Question
QUESTION: I live near the River(Brackish)and the Ocean.In Daytona Beach Fl.We have St.Aus.Grass.Inoticed my Grass turning brown .I had the Water tested at a local Pool Store.They said it contained Salt I believe he said 15 I'm not sure if thats per.Million? What is the acceptable level?

ANSWER: Bruce:

Neither am I sure what an index of 15 means.  In a soil analysis, the index reported is explained in the footnotes, usually mmhos (millimhos, a measure of electrical conductance.)

Some salts are expected in soil.  Most plants in the coastal regions will tolerate moderate salts.  St. Augustine is noted for its salt tolerance, high temperature tolerance, and low fertilizer requirements.  It does like a neutral soil.

If your soil is wet all the time, St. Aug. may not do well, though it responds well to irrigation.  Iron deficiency is common.  Insects which cause problems are chinch bugs, white grubs, sod webworms, and ground pearls.  MOst St. Aug. diseases are fungal.  Mowing height is high for summer grasses, 2.0 to 3.0 inches.

If you have the ideal soil and location for St.Aug., I would consider the effects of the drought suffered on the east coast this summer, pests, or disease.  Though the salt index seems at the upper limit, it may not be fatal.

I would recommend a soil test and a plant tissue analysis from your local ag agent or state university.  Pay attention, also, to pests in your lawn in their season, fall for chinch bugs, grubs in growing season, etc.  I would further recommend the use of a high quality compost for topdressing, as it provides a buffer from salt, fungus resistance and slow release of nutrients.  Apply at 3/8 inch over the lawn area.

If your lawn turned brown this winter, it is probably the normal dormancy response for cold temperatures.  Did Daytona receive temps of freezing or below in the last cold spell?

This is the best I can do with the information presented.  I trust that the recommendations are helpful.  Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Would an Iron Deficiency or P.H. poblemm Show up all of a sudden ? Right now my yard is the only one in the block that has turned Brown.Thr Neighbor Two Houses down had to have his well replaced because of Salt.It's not patchy like Bugs It's the whole lawn

Answer
Bruce:

If your area had the same drought conditions as the rest of the east coast, such a stress could cause the deficiency to show itself.  The easy solution would be to correct pH of an iron deficiency.

Have a soil sample and a plant tissue analysis done before assuming that the well is bad.  If they both indicate that salt is too high for St. Augustine, then install a new well.

What is the depth of your well compared to the others on the block?  It is, maybe, more shallow than the others and susceptible to salt intrusion.

Compost will grant you a buffer against diseases, provide nutrients for a long period, and increase drought stress tolerance in the plants.  it will also bring pH higher over time.

Best wishes.