Annual Management Schedule
Full-year agronomic program for St. Augustine grass sod production in Hardee County, FL. All rates are per acre unless noted. Always follow label directions and obtain required Florida pesticide applicator licenses.
Coming up — next 45 days
Herbicide
Fertilizer
Pesticide/Insecticide
Fungicide
Cultural Practice
Irrigation
❄️ WinterDecember — February · Dormant / Slow Growth
Herbicide — Pre-emergent
Atrazine (Aatrex / South FL Turf-Herbicide)
Apply in December for winter annual broadleaf and grass weed control. St. Augustine tolerant. Excellent for henbit, chickweed, annual bluegrass.
2–4 qt/ac · Do not exceed 4 qt/ac/yr
Herbicide — Post-emergent
Metsulfuron-methyl (Manor / MSM Turf)
Spot treat or broadcast for dollar weed, sedge, and broadleaf winter weeds. Apply when temps are above 55°F and weeds are actively growing.
0.5–1.0 oz/ac · Add non-ionic surfactant
Fertilizer
Minimal / No Nitrogen
Avoid N fertilizer during dormancy. If needed, apply potassium (0-0-50 or K-Mag) to boost cold tolerance and root strength.
K2O: 30–50 lbs/ac if needed
Cultural Practice
Soil Testing
Pull soil samples across all fields. Target pH 6.0–7.0. Submit to UF/IFAS extension lab. Adjust lime/sulfur applications before spring push.
1 sample per 5–10 acres
Cultural Practice
Mowing Height Adjustment
Raise mowing height to 4–4.5" during winter months to protect crowns from cold. Reduce mowing frequency to every 2–3 weeks.
Mow height: 4–4.5"
Irrigation
Reduced / Frost Watch
Reduce irrigation. Apply 0.25–0.5" only when needed. Overhead irrigation during freeze events (below 28°F) can protect sod from freeze damage.
0.5–1.0"/week or as needed
🌱 SpringMarch — May · Green-Up / Active Growth
Fertilizer — Starter
Balanced NPK Spring Application
Apply when soil temps reach 65°F (~mid-March). Use slow-release N (polymer-coated urea). Target 1 lb N/1000 sq ft.
15-5-15 or 16-4-8 SCU · 40–50 lbs N/ac
Fertilizer — Micronutrients
Iron + Manganese + Minors
Sandy FL soils often show Fe and Mn deficiency (yellowing). Apply chelated iron foliar or granular. Prevents interveinal chlorosis.
Fe: 2–4 lbs/ac · Mn: 1–2 lbs/ac
Herbicide — Pre-emergent
Pendimethalin or Prodiamine
Apply in late Feb/early March BEFORE soil temps hit 55°F (4" depth) to prevent crabgrass, goosegrass, summer annual grassy weeds.
3–4 lbs AI/ac · Water in within 2 weeks
Herbicide — Post-emergent
Certainty (sulfosulfuron) for Sedge
For sedges (nutsedge) and broadleaves emerging in spring. Apply when weeds are young (2–4 leaf stage) for best control.
Certainty: 1.25 oz/ac · 2 apps, 6 wks apart
Insecticide — Preventive
Imidacloprid (Merit) — Grub/Mole Cricket
Apply April–May to prevent white grub and mole cricket damage. Critical for sod farm root protection. Irrigate in immediately.
0.5–1.0 lbs AI/ac · Irrigate in 0.5"
Fungicide — Preventive
Azoxystrobin (Heritage)
Begin Brown Patch preventive program as temps warm and humidity rises. Rotate chemistries to prevent resistance.
Heritage: 0.4–0.8 oz/ac · 14–21 day intervals
Cultural Practice
Scalp Mowing + Dethatching
In early March, scalp sod to 2.5–3" to remove dead winter material and stimulate uniform green-up. Dethatch if thatch layer exceeds 0.5".
Mow to 2.5–3" · Rake/collect debris
Irrigation
Increase to Support Green-Up
Increase to 1.0–1.5" per week as growth resumes. Apply in early morning to reduce fungal disease pressure.
1.0–1.5"/week · AM irrigation only
☀️ SummerJune — August · Peak Growth / Rainy Season
Fertilizer — Main Season
High-N Summer Program (Slow-Release)
Highest N demand of the year. Apply monthly. Use ONLY slow-release sources per Hardee County BMP requirements. Split applications recommended.
50–60 lbs N/ac/month · SR formulations only
Herbicide — Post-emergent
Quinclorac (Drive XLR8) for Crabgrass
Target crabgrass and summer annual grasses. Avoid applications above 90°F to prevent St. Augustine injury. Add MSO adjuvant.
0.75–1.5 lbs AI/ac · Avoid heat stress
Herbicide — Sedge
Halosulfuron (Sedgehammer) or Sulfentrazone
Peak nutsedge and kyllinga season. Apply Sedgehammer every 6–8 weeks as needed.
Sedgehammer: 1.33 oz/ac · 2–3 apps/season
Insecticide — Chinch Bug
Bifenthrin (Talstar) or Clothianidin (Arena)
Southern chinch bug is THE #1 insect pest. Peak June–August. Threshold: 25 bugs/sq ft. Rotate modes of action every application!
Bifenthrin: 1 lb AI/ac
Insecticide — Mole Cricket
Fipronil (TopChoice) or Indoxacarb
June–July prime egg-hatch. Apply when nymph activity detected. TopChoice provides season-long control with one application.
