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Florida’s most popular lawn is St. Augustinegrass – a favorite for producing a lush green to dense blue-green turf well-adapted to most soils and regions throughout the state. But in South Florida, a silent killer known as Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVN) is taking over St. Augustinegrass in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and other  counties. The [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_34273" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34273" style="width: 329px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class=" wp-image-34273" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2023/01/St-Augustinegrass-with-LVN-Courtesy-Henry-Mayer-225x300.jpg" alt="Iage - St-Augustinegrass-with-LVN-Courtesy-Henry-Mayer." width="329" height="439" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34273" class="wp-caption-text">St. Augustinegrass with LVN. Photo courtesy Henry Mayer.</figcaption></figure>
Florida’s most popular lawn is St. Augustinegrass – a favorite for producing a lush green to dense blue-green turf well-adapted to most soils and regions throughout the state.
But in South Florida, a silent killer known as <a href="http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/2019/01/14/lethal-viral-necrosis-associated-with-sugarcane-mosaic-virus-scmv-frequently-asked-questions/">Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVN)</a> is taking over <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/lh010">St. Augustinegrass</a> in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and other  counties. The disease leaves lawns with dead or yellowish patches and dead spots streaking on leaf blades and requires expensive resodding in many cases if not controlled.
On February 7, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a free webinar from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to address the problem plaguing lawns and in hopes of controlling the spread. UF/IFAS scientists and Extension agents will provide the latest information about the spread of the virus, detecting its signs, how and where to test for the virus , what to do about replacing the damaged turf and keeping the virus from spreading.
The webinar is designed for an open to the general public, landscapers, cities, pest control companies and homeowners associations impacted by this disease. Continuing education credits (CEU) are also available for pest control and landscape industry professionals. To participate, register at <a href="https://go.ufl.edu/p6hxevr">https://go.ufl.edu/p6hxevr</a> to gain access to the webinar.
“There are no pesticide treatments that can prevent or cure this fatal disease,” said <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/author/hmayer/">Henry Mayer</a>, a commercial horticulture agent at UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County. “Residents and community associations have already spent millions of dollars in sod replacements.”
UF/IFAS experts will be on hand to answer audience questions during the Zoom webinar. <a href="https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/people/faculty-pages/phil-harmon/">Phil Harmon</a>, a UF/IFAS plant pathology professor specializing in turfgrasses will discuss the general characteristics of the disease and the latest research updates. Kara Krueger, an environmental horticulture agent, <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/author/jroberts/">John Roberts</a>, a commercial horticulture agent from UF/IFAS Palm Beach County, and Mayer will discuss the disease’s prevalence and its impacts in South Florida.  The speakers will answer questions from the public.
For inquiries on the webinar or CEUs, please contact John Roberts at <a href="mailto:jwr.09@ufl.edu">jwr.09@ufl.edu</a> or Mayer at <a href="mailto:hmayer@ufl.edu">hmayer@ufl.edu</a>.
For additional resources on the virus, reach out to your local UF IFAS County Extension offices:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/broward/">UF/IFAS Extension Broward County</a> (954) 756-8519</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/miami-dade">UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County</a> (305) 248-3311</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/palm-beach/">UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County</a> (561) 233-1748</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Henry Mayer, para información en español, <a href="mailto:hmayer@ufl.edu">hmayer@ufl.edu</a>.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
###
By Lourdes Mederos, <a href="mailto:rodriguezl@ufl.edu">rodriguezl@ufl.edu</a>
&nbsp;
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>

St. Augustinegrass with LVN. Photo courtesy Henry Mayer.
Florida’s most popular lawn is St. Augustinegrass – a favorite for producing a lush green to dense blue-green turf well-adapted to most soils and regions throughout the state.
But in South Florida, a silent killer known as Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVN) is taking over St. Augustinegrass in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and other  counties. The disease leaves lawns with dead or yellowish patches and dead spots streaking on leaf blades and requires expensive resodding in many cases if not controlled.
On February 7, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a free webinar from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to address the problem plaguing lawns and in hopes of controlling the spread. UF/IFAS scientists and Extension agents will provide the latest information about the spread of the virus, detecting its signs, how and where to test for the virus , what to do about replacing the damaged turf and keeping the virus from spreading.
The webinar is designed for an open to the general public, landscapers, cities, pest control companies and homeowners associations impacted by this disease. Continuing education credits (CEU) are also available for pest control and landscape industry professionals. To participate, register at https://go.ufl.edu/p6hxevr to gain access to the webinar.
“There are no pesticide treatments that can prevent or cure this fatal disease,” said Henry Mayer, a commercial horticulture agent at UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County. “Residents and community associations have already spent millions of dollars in sod replacements.”
UF/IFAS experts will be on hand to answer audience questions during the Zoom webinar. Phil Harmon, a UF/IFAS plant pathology professor specializing in turfgrasses will discuss the general characteristics of the disease and the latest research updates. Kara Krueger, an environmental horticulture agent, John Roberts, a commercial horticulture agent from UF/IFAS Palm Beach County, and Mayer will discuss the disease’s prevalence and its impacts in South Florida.  The speakers will answer questions from the public.
For inquiries on the webinar or CEUs, please contact John Roberts at jwr.09@ufl.edu or Mayer at hmayer@ufl.edu.
For additional resources on the virus, reach out to your local UF IFAS County Extension offices:
UF/IFAS Extension Broward County (954) 756-8519
 
UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County (305) 248-3311
 
UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County (561) 233-1748
 
Henry Mayer, para información en español, hmayer@ufl.edu.
 
###
By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
 
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

Florida’s most popular lawn is St. Augustinegrass – a favorite for producing a lush green to dense blue-green turf well-adapted to most soils and regions throughout the state. But in South Florida, a silent killer known as Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVN) is taking over St. Augustinegrass in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and other  counties. The […]

February 7: Free UF/IFAS Extension webinar to provide updates on silent killer of St. Augustinegrass

One of the most common summer weeds we see in lawns in Florida is crabgrass. This grass really stands out with its spreading habit away from a center point, growing over the lawn, and is often hairy. There are actually a few different varieties of this grass, but most often the question is what do [&#8230;]

One of the most common summer weeds we see in lawns in Florida is crabgrass. This grass really stands out with its spreading habit away from a center point, growing over the lawn, and is often hairy. There are actually a few different varieties of this grass, but most often the question is what do I do to stop it?
That question is not the easiest to answer. You will not find an herbicide that will control active Crabgrass that is also safe for your St. Augustinegrass lawn. When it is actively growing, hand pull if you can or use a non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate or glufosinate as a spot treatment. Remember that these products will also kill St. Augustinegrass so they should be used sparingly.
<figure id="attachment_1561" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1561" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2021/06/crabgrass2.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-1561 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2021/06/crabgrass2-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1561" class="wp-caption-text">Crabgrass growing in turf. UF/IFAS Photo.</figcaption></figure>
The time to control Crabgrass for the year, is actually much earlier in the season. Apply a pre-emergent product for crabgrass before March 1st (in Northeast Florida) to form a protective barrier to stop the grass seedlings from growing. A list of active ingredients to look for can be found at <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep395">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep395</a> . Be sure that any product is labeled as safe for St. Augustinegrass, as some &#8220;Southern Lawn&#8221; safe products are not. With any herbicide, read the products label for purchasing and applying and follow all directions and precautions.
Do not apply this crabgrass control as part of a combination product, such as &#8220;weed and feed&#8221;. In late February when you should apply the herbicide, it is way too early for fertilizer. Wait until April 15th (in Northeast Florida) to apply any turf fertilizers.
If you need help with this, or any weed, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office. In Clay County, call (904)284-6355 or email <a href="mailto:IF-SVC-Clay-MG@ufl.edu">IF-SVC-Clay-MG@ufl.edu</a>. For a directory of Extension Offices in your area, see <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/">https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/</a>
&nbsp;

One of the most common summer weeds we see in lawns in Florida is crabgrass.  This grass really stands out with its spreading habit away from a center point, growing over the lawn, and is often hairy.  There are actually a few different varieties of this grass, but most often the question is what do I do to stop it?
That question is not the easiest to answer.  You will not find an herbicide that will control active Crabgrass that is also safe for your St. Augustinegrass lawn.  When it is actively growing, hand pull if you can or use a non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate or glufosinate as a spot treatment.  Remember that these products will also kill St. Augustinegrass so they should be used sparingly.
Crabgrass growing in turf. UF/IFAS Photo.
The time to control Crabgrass for the year, is actually much earlier in the season.  Apply a pre-emergent product for crabgrass before March 1st (in Northeast Florida) to form a protective barrier to stop the grass seedlings from growing.  A list of active ingredients to look for can be found at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ep395 .  Be sure that any product is labeled as safe for St. Augustinegrass, as some “Southern Lawn” safe products are not.  With any herbicide, read the products label for purchasing and applying and follow all directions and precautions.
Do not apply this crabgrass control as part of a combination product, such as “weed and feed”.  In late February when you should apply the herbicide, it is way too early for fertilizer.  Wait until April 15th (in Northeast Florida) to apply any turf fertilizers.
If you need help with this, or any weed, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension office.  In Clay County, call (904)284-6355 or email IF-SVC-Clay-MG@ufl.edu.  For a directory of Extension Offices in your area, see https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/

One of the most common summer weeds we see in lawns in Florida is crabgrass. This grass really stands out with its spreading habit away from a center point, growing over the lawn, and is often hairy. There are actually a few different varieties of this grass, but most often the question is what do […]

