What Is The Best Lawn Fertilizer For St Augustine Grass

Simple Lawn Solutions Commercial Grade Lawn Energizer

No need to worry if you dont have a spreader? With Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Energizer, you receive a 32-ounce jug with a built-in sprayer that can attach to a garden hose, making it easy to fertilize the lawn without having the need to buy a pump sprayer or spreader. The fertilizer is available in a concentrated liquid that feeds an area up to 3,200 square feet, and refill jugs are also available.

The fertilizer consists of a nitrogen-rich 6-0-0 NPK ratio to enrich and deepen St. Augustines blue-green color promotes dense growth. Micronutrients and Iron in Lawn Energizers formulation encourages healthy root development and improves soil quality.

Buy the Simple Lawn Solutions fertilizer at Simple Lawn Solutions and on Amazon.

Specs:

• Limited coverage

Is Epsom Salt Good For St Augustine Grass

Some people believe that Epsom salt is good for St. Augustine grass because it helps with soil acidity, but not all experts agree on this.

Epsom salt is a popular nutrient for plants and gardeners that can help with soil acidity. There is no consensus on the question of whether traditional Epsom salts are safe to use on St. Augustine grass, though most experts recommend using a granular fertilizer instead of liquid fertilizer when possible.

The Best Fertilizers For Alkaline Soil In St Augustine Grass

The Best Fertilizers for Alkaline Soil in St. Augustine Grass

The Best Fertilizers for Alkaline Soil in St. Augustine Grass Home Guides| Garden| Garden CareA warm season grass widely grown in coastal areas and Mediterranean climates, St. Augustine keeps its green color at temperatures 10 degrees lower than temperatures tolerated by other similar grasses. The most common cause of iron deficiency in St. Augustine lawns is highly alkaline soil. New Lawns St.

Also Check: How To Kill Wild Violets In Lawn

The Key To Fertilizing St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine friendly fertilizers come in all kinds of formulas and formulations. These can be synthetic or organic, all-purpose or specialized, liquid or granular your lawn will benefit from them provided that they have a safe yet efficient nutrient makeup and are easy to apply according to the schedule. Simple Lawn Solutions 3-18-18 Lawn Food is my personal favorite for this grass variety because it meets all the criteria.

Have you encountered any problems with your St. Augustine grass so far? Youre welcome to share in the comments!

Contents

Best Fertilizer For St Augustine Grass In Fall

16-4-8 fertilizer is the ideal fall fertilizer for St. Augustine grass. Spread your 16-4-8 fertilizer in September or October to deliver 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. This fall fertilizer application will promote fall shoot growth, encourage strong root formation before winter, and allow your St. Augustine grass to resist diseases during winter dormancy.

• What Fall Fertilizer Should You Use on St. Augustine Grass?

Don’t Miss: Who Makes Poulan Riding Lawn Mowers

St Augustine Yearly Fertilizer Schedule

St. Augustine grass requires 2-4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually. Regions with clay soil or a shorter growing season can thrive on 2 pounds of nitrogen yearly. Lawns planted in sandy soil, as well as lawns with longer growing seasons, need 4 pounds of nitrogen per year.

The following schedule contains ideal application rates using 16-4-8 fertilizer and Milorganite, so you dont need to do any complex math. Simply measure your yard to find the square footage, and youre ready to go.

• : 3 weeks after spring green-up, apply 3 pounds of 16-4-8 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of lawn .
• : Apply 6.25 pounds of 16-4-8 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet . If your yard has clay soil, apply at a rate of 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
• : Apply 16 pounds of Milorganite per 1,000 square feet . On clay soil, apply 8 pounds per 1,000 square feet .
• : Apply 6.25 pounds of 16-4-8 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. If your yard has clay soil, apply 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet.
• : If your St. Augustine goes dormant in winter, do not apply any fertilizer. If your lawn stays green year-round, apply at the same rates as August.
• : If your lawn goes dormant in winter, do not apply any fertilizer. If your lawn stays green year-round, apply fertilizer in October or November at the same rates as August. Do not apply in both months.
• : Do not apply any fertilizer.