TopChoice: 87 lbs/ac granule
Insecticide — Fall Armyworm
Spinosad (Conserve) or Chlorantraniliprole
Can devastate sod fields in days. Scout daily during peak periods. Treat at first sign of feeding — EARLY treatment critical.
Conserve: 6–10 oz/ac
Fungicide — Gray Leaf Spot
Trifloxystrobin (Compass) or Pyraclostrobin
Gray leaf spot is the #1 summer disease in FL St. Augustine. Thrives in heat + humidity. Looks like cigarette burns. Preventive program essential.
Compass: 0.25–0.5 oz/ac · Every 14–21 days
Fungicide — Take All Root Rot
Azoxystrobin + Propiconazole (Headway)
Warm wet summer conditions favor TARR. Yellowing patches that don't respond to fertilizer. Apply at first symptoms. Maintain pH above 6.0.
Headway: 2–3 fl oz/ac · 14–28 day intervals
Irrigation
Rainy Season Monitoring
Reduce supplemental irrigation. Use rain sensors and ET-based controllers. Overwatering promotes gray leaf spot and root rot.
Supplement only to reach 1.0–1.5"/week total
🍂 FallSeptember — November · Wind-Down / Prep for Dormancy
Fertilizer — Fall K Application
Low-N, High-K Fall Program
Reduce N by mid-October. Boost potassium to harden sod for winter. Final N app no later than Oct 1 in Hardee County per BMP.
0-0-50 or K-Mag: 30–50 lbs K2O/ac
Herbicide — Pre-emergent
Atrazine (September application)
Apply Sept/Oct for winter annual weed control — annual bluegrass (Poa annua), chickweed, henbit. Most important pre-em application of the year.
2–4 qt/ac · Combined 4 qt/ac annual max
Fungicide — Brown Patch
Thiophanate-methyl + Iprodione (Chipco)
Brown patch severe in fall when nights cool (60–75°F) but days stay warm/humid. Large circular brown patches. Apply preventively Sept–Oct.
Chipco: 4–8 oz/ac · 14–21 day intervals
Cultural Practice
Harvest Planning + Field Renovation
Complete harvest of mature sections before November. Renovate harvested fields: deep-till, lime if needed, re-plug or sprig.
Plan replanting for spring establishment
Cultural Practice
Equipment Maintenance & Records
Service all equipment before winter. Update pesticide application records (required by FL law). Review BMP and NMP compliance.
Annual requirement — keep 3+ years of records
Irrigation
Taper Down for Fall
Gradually reduce irrigation as ET drops. Target 0.5–1.0"/week by November. Avoid late afternoon/evening irrigation to minimize Brown Patch risk.
0.5–1.0"/week · Taper through November
Application Log
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🌿 Herbicide
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🐛 Pesticide/Insecticide
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✂️ Cultural
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Photo Analysis
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🌾Agronomic Assessment
Seasonal Alerts & FL-Specific Tips
Critical reminders for sod production in Hardee County, FL based on current conditions and common issues in the region.
⚠️ Critical — Chinch Bug
Southern Chinch Bug: #1 Threat to St. Augustine Sod
Blissus insularis is endemic to Florida and can destroy entire sections within days during hot weather. Implement a weekly flotation cup scouting program (June–October). Threshold: 25 bugs/sq ft. Rotate insecticide modes of action each application to prevent resistance.
⚠️ Critical — Gray Leaf Spot
Gray Leaf Spot: #1 Disease in Florida St. Augustine
Pyricularia grisea thrives in FL summer heat/humidity and can cause severe stand loss. High N fertility + heat stress dramatically increases susceptibility. Begin preventive fungicide program in May. Rotate between QoI (strobilurin) and DMI (triazole) fungicides.
⚠️ Warning — Florida BMP Compliance
Nutrient Management Plan Required
Florida's BMP guidelines require a written Nutrient Management Plan and annual record-keeping for all fertilizer applications. Hardee County is within the Lake Okeechobee watershed — nutrient loading restrictions apply. Contact UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County (863-773-2164). The Application Log in this app can support your record-keeping requirements.
⚠️ Warning — Atrazine Limits
Atrazine Annual Rate Limit: 4 qt/ac/year
Do not exceed 4 quarts per acre per year. Two applications (Sept and Dec) of 2 qt/ac each maximize effectiveness within limits. Atrazine is a restricted-use pesticide in Florida — requires licensed applicator.
ℹ️ Info — Mole Cricket
Tawny Mole Cricket Peak Season: May–August
Zolfo Springs / Hardee County has significant tawny mole cricket pressure. Apply TopChoice (fipronil) in April–June for season-long control. Licensed professionals only. Water in with 0.5" irrigation immediately after application.
ℹ️ Info — Take All Root Rot
TARR Increasing in Sandy FL Soils
Gaeumannomyces graminis var. graminis causes TARR — looks like nutrient deficiency but doesn't respond to fertilizer. Maintain soil pH above 6.0 and reduce irrigation at first sign. Apply azoxystrobin or propiconazole. Look for short, dark, rotted roots.
ℹ️ Info — Harvest Quality
Sod Strength / Harvest Timing Tips
St. Augustine sod in FL is typically harvest-ready 12–18 months after planting. Increase K applications 6–8 weeks before planned harvest to improve sod strength and reduce tearing. Harvest early morning when temperatures are cool.
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