Gardening

Finding The Best Feed And Weed For St Augustine Grass

St Augustine grass is perfect when you want to make your lawn look good. However sometimes, no matter how much we’ve been fertilizing it, the lawn still doesn’t look as green as we originally wanted. Don’t worry we’ve all been there, and as someone who overcame this issue, we’re certain that this problem stems from the fact that your grass simply needs some extra care. 

So to shed more light on this issue, we’ve decided to share our knowledge with you, and help you pick the best weed and feed for St Augustine grass. All to ensure you have a thriving lawn!

Top 7 Best Feed And Weed Products For St Augustine Grass: Comparison Chart

TypeArea CoveredTarget PestsPrimary Nutrients (N-P-K)Weight
Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple ActionGranular4000 sq. ft.Dollarweed, clover, oxalis, plantain, chickweed, henbit and others29-0-1013.32 pounds
Spectracide 96262Liquid7500 sq. ft.Major broadleaf weeds20-0-032 oz
Sunniland 128820Granular5000 sq. ft.n/a20-0-620 pounds
FertilomeGranular2500 sq. ft.Crabgrass, sedge, paspalum, spotted spurge and others15-0-416 pounds
BioAdvanced 704840BGranular5000 sq. ft.Broad lead, grassy weeds, crabgrass35-0-312.5 pounds
GreenView 2131251Granular5000 sq. ft.Crabgrass26-0-413.5 pounds
The AndersonsGranular16000 sq. ft.Over 250 weeds16-0-940 pounds

Saint Augustine Grass: Definition and Where to Grow It

St Augustine grass is a warm-season grass cluster that can be grown on the lawn or for pasture, in large farms. It has a thick sod, which helps it eliminate grasses and weeds to create a grass colony where it grows. People use weed and feed for St Augustine grass alongside the traditional care and maintenance practice.

St Augustine grass

St Augustine grass does well in warm areas like the Southern parts of the United States but can tolerate colder coastal regions with mild winters. However, according to a lot of st Augustine grass reviews, it can also do well in any southern climate, with the right soil. 

And speaking of it, the grass does well in soil with a pH of 5 and 8.5, which is a broad range for many growers. So before growing the grass, it’s best to test your pH and adjust it where necessary.

Choosing the Best Feed and Weed for St Augustine Grass

When you want to choose the best fertilizer for St Augustine grass you have to keep in mind several important factors. So let’s take a look at the essentials of the St Augustine fertilizer:

Quick-release vs Slow-release?

Slow-release fertilizers are insoluble, while quick release fertilizers are soluble. Quick-release fertilizers give results within two weeks, and slow-release fertilizers take up to ten weeks to give results.

Slow-release fertilizers make the best weed & feed for St Augustine grass. They are gentle on the lawn and do not burn it out even at high temperatures. They are less labor-intensive as the next application can only be in 8 or 10 weeks.

Slow-release fertilizers are slightly expensive than fast-release fertilizers. When used as a St Augustine weed and feed, they bolster fast growth on your grass and help it overcome weed as well as protect it from diseases typical of poor nutrition.

Granular vs Liquid

St Augustine weed and feed products come in two types; liquid and granular. Liquid fertilizers are more convenient for a small lawn since they can be connected to your house and easily spread across the yard.

Liquid weed and feed fertilizers enhance the soil and detoxify it from impurities and harmful agents, making it great for growth. Using liquid weed and feed for St Augustine lawns will decrease the soil compaction and improve the drainage of the soil, making your St Augustine grass flourish.

Granular fertilizers are suitable for mid-size and large lawns as the spreader will be easier to push around to ensure it is spread easily and efficiently. It doesn’t require much mixing, but you should read through the instructions to ensure the spreader has the right measure. This way, you get all the benefits from the best weed and feed for st Augustine grass 2023.

Another important thing to point out is that granular fertilizers are the best weed and feed for St Augustine grass in Florida and other high-temperature areas. That is because they do not collect on the blade of the grass; hence will not burn it.

Content Ratio

All the fertilizers must have the content ratio on the packaging. Usually, you can find a label with letters like N-P-K, which means Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. 10-4-10 indicates the percentage: 10% Nitrogen, 4% Phosphorus, and 10% Potassium. The content ratio is per 100 pounds of fertilizer alone unless indicated otherwise in the packaging.

Overall, the best fertilizer for St Augustine grass should have less phosphorus and potassium but enough nitrogen.

Hacks for Fertilizers for St Augustine Grass

Hacks for Fertilizers for St Augustine Grass
  • Make sure your soil’s PH levels are good: As mentioned, they should be from 5 and 8.5. Once the nutrients in your soil are fine, you can choose the best weed and feed for Saint Augustine grass.
  • It is best to start fertilizing your grass during the spring and fall seasons: That is because the St. Augustine grass is most active during these seasons.
  • Protect your grass from trampling: St Augustine grass does best in areas with less traffic. Otherwise, make sure to separate pathways for people and animals or put a fence to keep away animals that might ruin your turf.
  • Control the grass growth using a lawnmower: The best height setting for St Augustine grass is anywhere between 2.5-3 inches. This ensures the grass gets abundant nutrients and nourishment for growth.
  • Use herbicides to control weeds: In as much as fertilizers can control weed in St. Augustine grass, they are not very efficient with pre-grown weed.

St Augustine Grass Fertilizer FAQs

To better understand the best weed and feed for St Augustine grass, you need to know the answers to some of the most common, but important questions:

What Quantities of Weed and Feed Are Perfect for St Augustine Grass?

St Augustine grass weed and feed fertilizer require that you apply the correct amount of fertilizer. Too little, and you end up with a nutrient-deficient lawn. On the other hand, too much of it creates a suitable environment for pests to thrive.

What Is the Best Way to Apply Weed and Feed on St Augustine Grass?

UUse a spreader to apply weed and feed on your grass. The ideal St Augustine weed and feed spreader for a small lawn is a chest-mounted spreader. Ensure the fertilizer does not cling to the blade of the grass to avoid burning.

How Best Can I Take Care of My St Augustine Grass?

For a lush green lawn, you have to apply the right amounts of St Augustine fertilizer, mow correctly and use the right methods to control pests and disease. It would be best if you did proper scouting on a fertilizer before you buy and apply it to ensure it is correctly formulated for your lawn. 

If there is a lot of weeds on the new grass, and they can’t be controlled by herbicides – use slow-release fertilizers. They can control weed AND enhance the growth of your grass. Just remember that Broadleaf fertilizers will harm St Augustine grass, so make sure to avoid them.

And to determine the correct amount of weed and feed for St Augustine grass, divide the first number indicated on your fertilizer’s label by 100. This gives you the weight you need to apply over a 1,000 sq. ft area for it to be within the recommended ratio of 1 pound per 1,000 sq. ft of St. Augustine grass weed and feed.

Final Thoughts

When you have applied the right weed and feed for St Augustine grass, your yard would look just like one of those great southern lawns. And what’s great is that it’s not that hard to get the best weed and feed for St Augustine grass 2023. As long as you keep in mind all the essential factors, you will find the best fertilizer in no time! So good luck, and feel free to let us know if you have any more questions!