Best Time To Fertilize St Augustine Grass

There are a few times each year when fertilizing St. Augustine grass is a good idea. This turfgrass requires a relatively high amount of nitrogen each year.

The first step in fertilizing your lawn should always be to see what it needs. Test your soil in the late winter or early spring. This will give you a good idea of what sort of fertilizers your lawn needs. Dont apply a high nitrogen fertilizer during this time.

If you encourage turfgrass growth in the early spring and then have a freak frost, it can cause damage to your yard.

You can fertilize for the first time in the late spring or early summer months. Youll use around 2-4 lbs of actual nitrogen per growing season per 1000 square feet of turf. If your soil is sandy, you may use fertilizer at a higher rate, but if its clay, you may use less.

Fertilize three times during the summer unless your soil is composed of heavy clay. The best fertilizer to use will be an all-purpose or complete product formulated for use on a warm-season grass type, which is what your St. Augustine lawn is.

If the temperature gets extremely hot over 95 degrees try not to apply too much fertilizer. The high heat can stress your plants, especially if theres too little water as well. Wait until it cools down.

Recommended Reading: What Fertilizer To Use On New Lawn

Organic Vs Non Organic

You might be looking for the best organic fertilizer for your St. Augustine lawn, due to kids and pets. It could also be you want to reduce harmful runoff, or some chemical products are banned in your region. Luckily, there are many fantastic options when it comes to organic fertilizers. You may have to withstand a bit of an odor, and organic is often more costly, but otherwise, you wont find a downside.

Look for a quick, intense green for your St. Augustine grass? Maybe a synthetic solution will make more sense for you. If the lawn does not host a lot of foot traffic or pets, there is no real harm in using the chemicals they often show faster, more apparent results.

What Is The Best Time To Fertilize St Augustine Grass

Fertilize St. Augustine 2-4 times annually, between the beginning of May and the end of August. These applications should be evenly spaced, providing between 1/2 to 1 pound of nitrogen per application. Several smaller applications of fertilizer are preferable to fewer larger applications. This will prevent fertilizer burn and promote nutrient uptake by your grass.

The best type of fertilizer for St. Augustine lawns is a 16-4-8 fertilizer. It is balanced to promote growth and help your lawn resist cold and fungal diseases common to St. Augustine. To promote green color and prevent fertilizer burn in temperatures over 90 , apply a natural fertilizer with iron content. This simple schedule will make the application of fertilizer fast and simple, promoting a healthy lawn thats easy to care for.

Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Lawn Rake

Long Term Effects Of Low N Rates On St Augustinegrass Cultivars

Long term effects of low N rates on St. augustinegrass cultivars

However, limited information exists to indicate whether different St. Augustinegrass cultivars respond equally to reduced N fertilization in the initial years following establishment.

Core Ideas Over a 4-yr period, 2.5 lb N per 1,000 ft 2 per yr yielded adequate St. Augustinegrass quality. However, the differences in turfgrass quality were minimal, suggesting that acceptable St. Augustinegrass quality could be achieved with a rate lower than what is currently recommended. Results of the ANOVA testing the effects of cultivar, N rate, year, month, and their interactions on visual quality, color, texture, spring green-up, and summer density St. Augustinegrass in Davie, FL Quality Color Texture Green-up Density Cultivar NSa *** *** NS *** N rate ** NS NS NS NS Cultivar × N rate NS NS NS NS NS Year *** NS NS NS ** Year × cultivar *** NS NS NS * Year × N rate NS NS NS NS *** Year × cultivar × N rate NS NS NS NS NS Monthb *** Month × cultivar *** Month × N rate NS Month × cultivar × N rate NS Year × month *** Year × month × cultivar *** Year × month × N rate NS Year × month × cultivar × N rate NS FIGURE 1 Open in figure viewer Turfgrass visual quality on a scale from 1 to 9 of four St.

