Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Wednesday - July 18, 2012

From: Little Rock, AR
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Problems for non-native St. Augustine grass from Little Rock AR
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

We sodded St. Augustine grass four weeks ago. For the first three weeks we had no rain and temperatures over 100 degrees. We have watered 20 minutes twice a day since installation. There are brown patches throughout the grass that were on two corners initially. What can be the cause of these patches and the possible solution? Thank you

ANSWER:

Unfortunately, this is not the right place to come to for a question on St. Augustine grass. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to the growth, protection and propagation of plants native not only to North America (St. Augustine is a tropical originating in Africa) but to the areas in which those plants are being grown. We are going to link you to some sites on St. Augustine that will hopefully answer your questions.

University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service St. Augustine Grass

Same source Choosing a Grass for Arkansas Lawns

 

 

More Grasses or Grass-like Questions

Landscaping suggestions for small yard in Alexandria, VA
April 20, 2008 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants, My husband and I are preparing to till up most of our back yard and redo it. I'd like to use native plants, but am open to cultivars of them (as in, a column-shaped Ilex glabra...
view the full question and answer

Removing bermudagrass from buffalograss in Smithville TX
May 01, 2013 - I have a lawn created two years ago with buffalo grass sod in Smithville, TX. Recently several areas of bermudagrass have started to flourish in the buffalo grass lawn. Can you recommend a herbicide...
view the full question and answer

Plants for a sandy slope at a weekend cabin in central WI.
June 30, 2009 - I have a cabin in central Wisconsin where the soil is equivalent to a sandy beach. There are some areas that are nearly impossible to mow because of how steep the incline is. Could you recommend som...
view the full question and answer

Restoring the woods in Central Austin.
May 08, 2012 - I live in Austin, south central between Red Bud trail close to the low water bridge and Bee Caves road. My question: I want to make the wooded sections of my yard attractive. They have filtered sun...
view the full question and answer

Difference between Pseudoroegneria spicata and Elymus trachycaulus
May 21, 2007 - What is the difference between Pseudoroegneria spicata and Elymus trachycaulus.
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.