In the case of protecting your St. Augustine grass wanting lush and wholesome, making use of a weed-and-feed product is a key step. Not solely does it present important garden meals, however it additionally helps management weeds like dandelion, henbit, and different grassy weeds that may shortly take over your turfgrass. When you’re coping with undesirable weeds and brown patches in your garden, a weed-and-feed will be the answer you want, particularly throughout early spring when weeds begin to sprout.
Nonetheless, making use of these merchandise to St. Augustine grass requires a little bit of know-how. Since many broadleaf weed killers can hurt any such grass, it’s essential to decide on the suitable product and use the right approach. Actually, only some herbicides available on the market are rated to deal with St. Augustine with out harming it, however most of them are weed-control merchandise solely — not weed-and-feed merchandise.
On this article, I’ll focus on easy methods to apply weed-and-feed merchandise to your St. Augustine grass to maintain your garden wholesome and luxurious.
What Is St Augustine Grass?
When you’re dwelling in a heat, southern local weather like Florida, St. Augustine grass is an effective selection on your garden. Its lush, inexperienced look and skill to thrive within the warmth make it a go-to for householders wanting a vibrant yard that may deal with these scorching summers. This grass creates a thick, carpet-like garden that’s as engaging as it’s resilient.
St. Augustine grass is thought for giving your yard that wealthy, darkish inexperienced coloration everybody loves. It spreads simply, because of its horizontal stems, which assist it fill in shortly and kind a dense garden. Whereas it loves absorbing the solar, it may well additionally handle in partially shaded spots, making it versatile for various areas of your yard. Nonetheless, remember the fact that it’s not as powerful as different grasses like fescue or bluegrass in withstanding chilly climate.
Sustaining your St. Augustine garden doesn’t should be sophisticated. A balanced garden fertilizer, like Scotts Turf Builder, can hold it wanting wholesome and inexperienced. Simply you’ll want to be careful for widespread garden weeds like crabgrass, chickweed, and dollarweed, which might sneak in in the event you’re not cautious.
Weed and Feed Fundamentals
Except you reside in a frost-free local weather, it’s best to cease utilizing any fertilizers at the least six weeks earlier than your common first frost date. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that goes dormant for the winter, and also you don’t need to stimulate progress that entrance can kill.
I like to recommend spring and summer time purposes of weed-and-feed merchandise for these kind of lawns.
The commonest herbicide for St. Augustine lawns is Atrazine. Merely put, Atrazine is nasty stuff. It’s a potential cancer-inducing chemical that might additionally trigger beginning defects, and it reveals up in alarming ranges in consuming water. One take a look at the strict warnings on the label ought to make you suppose twice about placing it in your garden.
A wholesome garden is of course weed-resistant. If in case you have a widespread weed downside, give attention to protecting your garden wholesome or on changing the unhealthy garden with groundcover or planting beds.
Weed-and-feed merchandise include each fertilizer and herbicide in a single formulation. The mix can present comfort however wants correct precautions.
When To Keep away from Weed and Feed
Weed-and-feed merchandise include fertilizer and herbicides. The mix works nicely for reviving St. Augustine grass however carries some danger. Listed here are causes to keep away from placing weed-and-feed on St. Augustine grass:
- It’s fall or winter. The fertilizer element can stimulate progress that’s inclined to frost harm. As a substitute, reserve weed-and-feed for the energetic rising seasons of spring and summer time.
- It’s six weeks or much less earlier than your common first frost date. Discover your common first frost date from the Farmer’s Almanac, and don’t apply a weed-and-feed product on this six-week window. This manner, you give your grass time to harden off earlier than chilly climate arrives.
- Don’t apply throughout a drought or warmth stress. Fertilizers can push progress that requires extra water than the garden is getting. This follow results in grass burnout.
- Don’t apply it in the event you’re overseeding. The herbicide element will inhibit the germination of grass seed. Wait till new grass is established earlier than making use of weed-and-feed.
- Don’t unfold on newly laid sod. The chemical compounds can leach into the soil underneath the sod and inhibit root institution. I like to recommend you let new sod take root for 4 to 6 weeks earlier than making use of a weed-and-feed product.
At this time’s House owner Suggestions
Correct timing is vital when utilizing these mixture merchandise on St. Augustine grass. Take note of climate patterns and the well being of your garden.
The above timing suggestions are particular to warm-season grasses like St. Augustine. Cool-season grasses could have totally different pointers, so all the time test the product label.