Crabgrass in St. Augustinegrass Lawns

Turfgrass can be tricky in Florida and at times, you may find some thin spots in your yard that you would like to improve. Originally coming from the Northeast, I remember throwing out some Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass seed to accomplish this but, being Florida, it&#8217;s not that simple here. Specifically, we do get [&#8230;]

Turfgrass can be tricky in Florida and at times, you may find some thin spots in your yard that you would like to improve. Originally coming from the Northeast, I remember throwing out some Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass seed to accomplish this but, being Florida, it&#8217;s not that simple here. Specifically, we do get questions at times as to where you can find St. Augustinegrass seed and you will find that if you go shopping in-person or online, this product simply does not exist.
<h5>Why is that?</h5>
Basically, St. Augustinegrass varieties do not produce enough seed heads to be a viable option. This actually preferred for your lawn so you don&#8217;t get ugly seed heads in your lawn all summer. If you are looking to plant St. Augustinegrass, you are stuck using either sod or plugs. This is also true for some cultivars of other turfgrass varieties as well.
One tip is that if you don&#8217;t want to shell out money for your plugs to plant in your thin areas, make your own. Cut small sections of either purchased sod or take some from other areas of your lawn. Take from healthy areas of your yard that are a bit out of sight but be sure to leave enough roots. Plant these is the thin areas, provide water to keep the soil moist through the first few months and watch them fill in.
For more information about St. Augustinegrass see <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/lh010">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/lh010</a> or to get help on how to best establish your Florida lawn, visit <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH013">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH013</a> . With questions, an UF/IFAS Extension agent is never far away in your county. To find your nearest Extension office, visit <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/">https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/</a> .

Turfgrass can be tricky in Florida and at times, you may find some thin spots in your yard that you would like to improve.  Originally coming from the Northeast, I remember throwing out some Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass seed to accomplish this but, being Florida, it’s not that simple here.  Specifically, we do get questions at times as to where you can find St. Augustinegrass seed and you will find that if you go shopping in-person or online, this product simply does not exist.
Why is that?
Basically, St. Augustinegrass varieties do not produce enough seed heads to be a viable option.   This actually preferred for your lawn so you don’t get ugly seed heads in your lawn all summer.  If you are looking to plant St. Augustinegrass, you are stuck using either sod or plugs.  This is also true for some cultivars of other turfgrass varieties as well.
One tip is that if you don’t want to shell out money for your plugs to plant in your thin areas, make your own.  Cut small sections of either purchased sod or take some from other areas of your lawn.  Take from healthy areas of your yard that are a bit out of sight but be sure to leave enough roots.  Plant these is the thin areas, provide water to keep the soil moist through the first few months and watch them fill in.
For more information about St. Augustinegrass see https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/lh010 or to get help on how to best establish your Florida lawn, visit https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/LH013 .  With questions, an UF/IFAS Extension agent is never far away in your county.  To find your nearest Extension office, visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/  .

Turfgrass can be tricky in Florida and at times, you may find some thin spots in your yard that you would like to improve. Originally coming from the Northeast, I remember throwing out some Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass seed to accomplish this but, being Florida, it’s not that simple here. Specifically, we do get […]

St. Augustinegrass Seed?  Can’t buy that.

Poaceae

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St. Augustinegrass for Lawns

The southern chinch bug is the most important insect pest of St. Augustinegrass in Florida, but may also feed on other turfgrasses and weeds. Adults are about 3/16 inch long and are black with white patches on the wings. The young (nymphs) range from 1/16 inch long to nearly adult size. Small nymphs are reddish-orange with a white band across the back, but older nymphs and adults have black bodies. They live in the thatch and suck fluids from the crowns, stems and stolons with their needle-like mouthparts. Infested
grass turns yellow, then a burnt-reddish color, and dies. Chinch bugs tend to feed in groups, so dead patches of grass appear and seem to get larger as the insects spread through the grass. Severe damage tends to occur from March through November in southern Florida and from April through October in northern Florida.

Southern Chinch Bug

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Mancha gris de la hoja/Mancha foliar por Cercospora.

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A healthy lawn increases the value of a property, reduces soil erosion, cools the air, and reduces glare and noise. It also filters and traps sediment and pollutants that could otherwise contaminate surface waters and groundwater.

St. Augustinegrass

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Gray Leaf Spot of St. Augustinegrass: Cultural and Chemical Management Options

Mosaic Disease of St. Augustinegrass Caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus

St. Augustinegrass for Florida Lawns

Related IFAS Blog Posts

February 7: Free UF/IFAS Extension webinar to provide updates on silent killer of St. Augustinegrass

Crabgrass in St. Augustinegrass Lawns

St. Augustinegrass Seed? Can’t buy that.

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