Reviving St. Augustine in San Antonio: Soaker Hoses, Sugar, and Plugs

Skip the sprinkler system. In Texas heat, sprinklers lose 50%+ to evaporation. Use soaker hoses: lay against foundation, run until runoff, soak 1 hour, repeat until 6-inch depth. Move hoses in sections. Total watering <1 hour/week.

Soil Building

• Alfalfa meal (feed store) — broadcast several bags.
• Lava sand (Walmart/nurseries) — mineral-rich.
• Sugar — 1 lb/250 sq ft (4 lbs/1,000 sq ft). Water deeply after.

Repairing Bare Areas

Loosen soil, plant St. Augustine plugs (cut nursery pads into 6 pieces), cover lightly with soil, keep wet. St. Augustine tolerates wet conditions.

Organic Payoff

Rich soil = no weeds, no pests. Toads, lizards, snakes control insects. Author (72, 80% disabled) maintains lawn with <1 hour watering/week. Safe for kids/pets immediately.

Rock Problem

If subsurface rocks are small, pile them, cover with soil, plant a rock garden. Large rocks: build a retaining wall or accept they'll heat soil.