When's the best time to plant St. Augustine here in McAllen? I also need to find someone that will clear and level out my current yard if anyone has any good references.

Go ask that worthless pryck Ken Starr, he should be able to fill you in.....

Wait till it cools off. Most cities have watering curfews and it will be difficult to keep it alive during the summer when it's first planted unless you water every day for a while. It sure makes it easier if you have a sprinkler system.

I have over an acre of St Augustine and I am having to flood irrigate the yard once a month to keep up.

Right now McAllen doesn't have a restriction and I do have a sprinkler system. It's for my front yard and I have zero shade which is a major problem.

Two years ago we put a yard (Floratam) in my daughters yard in McAllen in May against my better judgement as a house warming gift. I decided that there was no way that it would make it so I had a new sprinkler system put in. Even though it was a hot summer they made it through nicely but I think their water bill was real high with all the watering.

If you have a sprinkler system and if you are willing to run it every day, I think you could make it. This is a mighty hot summer though. I still think that you might want to wait a month.

Is your sprinkler system on a separate water meter? We did that and it has sure saved them a lot of money.I think a separate water meter cost about $400 then.

[This message has been edited by oldvalleyrat (edited 9/11/2011 2:42p).]

[This message has been edited by oldvalleyrat (edited 9/11/2011 2:47p).]

I put in a separate meter 2 weeks ago. All said and done it cost me about $750. My water bill was running around $100 each month so I know it will work out better in the long run. Thanks for the advise.

A) I'm with RGVAg on this one.

B) If you must plant turf, PLEASE don't use St. Augustine. Use Bermuda. St. Augustine just needs way too much water. Regardless of whether or not McAllen is enforcing water rationing, you should try to be conscious of the severe drought situation and use as little water as necessary.
Establishing a St. Augustine yard does pretty much the exact opposite of that.