Best St. Augustine application schedule

[mlimanti]

The last two years I have had Trugreen manage my lawn fertilization to bring it out of the fair condition that it was previously in. I would like to take over this process myself, as I previously did at my prior residence. Just was looking for the latest and greatest when it comes to making St. Augustine look its best.

Basically just looking for the best types of fertilizers to use and when to apply. The lawn now is still dormant from winter and I will give it as much attention as I need to make it perfect through the season. What do you guys suggest?

Thanks for your help in advance !!!!!:drinkup:

[Ric]

The last two years I have had Trugreen manage my lawn fertilization to bring it out of the fair condition that it was previously in. I would like to take over this process myself, as I previously did at my prior residence. Just was looking for the latest and greatest when it comes to making St. Augustine look its best.

Basically just looking for the best types of fertilizers to use and when to apply. The lawn now is still dormant from winter and I will give it as much attention as I need to make it perfect through the season. What do you guys suggest?

Thanks for your help in advance !!!!!:drinkup:


Mlimanti

Go to amazon.com and purchase the "FLORIDA LAWN HANDBOOK" by Ruppert & Black. There in will be the answers to all your question. After studying that book you will be answering questions instead of asking.

[Ric]

Yo

Let me add that the "FLORIDA LANW HANDBOOK" is published by the U of Fla. and is considered the Bible of Florida Lawn care. It is the main Study guide to the Commercial Applicators Certification. It is also easy to read and find answers for your particular problem. It is written on a 8th grade level.

[mlimanti]

I will definitely pick up the book, sounds great. In the interim, when should the first application and what should it be this time of year?

[RAlmaroad]

Good Afternoon Milamanti:
When you get 25 posts--you'll be able to send PM--I like those but here goes.
I did a check as Ric suggested but it is NOT available from Amazon--it may be available elsewhere. However, to help you out a bit-- Go to: http://www.lesco.com/images/ZoneGuides/Southeast.pdf
Your maintainence fertilizer is you soil test analysis suggestion
Follow the suggested times to fertilizer--There are several pre-emergent products out there and maybe you have a Lesco or other pro office that will help you decide which one to use. I can tell you that St. Augustine is really sensitive to a lot of these especially the ones with the 24D. St Augustine needs about 1lb/ application while centipede requires only 1/2 lb. Both grasses need a fairly neutral PH and not much lime required. Both love Potash, so a good maintainence would be the 15-0-15 plus a little iron. Home Depot has that particular fertlizer with the Fe (2%). I've found that Atrazine (also available in granular form from Lesco is a good one to use for your pre-emergent) In the summer when things are growing and you need broadleaf control--Image make a liquid Atrazine for some of those things that the granular missed. Another Image that is applied directly with the hose is great for the Sandspurs,aka Yellow Sedge (if you have any). Don't get overwhelmed with trying to take everything in--most of these guys here are nice especially the southern ones and if you're lucky to get hold of one that will not mind helping out, then keep up the communication.
Hope this will help--get those posts in anyway you can and then PM us.
Roy (Tennessee)

[Ric]

I will definitely pick up the book, sounds great. In the interim, when should the first application and what should it be this time of year?

Mlimanti

I had to look in My Handbook for the first apply for your area. you are close to 300 miles north of me. The Handbook recommends a Complete Fertilizer in March applied at 1 LB of N per thousand Sq Ft.

I would make that application a weed & feed with Atrazine as the Herbicide in Weed & Feed. Chinch Bug are active and resistant to pyrthrins in my area. be sure to watch for them so they don't eat your lawn. Remember as a homeowner you can legally apply to you own yard just about everything we can. However once off you own property you can get fined up to $ 5,000 per treatment.

BTW There is more to Lawn care than reading one book and being knowledgable. It takes 3 years of studying just to be a beginner.

[mlimanti]

Thanks Ric,

When I first started into lawn care for myself I was occasionally using the Scotts Weed & Feed with really no rhyme or reason to it. Then like I said Trugreen took over and now I have the time and desire to make it the best I can on my own. From what I have read here in the past, most seem to prefer Lesco products to the Scott's products or just about anything else available at the big box stores. I did see that Lesco region chart that was posted above but would like to know what exactly to ask for when I approach the Lesco store for a " pre-emergent plus fertilizer". I do have a Lesco location nearby but have not been there yet. Just trying to have alittle knowledge so I don't get led in the wrong direction.

[Ric]

RAlmaroad

Oops

I just saw you post about Amazon. Sorry they used to carry it Cheaper than the U of Fla. Book Store.

I recommend the Ruppert & Black Handbook over Dr Laurie's she is a little too much tree hugger for me, even if she is a great looking Lady.


http://www.upf.com/searchresult.asp?searchterm=Florida+Lawn+Handbook&searchtype=keyword&x=14&y=4


Mlimanti

Atrazine is both a post and Pre emege. You might find better prices at Home Cheapo on Weed and Feed with .92 Atrazine. Any time to buy big name brand you will pay for the name. I personally think Scotts is excellent at ripping people off with their prices.

[mlimanti]

Sorry for some repetitiveness in the posts, just trying to bump up my post count. payup

[RAlmaroad]

Hey Ric:
I suggested the Atrazine at Lowes--it is 4% so non RUP people can apply it to their own yard. I know we use the 40%RUP. However, I did get my neighbor to use the 4% on his St. Augustine and the stuff worked great--as good as what I used. The granular from Lesco does a good job also. The WET stuff from Lowes does well on winter vetch and the like.
I like to read your post as they are very knowledgable--keep up good work. Roy

[Ric]

Hey Ric:
I suggested the Atrazine at Lowes--it is 4% so non RUP people can apply it to their own yard. I know we use the 40%RUP. However, I did get my neighbor to use the 4% on his St. Augustine and the stuff worked great--as good as what I used. The granular from Lesco does a good job also. The WET stuff from Lowes does well on winter vetch and the like.
I like to read your post as they are very knowledgable--keep up good work. Roy

Roy

The EPA has Limited the AI of Atrazine to 0.92 % on combination fertilizer.

[Ron95gt]

Am I the only one that uses Pennington St. Augustine Weed and Feed, as well as the St. A. Feed? They also have 3% iron added. May not be the best, but it's pretty cheap. And that counts when converting a 5 acre former peanut field, to half St. A, and half Zenith Zoysia.

[ampeg76]

Roy

The EPA has Limited the AI of Atrazine to 0.92 % on combination fertilizer.



in Florida only?

the average joe can get scott's with 1.05% at wally world here in Houston!

not to mention lesco is really pushing a 1.05% elite particled product, its something like 22-7-11 1% Fe, but don't hold me to the ratio:)

[stanley2113]

ampeg76, since you are in Houston can you recommend what to put on a small residential San Augustine yard and when to put it?

Thanks

[ampeg76]

ampeg76, since you are in Houston can you recommend what to put on a small residential San Augustine yard and when to put it?

Thanks

that is a very broad question!

the first thing i would do is get a soil sample and send it off for analysis!

estes here in town will do them for around $15, not a bad price, i think they just send the samples up to aggieville though:)

[stanley2113]

Where is estes and how do you take a soil sample? Do you get the soil from anywhere or at a certain depth?

When you don't have a clue you tend to ask broad questions.

=]