1. Master the Art of Watering in Sarasota’s Climate

Understanding Sarasota’s Water Restrictions

Sarasota County currently operates under Year-Round Water Conservation Measures, which means:

• Watering is limited to two days per week
• Recommended watering times: Midnight to 8 AM
• No watering during rainfall

Pro Tip: Install a smart irrigation controller that automatically adjusts to rainfall and local restrictions. Many Sarasota homeowners qualify for rebates through the Sarasota County Water Conservation Program.

Optimal Watering Techniques

• St. Augustine Grass: ¾ inch of water per session
• Zoysia Grass: ½ inch of water per session
• Bahiagrass: 1 inch of water every 10-14 days

Signs You’re Overwatering:
✓ Fungus growth
✓ Shallow root systems
✓ Increased weed pressure

Signs You’re Underwatering:
✓ Grass blades folding lengthwise
✓ Blue-gray tint to lawn
✓ Footprints remain visible

2. Choose the Right Fertilizer Schedule for Sarasota Soils

Sarasota’s sandy soils require special attention to maintain proper nutrient levels. Here’s our recommended fertilization timeline:

Spring (March-May)

• Apply 15-0-15 slow-release fertilizer
• Include micronutrients (especially iron for green color)
• Time application before rainy season begins

Summer (June-September)

• Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers (county blackout period)
• Use 0-0-22 potassium boost to strengthen against heat stress
• Apply iron supplement for color without growth spurts

Fall (October-November)

• Transition to 8-0-24 winterizer formula
• Add mycorrhizal fungi to build root resilience

Winter (December-February)

• Light feeding only (5-10-30 formula)
• Focus on soil health with organic amendments

Important: Always follow Sarasota County’s fertilizer ordinance to protect our waterways.

3. Implement Smart Mowing Practices

Ideal Mowing Heights for Sarasota Grasses

Grass Type	Dry Season Height	Wet Season Height
St. Augustine	3.5-4 inches	4-4.5 inches
Zoysia	2-2.5 inches	2.5-3 inches
Bahiagrass	3-4 inches	4-5 inches

Pro Tips:
✓ Never remove more than ⅓ of the blade length at once
✓ Keep mower blades razor-sharp to prevent tearing
✓ Alternate mowing directions to prevent soil compaction

Special Considerations for Coastal Homes

If you live near Siesta Key or Lido Beach:

• Raise cutting height by ½ inch to protect from salt spray
• Rinse clippings off sidewalks to prevent salt accumulation
• Schedule extra dethatching in spring (salt accelerates buildup)

4. Develop a Proactive Pest Management Plan

Common Sarasota Lawn Pests

Chinch Bugs

• Signs: Yellow patches that spread quickly
• Treatment: Bifenthrin application (May-July)

Armyworms

• Signs: Sudden brown areas with visible caterpillars
• Treatment: Spinosad (safe for pets and wildlife)

Mole Crickets

• Signs: Spongy soil with visible tunnels
• Treatment: Imidacloprid in early summer

Prevention Strategy:
✓ Maintain proper mowing height
✓ Avoid excess nitrogen
✓ Encourage beneficial nematodes

5. Prepare for Hurricane Season Like a Pro

Pre-Storm Lawn Prep

1. Mow High: Leave grass at upper height limit
2. Clear Debris: Remove all potential projectiles
3. Apply Potassium Boost: Strengthens cell walls

Post-Storm Recovery

• Saltwater Flooding: Rinse with fresh water within 48 hours
• Debris Removal: Use plastic rakes to avoid turf damage
• Disease Prevention: Apply fungicide if standing water lasted >24 hours

Sarasota-Specific Tip: The City of Sarasota offers free sandbags before storms—place them strategically to divert floodwaters from your lawn.

Why Sarasota Homeowners Trust Hudson Ranch

With over 20 years serving Sarasota County, we offer:

✅ Locally-grown sod adapted to our climate
✅ Free lawn evaluations with customized care plans
✅ Storm recovery assistance with priority scheduling

Recent Sarasota Projects Include:

• Siesta Key luxury homes (salt-resistant sod installations)
• The Oaks Club (fairway-quality zoysia)
• Palmer Ranch communities (HOA maintenance programs)

Contact our Sarasota lawn experts today for personalized advice!

Frequently Asked Questions: Sarasota Lawn Care Edition

Q1: How often should I aerate my Sarasota lawn, and what’s the best method?

A: In Sarasota’s compacted sandy soils, we recommend:

• Coastal homes (within 3 miles of beach): Aerate every April using a core aerator that removes 3-4″ plugs. The salt content accelerates soil compaction.
• Inland properties (Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch): Aerate every 2 years in early May before rainy season.
• Best Practice: Follow aeration with 1/4″ compost topdressing to fill holes with organic matter. Avoid spike aerators – they worsen compaction in our soil type.

Pro Tip: The UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension offers free aeration clinics every March at Twin Lakes Park.

Q2: What’s the ideal grass for homes with dogs in Sarasota County?

