Floratam St. Augustine Lime-Green Color: Seasonal or Hunger?

Floratam showing lime-green patches 2 years post-fungus renovation. Concern: prevent recurrence.

Likely Causes

• Seasonal color shift: Normal in warm-season grass transitions
• Nutrient hunger: Organic fertilizer boost restores deep green
• pH imbalance: High pH locks up iron (common in FL)
• Early disease: Monitor for brown patch, take-all root rot

Action Plan

1. Soil test (county extension) — reveals pH, nutrients
2. Apply organic fertilizer (Milorganite, composted manure) — slow, steady green-up
3. Iron supplement if pH >7.0 — chelated iron or Ironite
4. Watch for brown — if patches brown, investigate disease

Fungus Prevention

• Mow 3.5-4" (never lower)
• Water early morning only, 3/4-1" per week
• Avoid nitrogen overload (synthetic fertilizers)
• Annual compost topdressing builds disease-suppressive soil

Lime-green ≠ disaster. Test, feed organically, monitor. Your vigilance prevents 2021 repeat.