Originally Posted by Teemotay (Post 2273850)

It’s difficult to advise you on the proper way to fix this yourself without more info, although many have done just that.

Your question was for trustworthy landscapers to give you a fresh start. I can’t help you there, however if you want to give it a shot yourself then you need to educate yourself on several issues concerning growing healthy St Augustine grass.

Weeds have been a big problem this year and especially since we’ve been in a bit of a drought for a while now. Without adequate water the grass weakens and the weeds come in. You said that you water regularly but what does that mean? You could be watering every day for 10 minutes and not getting enough water for your grass to thrive. First, understand how much water your grass needs and then test to be sure it’s getting it from your irrigation.

You should also do a soil test to better understand what what is lacking in it. The grass needs nutrients and proper water to thrive. A soil test will tell you what fertilizer to apply so that you’re feeding your grass what it needs.

As far as weeds are concerned, you need to know what they are so that you know how to control/eradicate them. One size definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to fertilizer and weed control.

Your grass is not dormant now, contrary to another comment in this thread. We’ve been having temps in the 80’s and healthy St Augustine is still growing enough to need mowing. If you’re mowing it then it’s not dormant.

I do my own lawn mowing and treatment. I’ve attached a picture of how it looks this morning. Definitely not dormant.

The University of Florida extension service has great info on growing a healthy St Augustine lawn. Good luck with your lawn!

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2273712)

Do you know a contractor that can do this? Is it expensive?

Originally Posted by kevinm55 (Post 2273512)

Hi all. The front lawn consisting of St Augustine grass at our villa looks terrible and also has weeds. We water regularly and pay for treatment every other month from a company called zoysia green (obviously not happy with their service)….

In short, I am considering having all grass torn out, fresh soil added and then either seed or sod put down. I would be interested in hearing any and all suggestions from those who have done the same or similar. Also interested to learn if there is a particular time of year that is suggested for best results.

Any recommendations for trustworthy landscapers to do this job will also be appreciated. I love the Villages and want to make my lawn look great and think I need to start my lawn over! Thx in advance

Originally Posted by kevinm55 (Post 2273512)

Hi all. The front lawn consisting of St Augustine grass at our villa looks terrible and also has weeds. We water regularly and pay for treatment every other month from a company called zoysia green (obviously not happy with their service)….

In short, I am considering having all grass torn out, fresh soil added and then either seed or sod put down. I would be interested in hearing any and all suggestions from those who have done the same or similar. Also interested to learn if there is a particular time of year that is suggested for best results.

Any recommendations for trustworthy landscapers to do this job will also be appreciated. I love the Villages and want to make my lawn look great and think I need to start my lawn over! Thx in advance

Originally Posted by Rich Iwaszko (Post 2273905)

Please include more pictures of the rest of the lawn.......thanks

Originally Posted by Switter (Post 2273859)

I'm actually kind of glad to hear this! I'm pretty new to the villages and my lawn is a little rough (working on it) and I'm worried that I'm gonna get a letter from ARC, lol. I probably won't but I am still learning the ropes here. I eventually will replace more of my lawn with landscaping to reduce the amount of grass I have. Saint Augustine grass isn't even nice as far as I'm concerned, not compared to Kentucky bluegrass that I had in Minnesota. It reminds me of the quackgrass and crabgrass I was trying to kill off, lol.

Originally Posted by Rich Iwaszko (Post 2273950)

Everything everyone is saying here is true............imagine a world where you did not have to worry about any of it. If you turn your lawn to cover and stone and no grass you eliminate, irrigation, fertilization weed control, fungicide, insecticide, mowing, which when done still ends up with a 60% green lawn..............that would buy a lot of dinners and you would sleep better at nite. BUT

Check with your district ARC before doing that to get an okay.......in a Villa its the way to go.............:boom:

Originally Posted by Teemotay (Post 2273939)

I suspect that you’re wanting to validate your earlier comment about the lawns you’ve seen. I’ll tell you that it’s not perfect and you’ll see parts that are showing signs of needing water, however my comment was intending to show that St Augustine grass in our area of Florida is not dormant.

Originally Posted by Rich Iwaszko (Post 2274003)

Yes, it is not dormant yet........... you have a great looking lawn..you are in the 1% that do. Congratulations, keep it up............my message on villa's is to minimize the grass......some in citrus grove have and awns are not an issue for them now......

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2273804)

Scott’s pro vista St. Augustine isn’t harmed by the spray. If you aren’t sure if this is your type of grass, contact The Villages before spraying. It is widely used in South Florida. Many sod farms grow this type of grass.

Here is a link to better assist you
https://www.lawnsite.com/threads/wha....485154/page-2