Native Plants

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.

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Thursday - June 04, 2009

From: Roma, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Diseases and Disorders
Title: Yellowing of St. Augustine grass in south Texas
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We live in deep south Texas, Roma, Texas to be precise and we have a problem with our San Augustine grass. In the spring its quite nice and green after a few weeks and one rain it is turning yellow.

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants realizes that you live a ways from Austin, but he suggests that you read the City of Austin's Grow Green Earth-Wise Guide to Lawn Problems. It is an excellent source for detailed descriptions, diagnoses, and treatments of ailing lawn grasses like Stenotaphrum secundatum (St. Augustine grass). It discusses symptoms and treatment of fungal diseases such as brown patch or take-all patch as well as insect pests such as chinch bugs or grubs.