Question
I have a st. augustine lawn that was brought back from the brink of death through painstaking 6 month process. Every thing was done to the letter and the results were great. However the automatic sprinkler system went out for 2 weeks during the worst heat(95-100 degrees every day)of the summer.  Almost all of the lawn died.  I need to know the most economical route for returning this lawn back to healthy.  Is peat moss a good amendment for promoting growth.

Answer
Hi Earl;
Deep watering is the best thing you can do for St. Augustine,
I always water to a depth of at least 6 inches, and I
DON'T use a sprinkler. they waste more water then goes on your lawn.
I use only soaker hoses. You couldn't pay me to install an automatic sprinkler system.
You can't control the watering well enough.
You want to water deeply to encourage a deep root system. This protects your grass from cold, heat and drought damage.
When the top two inches of soil are dry, there is still moisture down where the roots are, so your grass doesn't die out if you don't get it watered for a couple of days.
The most economical method of gardening is organics.
Except for new plants, and opotting soil and things that have nothing to do with a healthy lawn, I probably spend less than 100 dollars per year,plus the water bill, now. When I used chemicals, I spent about that every month plus the water bill, and only had a mediocre lawn, and spent all my time weeding, because i won't use weed killers.
Cats are sttracted to it, and will eat or drink it even stored in the garage. My neighbors have cats, and there are occasional strays around. I don't want to be responsible for an animal dieing that painful eath, so I always pulled or dug the weeds.
With the organics and deep watering, I have rich soil,. so weeds are not a problem. They like poor soil, and won't thrive in rich soil.
I have a healthy enviornment for lawn critters that eat all the harmful insects that are attracted to my lawn, and a perimeter of cedar bark mulch around the foundation of the house, each spring, keeps away termites.
Throw some sugar on your lawn ( I just broadcast it by hand) at a ratio of 1 pound per sq.ft. of lawn. that will nourish the beneficial microbes that will work round the clock enriching your soil. Water it in well.
Untill your grass is thick enough to cover all the soil, water again when the top inch or two is dry, to keep the soil moist. St. Augustine will grow almost in a swamp, and the more water it gets, the faster it spreads.
You might buy some st. augustine plugs and put them in to help it thicken up faster.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions, or need more information, feel free to write me anytime.
Charlotte