Secret to St. Augustine Grass: A Fort Worth Lawn Favorite!

Hey Fort Worth neighbors! Cole here from New Day Landscaping. If you've been wondering how to get that lush, green St. Augustine lawn that stands up to our Texas heat, you're in the right place. As someone who's been doing lawn care for Fort Worth homeowners for years, I've learned that the real secret isn't just what you see on the surface – it's what's happening underground in the root system.

A big thanks to The Suburban Home Nut channel for creating this informative video about St. Augustine grass care.

Why St. Augustine Thrives in Fort Worth

St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for many Fort Worth homeowners, and for good reason. This grass variety handles our hot, humid summers better than most other types. But maintaining that vibrant green color through our challenging weather requires some local know-how.

In our experience working with over 100 local families, we've found that properly maintained St. Augustine lawns can stay green and healthy even during those brutal August heat waves when temperatures soar above 100°F. The key is understanding how this grass adapts to our specific North Texas soil and climate conditions.

Understanding the Root System: Where the Magic Happens

When we assess a lawn at New Day Landscaping, we don't just look at the green blades – we examine what's happening beneath the surface. St. Augustine grass spreads through stolons (those runners you see creeping along the ground), creating nodes approximately every inch to inch and a half. These nodes are crucial because they push down roots and create crowns from which leaves emerge.

Healthy St. Augustine roots can grow up to 10 inches long in Fort Worth's clay-heavy soil. They should be thick, white, and have tiny fuzzy extensions that increase surface area for nutrient absorption. When we renovate lawns in neighborhoods like Tanglewood or Overton Park, we focus on nurturing these roots first because we know that's where lawn health begins.

Remember this: Green grass doesn't always mean healthy grass. I've seen plenty of lawns in Benbrook and Crowley that look green on top but have weak, shallow root systems that won't survive our summer drought conditions. That's why we focus on comprehensive lawn care that builds resilience from the roots up.

Fort Worth Watering Strategies

Our Fort Worth climate presents unique watering challenges. While the general recommendation is to water St. Augustine 2-3 times per week with about half an inch of water each time, we need to adjust this based on our local conditions.

During our hot summers, especially in July and August, your lawn might need more frequent watering, particularly if you're in an area with sandy soil like parts of Benbrook. Meanwhile, in our clay-heavy areas of Fort Worth, you'll need to water more deeply but less frequently to prevent runoff.

Here's our local watering strategy:

• Water between 4-8 AM to minimize evaporation (Fort Worth water restrictions permitting)

• During 100°+ days, consider a quick 5-minute "cooling" irrigation in the afternoon

• Invest in a simple rain gauge to track exactly how much water your lawn is receiving

• Look for curling grass blades or lingering footprints as signs your lawn needs water

Mowing Heights for Texas Heat

One mistake we often see in Fort Worth neighborhoods is St. Augustine being cut too short. While you might be tempted to give your lawn a shorter cut (especially before heading out for a weekend getaway), this can be devastating during our hot summer months.

At New Day Landscaping, we maintain St. Augustine at 3.5-4 inches in height during peak summer. This taller height:

• Protects the soil from excessive heat

• Creates deeper, more drought-resistant roots

• Provides natural weed suppression

• Requires less water to maintain

When we take on new clients in areas like Wedgwood East or Foster Park, we often have to gradually raise the cutting height to help their grass recover from being cut too short. Our professional lawn mowing equipment ensures clean cuts at the proper height, which makes all the difference in lawn health.

Fertilization Tailored to Texas Soil

When it comes to fertilizing St. Augustine in Fort Worth, we need to consider our alkaline soil conditions. Many national products aren't formulated with our specific soil chemistry in mind.

In our lawn care programs, we use locally appropriate fertilizers that provide both macronutrients (NPK) and essential micronutrients. In fact, with our 95% customer retention rate, many clients tell us they've never seen their St. Augustine look as healthy as when they started our nutrition program.

The micronutrients that are particularly important for St. Augustine in our area include:

• Iron (to combat our high-pH soil issues)

• Magnesium

• Manganese

• Zinc

• Sulfur (helps lower soil pH)

We apply these in carefully timed applications throughout the growing season, ensuring your grass has what it needs when it needs it.

Managing Fort Worth Lawn Pests

Our warm climate in Fort Worth creates ideal conditions for St. Augustine grass – but unfortunately, it's also perfect for pests like chinch bugs, grubs, and sod webworms. These pests can devastate a lawn in a matter of days if left unchecked.

At New Day Landscaping, we implement proactive pest management strategies:

• Regular lawn inspections (we look for the early warning signs most homeowners miss)

• Preventative treatments timed to insect life cycles in our specific climate

• Low-impact control methods that target pests while protecting beneficial insects

Chinch bugs are particularly problematic in the Fort Worth area during hot, dry periods. They cause distinctive yellow patches that quickly turn brown and don't respond to watering. If you see these symptoms, especially in the hottest, sunniest parts of your lawn, give us a call right away.

Managing Thatch in Fort Worth's Climate

Thatch – that layer of dead grass and organic material between your soil and the green grass – is often overlooked but critically important to manage, especially with St. Augustine lawns in our climate.

Due to our extended growing season in Fort Worth, St. Augustine can produce thatch more quickly than in cooler regions. When thatch gets too thick (over 1/2 inch), it prevents water and nutrients from reaching the roots and creates ideal conditions for pests and diseases.

Our approach to thatch management includes:

• Regular core aeration (especially in Fort Worth's clay-heavy soils)

• Top-dressing with quality compost to introduce beneficial microbes

• Maintaining proper mowing and watering practices to prevent excessive thatch buildup

Your Fort Worth Lawn Care Partner

Maintaining a beautiful St. Augustine lawn in Fort Worth requires local knowledge and consistent care. At New Day Landscaping, we provide detail-oriented services tailored specifically to our Texas climate and soil conditions. With our 25+ five-star reviews, we're proud to be the trusted choice for lawn care throughout Fort Worth, Benbrook, and Crowley.

If you're struggling with your St. Augustine lawn or simply want to take it to the next level, give us a call at (817) 760-0479 or visit our website to schedule a consultation. Our team is ready to help your lawn achieve its full potential with comprehensive care that focuses on root health – because we know that's the real secret to a lawn your neighbors will envy.