Lawn & Gardening in San Antonio (yard, mowers, areas)

[Hoot Owl]

What can I do to get my St. Augustine turf to grow better? I have some bald patches that I want to fill in. I've applied a Scott's fertilizer. Should I try a root stimulator?

[SnappyBob]

Run an aeriator across your lawn then apply some compost. Put extra compost on and around the bald spots. Keep it watered. Stay off of the bald spots. I haven't applied chemical fertilizer to my St. Augustine in many years and it's coming in just fine this spring. I only apply compost to the whole yard every 3 years.

[TXtrkgrl]

My yard was doing HORRIBLE last year. I hadn't neglected it in any way so I was banging my head trying to figure out what happened.

We ended up putting top soil on the yard and it helped it tremendously!!!
This was top soil mixed with manure.

We think what was causing the problem was the bagger we had on the mower. I think it was sucking up the dirt and nutrients.

Good luck with your yard, try the compost!!

[Reallybigshoe]

Aeration and compost are both very good ideas. "Root stimulator" not so much, especially if you've just fertilized. Chewing up the bald spots and adding a fresh square of sod is not a bad idea.

Think about the areas and why they may be bald. Is something underneath them? Basketball nets being removed without taking out the concrete base has caused many a mystery bald spot. Water running to and puddling in an area will also do it - especially if you've been fertilizing regularily, as the chemicals will all be washed to one or a few points in the yard.

Mowing with a mulching blade and getting rid of the bag is definitely a good choice. We don't use bags on any of our mowers unless specifically requested against our advisement.