A: For pet owners, we recommend:

1. Empire Zoysia (Best Overall)
   • Handles urine spots better than St. Augustine
   • Requires only 6 mowings/year
   • Self-repairs quickly from digging
2. Floratam St. Augustine (Budget Option)
   • Apply Dog Spot Treatment (available at Sarasota Lawn & Garden) monthly
   • Install pea gravel “potty zones” in corners

Critical Care Tips:

• Rinse urine within 2 hours to prevent burns
• Apply gypsum quarterly to neutralize salts
• Keep nails trimmed to reduce turf damage

Q3: Can I overseed my warm-season lawn with ryegrass in winter?

A: While possible, we advise against overseeding for Sarasota homeowners because:

• Root Competition: Ryegrass competes with permanent grass roots during spring transition
• Disease Risk: Increases brown patch fungus likelihood by 40%
• Water Conflict: Violates Sarasota’s winter watering restrictions

Better Alternatives:
✓ Apply iron sulfate for winter color without growth
✓ Use liquid seaweed every 3 weeks for greening
✓ Mow at highest setting to maintain photosynthesis

Q4: My St. Augustine has circular brown patches – is this brown patch fungus?

A: Here’s how to diagnose common Sarasota lawn diseases:

Symptom	Likely Cause	Treatment
Circular brown spots with smoky edges	Brown Patch Fungus	Heritage G fungicide + reduce watering
Orange powder on blades	Rust Fungus	Propiconazole + nitrogen boost
Irregular yellow areas	Take-All Root Rot	Azoxystrobin + compost tea

Sarasota-Specific Tip: Fungal outbreaks peak July-September. Begin preventative treatments in June if you’re near Phillippi Creek or other high-humidity zones.

Q5: How do I protect my lawn during Sarasota’s fertilizer blackout (June 1-Sept 30)?

A: Stay compliant while maintaining lawn health with these strategies:

Allowed Applications:

• Iron supplements (creates green color without growth)
• Potassium (0-0-22 strengthens against heat stress)
• Seaweed extracts (micronutrients)

Blackout Period Toolkit:

1. Early June: Apply slow-release potassium
2. Mid-July: Spray liquid iron + seaweed
3. Late August: Use humic acid to enhance nutrient uptake

Note: The City of Sarasota conducts random inspections with $500 fines for violations.

Q6: What’s causing the yellow streaks in my Lakewood Ranch lawn?

A: This is typically iron chlorosis from our alkaline soils. Treatment protocol:

1. Soil Test (free at UF/IFAS extension)
2. Immediate Fix: Chelated iron spray (lasts 2-3 weeks)
3. Long-Term Solution:
   • Apply sulfur (1lb/100sq ft) to lower pH
   • Use iron sulfate (3oz/gallon) monthly
   • Switch to Bitterblue St. Augustine (more acid-tolerant)

Warning: Don’t confuse with chinch bug damage – check for insects at the yellow/brown edge interface.

Q7: How should hurricane prep differ for coastal vs inland Sarasota lawns?

A: Location-specific storm prep:

Coastal (Siesta Key, Lido Shores):
✓ Apply gypsum (20lbs/1000sq ft) 1 week before storm
✓ Install temporary wind netting (available at Sarasota Ace Hardware)
✓ Mow to 4″ height to prevent windburn

Inland (Lakewood Ranch, Bee Ridge):
✓ Focus on drainage – grade away from foundation
✓ Apply potassium boost (0-0-24) to strengthen roots
✓ Store 5 extra sod plugs for quick repairs

Post-Storm: The Sarasota County Extension offers free lawn damage assessments.

Q8: Why does my Bahiagrass look thin near my driveway?

A: This is heat stress exacerbation from radiant concrete heat. Solutions:

1. Immediate:
   • Install shade cloth (30% density) from April-October
   • Hand-water these areas 2x/week (exemption to restrictions)
2. Permanent:
   • Replace with Seville St. Augustine (more shade tolerant)
   • Create gravel buffer zone 12″ from pavement
   • Apply thermoprotectant spray (like Hydretain) monthly

Q9: Where can I see different grass varieties growing locally?

A: Visit these Sarasota demonstration sites:

1. Hudson Ranch Display Garden (UTC area)
   • All 7 Sarasota-approved varieties
   • Side-by-side comparison plots
2. Payne Park (downtown Sarasota)
   • St. Augustine vs Zoysia test areas
   • Water conservation demonstration
3. Celery Fields (east Sarasota)
   • Native grass alternatives
   • Drought-tolerant landscaping

Tour Tip: The Sarasota Garden Club offers guided tours every 2nd Saturday.

Q10: How do I transition my lawn to more drought-tolerant grass?

A: Phase conversion over 2 years:

Year 1: Preparation

• Test soil (adjust pH to 6.5-7.0)
• Begin deep/infrequent watering training
• Gradually reduce fertilizer

Year 2: Conversion

• Spring: Kill existing grass with glyphosate
• Summer: Install Empire Zoysia sod
• Fall: Apply mycorrhizal inoculant

Cost-Saving Tip: Sarasota County offers $1/sq ft rebates for water-wise turf conversions.