1/11/2012 12:01 PM
We have an employee that has just been throwing some bermuda seed in his yard each year and what comes up, comes up. He's been at this now and and has about 90% coverage. The bermuda will choke out the St. Augustine if kept at a lower height of cut and maintained correctly. He won't have to worry about fungus or chinch bugs anymore, but will now have to contend with Mole Crickets with limited options for residential turf. But, at least it won't die when he turns the water off.
Or, Round-up and Fusilade and then sod. But, this won't be able to be completed until about March or April.
An alternative is switching to Empire Zoysia. I made the switch in my own yard a few years back, as well as our new residential construction and common areas at work. I personally love it. With about 2-3# of N a year, and I only have to mow it about 20 times and it still looks good. Haven't put an insecticide on it in 5 years, but have had to fight some fungus in the fall. Will go off color quicker in a drought, but won't die like the St. Augustine. Worth a look.
Several of the surrounding counties have actually outlawed St. Augustine in new construction, and Orange County (Orlando) a few years back was throwing around the idea of a $.50/ft2 buy back program if you replace with Bermuda, Bahia or Zoysia.