Poop mixed with top soil. The grass will jump back in a week.

When & How to Plant & Grow St. Augustine Grass - Scotts (https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/grass-grass-seed/when-how-plant-grow-st-augustinegrass)

[NoMoSno]

It's Torpedo Grass invading the St. Augustine.
Lawn being taken over by torpedo grass | Page 2 | TigerDroppings.com (https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/outdoor/lawn-being-taken-over-by-torpedo-grass/70519369/page-2/)

[irishwonone]

I am having problems with my St Augustine grass. The new shoots are sticking straight up in the air and have white fuzzy stuff on them . Any ideas?
St Augustine grass tends to grow very fast in the Summer due to heat and humidity. Thus you’ll see those long runners in your yard which is exactly what you want. No issue just faster growth this time of year.

[DAVES]

Sure looks like your grass is seeding which it will do, but not an expert on St Augustine other than I've had it at all three of my homes in Florida and really don't care for the look or for walking on it. I wonder why Bermuda or Zoysia isn't more popular here?

As far as grass type the type you have depends on where your home is. Most people areas, have either St Augustine or Empire Zoyzia. Sadly, endless useless posting of my lawn can take your lawn.

Each has pluses and minuses and each can grow a nice lawn. In terms of PROPER care, they are different.

[DAVES]

St. Augustine grass does not have seeds. It replicates via runners under the ground.

Actually that is not so. There are many varieties of St Augustine grass. You can buy St Augustine grass seed, it is not the same variety planted by the builders in the villages.

Runners Zoyzia runs them under ground. St Augustine runs them on top.

Both the variety of St Augustine planted in the villages and the empire zoysia do produce seeds. They are either not viable or since both are hybrids they will not breed true.

[justjim]

The Developer used Empire Zoysia between 466A and State Route 44 in all of the villages. South of 44 they are using St. Augustine grass. The area between 466 and 466A has both types of grasses. I have Empire Zoysia and like it and have friends who have St. Augustine grass and they like it. Some probably don’t care for either! To each his own. As to why the Developer has changed the type of grass south of 44 you would have to ask the Developer. The white “stuff” on your grass I would contact a company like Massey or Deans who applies fertilizer and other various chemicals on yards for a living.

[Atamasco]

The runners are called Stollons. They actually shoot out above the soil.
Use a generous covering of Cow Poop mixed with top soil. The grass will jump back in a week.

When & How to Plant & Grow St. Augustine Grass - Scotts (https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/grass-grass-seed/when-how-plant-grow-st-augustinegrass)

Stolons are what run beneath the earth; runners are above the earth

[Rodneysblue]

Looks like asparagus. :popcorn:
That’s what I thought too.

[yanksansky]

Sure looks like your grass is seeding which it will do, but not an expert on St Augustine other than I've had it at all three of my homes in Florida and really don't care for the look or for walking on it. I wonder why Bermuda or Zoysia isn't more popular here?
Zoysia common south of 44

[NoMo50]

Zoysia common south of 44

I haven't seen any Empire Zoysia in the villages South of SR44. All of the grass (sod) being placed in the new home's is St. Augustine. Specifically, it is a type of St. Augustine called Floratam. This is a variant jointly developed by the University of Florida and Texas A&M geared to the soil and climate of our region. In the common areas owned by The Villages, the developer typically plants Bahia grass.