Does your St. Augustine lawn look more like a patchy, uneven mess than the lush green carpet you dream of? You are not alone! St. Augustine grass, with its thick, coarse blades, demands special care. Choosing the wrong lawn mower can shred this beautiful grass, leaving you with a damaged yard and a lot of frustration.
Finding the perfect mower for St. Augustine is tricky. Too much power can scalp the lawn, while blades that aren’t sharp enough will tear the tough runners. You need a machine that cuts cleanly without stressing the grass. We understand these challenges, and that’s why we put this guide together.
Keep reading to discover the best types of mowers, the right blade settings, and the features you absolutely must look for. By the end of this post, you will know exactly which machine will keep your St. Augustine grass healthy, dense, and perfectly manicured all season long. Let’s dive into making your lawn the envy of the neighborhood!
Top Lawn Mower For St Augustine Grass Recommendations
- One quart treats 3,720 sq ft
- Controls Weeds in St. Augustine and Centipede Grasses
- Package Weight: 1.021 kilograms
- Package Dimensions: 5.842 L x 19.177 H x 12.954 W (centimeters)
- Custom formula for thick, vibrant St. Augustine lawns
- Boosts lush green growth and root strength
- Easy-to-apply liquid format for even lawn coverage
- Made in the USA
- POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Tackle your yard with 3,700 RPM mower power and 9,200 RPM of power with the trimmer
- 12-INCH CUTTING WIDTH: Effortlessly change the height of your cut with 5 cutting positions varying between 1-inch and 2.55-inches
- CORDLESS FREEDOM: Mower is powered by a 24V MAX* 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery for up to 22 minutes of battery runtime and collects 6.5-gallons of lawn clippings
- USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: Trimmer weighs less than 6 lbs and features a convenient pivot assist handle and auto-single line feed
- TRIMMER CONVERTS TO EDGER: Features a 10-inch cutting width and 7-position pivoting head to manicure edges, tight areas or uneven landscapes precisely
- 32-Count St Augustine Palmetto SodPods: Includes 4 trays of 8 pods each (32 total). Each individual pod measures 3" x 3"
- Coverage Area: Once fully matured, each 32-count pack covers 72-sq ft when plugs are planted 18 inches apart (on center).
- Premium Texture: Soft, broad blades with dense, carpet-like growth
- Sunlight Needs: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; highly shade tolerant
- Seasonal Color: Emerald green color that stays vibrant in warm seasons
- Easy to spread granules and easy to handle
- 2 applications in the spring and fall
- Can be used on all types of St. Augustine grasses
- Wider 18-Inch Cutting Path – Cover more ground with each pass, reducing mowing time while delivering a precise, scissor-like cut with the 5-blade reel.
- Adjustable Cutting Height – Easily switch between ½ inch to 2 ¾ inches for the perfect lawn height, tailored to different grass types and seasons.
- Ergonomic U-Style Handle – Designed for comfort and control, the cushion-grip U-handle provides a secure, comfortable grip to reduce hand and wrist strain.
- Eco-Friendly & Low Maintenance – just a smooth, quiet mowing experience that’s better for your lawn and the environment.
- Convenient Grass Catcher – Keep your yard tidy with the included grass catcher, which efficiently collects clippings for easy disposal.
- Combination mulch and fertilizer repairs St. Augustinegrass 60% faster with results 15 days after application ( vs. untreated control, results may vary)
- Mulch: Absorbs 6x its weight in water and expands to surround the seed in a moist protective layer
- Fertilizer: Exclusive controlled release technology feeds to promote growth and establishment of St. Augustinegrass
- Ready-to-use lawn repair mix covers up to 85 sq. ft.
- Scotts EZ Patch Lawn Repair for St. Augustine Lawns does not contain grass seed
- Custom formula for thick, vibrant St. Augustine lawns
- Boosts lush green growth and root strength
- Easy-to-apply liquid format for even lawn coverage
- Made in the USA
Choosing the Right Mower for Your St. Augustine Grass
St. Augustine grass is a beautiful, warm-season turf, but it needs special care. It grows thick and fast. You need the right lawn mower to keep it looking its best without damaging those wide blades. This guide helps you pick the perfect machine.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a mower for St. Augustine grass, focus on power and cutting ability.