How Do I Make My St Augustine Grass Green

Lawns that receive adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients will naturally respond with healthy colors.

But, there are a few things you can do to increase color vibrancy even further:

You May Like: What Is The Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower For Hills

Simple Lawn Solutions 3

Affiliate links and images placed from the Amazon Product Advertising API on 2022-10-29

Some of you might be surprised by this fact, but fertilizing isnt all about nitrogen! Its not uncommon for lawns to suffer from phosphorus and/or potassium deficiency, manifesting in weak roots and discolored grass blades, sometimes with diebacks.

If you feel like this is the case with your lawn, the 3-18-18 formula of this Lawn Food can prove extremely beneficial for your St. Augustine grass. This is my absolute favorite for visibly withering lawn vegetation of pretty much any kind. It helps the turf recover quickly, growing lush and green where it used to be sparse and burned-out. The potassium in it also increases hardiness.

The liquid formulation of this fertilizer means you need to re-apply it once in a couple of weeks. This is not a difficult task due to the convenient bottle design.

• The formula needs more frequent reapplication than many granular options.
• There are cheaper products in the liquid fertilizer category.

Nutrition To Look For In St Augustine Grass Fertilizers

When researching fertilizers for your lawn, the information you come across can be overwhelming. Let us break down some of the most common terms youll encounter during your search.

What is NPK?

• Nitrogen isa macronutrient that speeds up the growing process and makes your grass greener.
• Phosphorus is a macronutrient that promotes root growth and adds vigor.
• Potassium is a macronutrient that strengthens the grass immunity and resistance to disease.

You May Like: What’s The Best Self Propelled Walk Behind Lawn Mower

What Month Should I Fertilize St Augustine Grass

St Augustine grass, an annual warm-season grass, is the most common lawn in North America. It grows best in full sun to light shade.St. Augustine grass needs to be fertilized each month in order to get the best performance from the lawn. But you have to know what month you should fertilize it in order to get the best result.

St. Augustine grass needs fertilizer for three reasons:

– The first reason is that it helps the lawn stay green and healthy- especially during periods where there is less sunlight, like during winter months.

– The second reason is that it helps produce a dense, rich turf, which will make your lawn look beautiful and stay healthy during the whole season.

– The third reason is that it helps prevent potential diseases on your lawn such as brown patches or patches of dead grass needles and patches of white mold on your turf.

It typically takes 8-10 weeks for the plant to become established and mature. You should fertilize it when you see green growth and the plants have reached at least 4 inches tall.

Watering St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass needs more frequent watering to ensure healthy root growth during the spring growing season. Its best to water your St. Augustine grass early in the morning. Avoid watering your lawn in the evening or during the hottest part of the day. Water your lawn grass deeply in the morning to promote strong root growth during the growing season. The root system of your grass will suffer if you water during the hottest part of the day because the water will evaporate before it reaches the lawn roots.

Warmer temperatures may necessitate more frequent watering of your St. Augustine lawn. New sod will also need more frequent irrigation. New grass should be watered in the morning to reduce the risk of fungus. Watering in the evening doesnt allow the grass blades time to dry out. The grass can hold moisture too long, which makes it susceptible to lawn disease.

You May Like: How Much To Charge For Mowing Lawn

Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer

If you prefer a slow-release fertilizer for your St Augustine lawn, you should check out this Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 6-4-0. It slowly releases vital nutrients while improving soil quality. While synthetic fertilizers target the roots of the grass, this fertilizer targets the soil to create longer-lasting results.

Plus, this slow-release fertilizer formula means that you only need to apply it every 10 weeks and it will also reduce lawn mowing frequency as the grass grows slower.

Milorganite says: this eco-friendly Nitrogen fertilizer is derived from recycled nutrients produced by the water reclamation process. So, you dont need to be worried about the safety of yourself, your kids, and your pets.