Issues With Atrazine
Atrazine, a herbicide typically included in weed-and-feed merchandise for St. Augustine grass, poses a number of dangers that make it price avoiding. The U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) labels Atrazine as a possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. Analysis hyperlinks excessive publicity to elevated most cancers charges in folks.
This chemical lingers in soil and groundwater, resulting in contamination of consuming water sources nationwide. Furthermore, Atrazine runoff contributes to poisonous algae blooms in ponds, lakes, and different floor waters, posing a hazard to pets and wildlife. Though many international locations have banned Atrazine, it stays authorized in the US, although some states have imposed partial bans or restrictions.
Through the years, I transitioned away from Atrazine to safer choices, akin to corn gluten meal, vinegar, and plant-based herbicides. These have much less environmental affect.
Given the well being and environmental dangers of Atrazine, avoiding it might be the wisest selection for you, your garden, and your neighborhood. Speak to your garden care firm about chemical-free choices or merchandise with out Atrazine.
Sustaining a Wholesome Garden
The most effective protection towards weeds is a wholesome, thriving garden. Listed here are some suggestions:
- Mow your garden on the correct peak on your grass sort. Correct mowing peak encourages deeper root progress. Maintain mower blades sharp for clear cuts.
- Water completely and sometimes to encourage deep root progress. Keep away from frequent, mild watering. Deep watering promotes stronger grass vegetation.
- Dethatch and aerate your garden yearly to alleviate soil compaction. Thatch elimination improves air and nutrient stream to the soil.
- Apply a slow-release fertilizer two to 3 instances a yr. I like to recommend pure natural choices like natural fertilizers break down slowly for regular feeding.
- Overseed naked patches in spring and fall. Cowl the brand new seed with straw. Seeding fills in skinny and naked areas.
- Elevate your mowing peak earlier than the summer time warmth and decrease it for fall. Adjusting peak helps the grass keep wholesome in altering climate.
- Apply corn gluten meal in spring to discourage new weed seedlings. Corn meal inhibits root formation in rising weeds.
With correct cultivation, your garden can out-compete weeds. Then spot remedies or hand-weeding could also be all you want for downside areas.
Last Ideas
Utilizing weed-and-feed merchandise in your St. Augustine grass is a good way to maintain your garden wanting lush and wholesome. Timing is the whole lot — spring and summer time are your greatest bets for making use of these merchandise as a result of your grass is actively rising and may profit essentially the most. Simply you’ll want to skip the weed-and-feed in late fall or winter. Moreover, keep away from utilizing it throughout droughts or excessive warmth to maintain from stressing your garden.
To maintain weeds at bay, it’s vital to keep up a wholesome garden. Common mowing, correct watering, and the suitable fertilizing practices are key. Don’t neglect about dethatching and aerating your garden, and overseeding when wanted to assist fill in any naked spots. With constant care and the suitable merchandise used on the proper instances, you’ll hold your garden in prime form and luxuriate in an exquisite yard all yr lengthy.
FAQs About Making use of Weed and Feed to St. Augustine Grass
When is the very best time to use weed-and-feed?
For St. Augustine grass, apply weed-and-feed in the course of the energetic rising season of spring and summer time. Keep away from use in fall and winter. Discontinue at the least six weeks earlier than your common first frost.
How typically can I apply weed-and-feed merchandise?
You may apply most merchandise each six to eight weeks in the course of the rising season. Don’t exceed the labeled software frequency and annual use limits.
What precautions ought to I take when utilizing weed-and-feed?
Learn the label completely and observe all directions. Put on gloves, lengthy sleeves, and closed-toe footwear when dealing with the product. Maintain kids and pets off-treated areas till the garden is dry. Sweep any product that lands on driveways again onto the garden to forestall runoff.
Are weed-and-feed merchandise secure for the surroundings?
Some widespread herbicides in weed-and-feed merchandise, like Atrazine, are linked to environmental hurt. Some international locations have banned using Atrazine in consequence. Think about options like corn gluten meal or pure weed killers as an alternative.
Can I take advantage of weed-and-feed on newly laid sod or after overseeding?
Keep away from utilizing a weed-and-feed product on new sod or after seeding new grass. Wait 4 to 6 weeks for brand new sod to root earlier than making use of weed and feed. Enable new seedlings to completely set up earlier than therapy as nicely.