To water or not to water? (Spring: renter, HOA, house)

[Indigoblue]

So after a very traumatic bidding war this summer (that went badly for us) we decided to rent for a year then revisit the whole house buying thing. Our rental house has St Augustine grass and when we got here a significant portion of it was dead, including all of the newer sod that was planted before we got here (not sure when). I spoke to someone at the Home Depot lawn section and he said it was not worth watering the grass at this point in the year. To cut it very very short and get up all the dead stuff (like with a mulch mower or with a rake), then in the Spring rake it with fill dirt, fertilize it, and start watering then. When I communicated this to the owners, they said that they had been paying someone to water it, that their neighbors told them it doesn't look that bad, and that their realtor said that in their opinion it would spring back to life in one or two waterings.

The owners are out of state and unable to see their grass but I did send them photos and particularly in the side and back yards it is very 100% dead. Even the front yard which isn't quite as extensively dead looks far worse when compared to neighbors' yards. This is a neighborhood with an HOA that cares about grass appearance so effort does have to be put in at some point. But I don't want to water a yard without a sprinkler system if it would truly be a waste of time and money as the Home Depot lawn person suggested. It's been raining on it this week and it has not sprung magically back to life where dead, though the live parts are taller of course Any thoughts? Not sure how to proceed to best keep HOA, owners, grass, and us happy

[Weatherguy]

Originally Posted by Indigoblue

So after a very traumatic bidding war this summer (that went badly for us) we decided to rent for a year then revisit the whole house buying thing. Our rental house has St Augustine grass and when we got here a significant portion of it was dead, including all of the newer sod that was planted before we got here (not sure when). I spoke to someone at the Home Depot lawn section and he said it was not worth watering the grass at this point in the year. To cut it very very short and get up all the dead stuff (like with a mulch mower or with a rake), then in the Spring rake it with fill dirt, fertilize it, and start watering then. When I communicated this to the owners, they said that they had been paying someone to water it, that their neighbors told them it doesn't look that bad, and that their realtor said that in their opinion it would spring back to life in one or two waterings.

The owners are out of state and unable to see their grass but I did send them photos and particularly in the side and back yards it is very 100% dead. Even the front yard which isn't quite as extensively dead looks far worse when compared to neighbors' yards. This is a neighborhood with an HOA that cares about grass appearance so effort does have to be put in at some point. But I don't want to water a yard without a sprinkler system if it would truly be a waste of time and money as the Home Depot lawn person suggested. It's been raining on it this week and it has not sprung magically back to life where dead, though the live parts are taller of course Any thoughts? Not sure how to proceed to best keep HOA, owners, grass, and us happy

Sure looks like whoever was paid to water the grass didn't do it. St. Augustine does just fine in this heat if it's watered pretty well at least once a week. Of course it won't be lush looking in the heat but will survive. Once it's completely brown, it will never come back, and weeds will fill in next spring. Looks like the owner has been taken to the cleaners by the paid waterer.

[love roses]

I agree with weatherguy. We listen to John Drumgool (spelled it wrong probably) on the weekends, and he said St. Augustine is not a good grass to have in dry spells. I doubt an out of state owner probably even knows this, or they've been taken for a ride. It needs to be replaced in the parts that have died.

[HappyTexan]

If you're worried about the HOA you can get some rye seed and that will green up the lawn over the winter. Go for cereal rye and keep it mowed so it won't go to seed.
Then come spring do the sod thing.

[Trainwreck20]

Well, seeing as you are a new renter and no real knowledge of the owner, there are several things I would do:
- document the condition of the grass....it sounds like you have with pictures already, but I would make sure the owner has them via email (better record of when the pictures were taken)
- water the lawn on your schedule, but maybe not as much as you would healthy St. A. grass. It won't cost you that much and will only be about as much as Lance's potted plant on his front porch .

I assume that the HOA will contact the owner directly, so you shouldn't have to worry about them hasseling your, but I would not do ANYTHING that costs money or is not directly approved by the homeowner...you could end up owing for the replacement of the grass with new sod .

[tibbar]

I would water it. My neighbor didn't water his and I thought it and was all dead. Low and behold, he finally watered it once and then we got some rain. Now you wouldn't know it ever looked completely dead. As fast as that stuff sends out runners, dead spots fill in very well.

[Poltracker]

By the way...do NOT cut it short. During the summer, always cut St Augustine grass longer. I keep my mower set as high as possible. A shorter cut increases the heat stress, while a longer cut shades the roots and holds in moisture better. In the fall when it starts to cool and in the spring is when you keep it cut short. It is dormant pretty much in the winter.

[achtungpv]

Cutting St Augustine short is bad advice. It should be 3".

If you cut below 2" you will cut the grass crown (the white part). If the crown is cut the blade of grass dies.

[MJinAustin]

Agree with a lot of what has been said. Do not cut St Aug short. When you water, water less often and DEEP. Light multiple waterings are a waste of water. Deep waterings keep the roots healthy.

[Indigoblue]

Thank you for all the advice Just a note that when I spoke to the Home Depot person I didn't yet know what type of grass it was.

For those recommending watering, how long and how often should we water the grass? And how do these amounts change seasonally? Thanks We've never had to set about having a schedule for watering grass.