Pros:

• Its not a highly-recommended choice for Bermuda grass.
• Doesnt contain potassium

What Month Should You Fertilize St Augustine Grass

St. Augustine thrives from several fertilizer applications from spring through summer. Begin applying fertilizer in May. Then, apply fertilizer once per month through August.

• Begin fertilizing St. Augustine in May.
• Fertilize once-per-month through the summer, performing the final fertilizer application in August.
• Applying fertilizer in small portions over the summer causes better growth, increases grass health, and allows the soil to absorb more nutrients.

By applying fertilizer in controlled portions over the course of the summer you feed your lawn gradually. This promotes even growth and prevents fertilizer burn that can kill your grass. Not only is an overload of fertilizer potentially harmful to your lawn, applying too much fertilizer at once causes it to wash out of your lawn before it can take effect. Several smaller applications yield better results from the same amount of fertilizer.

Don’t Miss: Will Lawn Fertilizer Kill Weeds

How Often To Apply Lawn Fertilizer For St Augustine Grass

How often you should apply lawn fertilizer for St Augustine grass depends on the type of fertilizer you choose, and how much and when you apply it. Fertilizers can be applied once every 4-6 weeks during spring and fall, or at least once a year in the spring. Fall fertilizing is especially important because this is when grass grows most rapidly and needs nutrients to support that growth.

If youre using granular fertilizer, such as Scotts Turf Builder with Moss Out, the best way to apply it is by sprinkling it evenly over your entire lawn area in the morning or evening after watering your yard thoroughly but not too much so that water pools up in low spots . Its also important that you dont use too much fertilizer because this could burn your St Augustine grass which will kill off healthy roots and leave them vulnerable to disease and insect infestation later on down the road.

When And How To Apply Fertilizer On St Augustine

If wondering when is the best time to fertilize St. Augustine grass, you also need to consider what zone you are in. Warmer climates can be fertilized almost all year round.

Cooler climates are recommended to start 3 weeks after the grass begins to green after winter. If using a soluble, fast-acting solution, you should apply once every 8 weeks. Granular, slow-release editions can be applied every 12 weeks, or even less as needed.

It is important when you apply any fertilizer to read and follow the directions. As a rule, dry fertilizers should be applied evenly and with a standard lawn spreader. Soluble or liquid fertilizers require a sprayer.

Again, an even spray will ensure the entire lawn benefits from the nutrients you are giving it. It is also key to water in the fertilizer once it is applied you need it getting down into the roots, not sticking to the blade!

The only caution when applying fertilizer is to make sure not to adjust the ratio, and not to apply in hot weather. Avoiding these two mistakes will ensure your St. Augustine grass is well fed but not burnt out.

• Do not apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer in heat over 85 degrees
• Apply no more than 5 pounds of pure nitrogen per 1000 square feet

Read Also: How To Make Your Lawn Green Again

Best Nitrogen Fertilizers For St Augustine Lawn

The secret to growing St. Augustine grass faster is feeding. An adequate supply of nitrogen is very important if you want a thick, dark green lawn. However, proper care and maintenance go without saying.

If youre shopping for a top-quality nitrogen fertilizer for St. Augustine lawns, I would recommend you look at 3 different aspects:

• Fertilizers with high nitrogen content
• Fertilizers that come with iron as a supplement
• Fertilizers that are slow-release or combine slow and quick release effects.

The best picks for the best high nitrogen fertilizers for St. Augustine grass include Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer and the products listed below. Milorganite is a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer guaranteed to contain at least 6% nitrogen, 85% of which is water-insoluble. This makes it last and feeds your lawn for longer.

Ive tried a lot of brands and individual products for my lawn and clients lawns. Above is my list and reviews of the top-quality high nitrogen fertilizers for growing a thick, dense St. Augustine lawn without burning it. The best fertilizers to feed your St. Augustine grass lawn need to contain high nitrogen.

Pro Tip: Avoid fertilizers that contain high amounts of phosphorus because they can cause zinc and iron deficiency in your lawn. Before you start your spring St. Augustine fertilizer calendar, ensure you do a soil test to determine the nutrients that are required.