- **High Torque Engine/Motor:** St. Augustine is dense. You need strong power to push through thick clumps without bogging down.
- **Cutting Height Adjustment:** This grass prefers a higher cut. Look for mowers that adjust up to 3.5 or 4 inches. Cutting too short stresses the grass.
- **Bagging/Mulching Options:** St. Augustine produces a lot of clippings. A good bagging system keeps the lawn tidy. Mulching can return nutrients, but you must do it often.
- **Deck Size:** Larger decks cut more area quickly. For small yards, a 20-inch deck works. For big yards, look for 22 inches or more.
Important Materials for Durability
The material of the mower deck matters a lot. It determines how long your mower lasts.
A **steel deck** offers great strength. However, steel can rust if left wet. Many people prefer **heavy-duty aluminum decks**. Aluminum resists rust completely. It is lighter, too. Look at the wheel material. **Durable plastic or metal wheels** handle rough terrain better than cheap plastic.
Factors Affecting Mower Quality
Quality is often about how the machine handles the stress of thick grass.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- **Self-Propelled Drive:** This feature is almost essential for thick St. Augustine. It moves the mower for you, saving your energy.
- **Washout Ports:** Some higher-quality mowers have ports where you attach a hose to clean the underside. This prevents buildup that slows the blades.
- **Blade Quality:** Sharp, thick steel blades cut cleanly. Dull or thin blades tear the grass, which invites disease.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
Cheap, low-powered engines often struggle with the density of St. Augustine. If the deck feels flimsy, it will shake loose quickly. Poorly designed height adjusters often stick, making it hard to set the right height.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use your lawn affects your choice.
**Small, flat yards (under 1/4 acre):** A reliable electric (corded or battery) walk-behind mower might work. Battery power offers convenience.
**Medium to large yards (over 1/4 acre) or yards with slopes:** A powerful gas self-propelled mower is highly recommended. The self-propel feature makes climbing slopes much easier. Riding mowers are best for very large properties where time savings are key.
Remember, you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade height at one time. This means mowing frequently!
10 FAQs About Mowers for St. Augustine Grass
Q: What is the ideal cutting height for St. Augustine grass?
A: You should set your mower deck high. Aim for 2.5 to 3.5 inches, especially during the hottest summer months. Taller grass shades the soil, keeping the roots cool.
Q: Should I use a mulching mower or a bagging mower?
A: Both work, but bagging is often better for St. Augustine. This grass produces large amounts of clippings. Too many clippings left on the lawn block sunlight and cause thatch.
Q: Is a reel mower okay for St. Augustine?
A: Reel mowers provide the cleanest cut, but they require very frequent mowing. Because St. Augustine grows fast, keeping a reel mower sharp enough and mowing often enough can be difficult for most homeowners.
Q: Do I need a high horsepower (HP) engine?
A: Yes, more power helps tremendously. St. Augustine is thick. A high-torque engine prevents the blades from slowing down when they hit dense patches.
Q: Are battery-powered mowers strong enough?
A: Modern, high-voltage battery mowers (like 60V or 80V systems) are strong enough for small to medium St. Augustine lawns. Check reviews to ensure they handle thick turf well.
Q: How often should I sharpen the blades?
A: Sharpen your blades at least twice per mowing season. Dull blades tear the wide St. Augustine blades, making them look brown or ragged at the tips.
Q: Can I use the same mower I use for Bermuda grass?
A: Yes, you can, but you must raise the cutting height significantly when switching to St. Augustine. Bermuda prefers a very short cut.
Q: What is “scalping” the lawn, and how do I avoid it?
A: Scalping means accidentally cutting the grass too short, exposing the soil. Avoid it by ensuring your mower deck is set high and never trying to cut off too much growth in one session.
Q: Is a zero-turn radius (ZTR) mower necessary?
A: ZTRs are fantastic for very large yards (over half an acre) with many obstacles. They are not necessary for average residential lawns.
Q: Why does my mower keep stalling in my St. Augustine grass?
A: This usually means the engine lacks enough power for the density, or the blades are dull and dragging instead of cutting. Also, check if the grass is too wet; never mow wet grass.