[SapphireStA]

I am a homeowner in central Fla., zone 9a. I am trying to handle my own weed/pest control and would appreciate your thoughts on the following ( if I cannot get the turf to at least start improving by summer, I will return to a professional, but I want to at least try myself first !!)

Location - Daytona area
Turf - Floratam St.Augustine
H2O- once weekly, 30 mins. per zone (will increase in summer rains)
Light - all areas of yard receive partial to all-day sun
Misc.- we have voles/moles, but they're not an issue now
Weeds - oxalis, dandelions, a little nutsedge
Spreader - Scotts Accugreen 3000 drop

I applied granular pre-emergent (Dimension 0.21 0-0-7 from Lesco) on 6 March '10. I'm still seeing a huge amount of oxalis and dandelions in our Floratam St.Aug., and I would like to know how soon I can apply Lesco Atrazine 0.92 20-0-10....or if it's perhaps too late? I have been trying to pull the weeds by hand w/ out harming the turf runners, but it's a challenge. Our yard is approx. 50-60% infested. We have several bare patches that I'll be plugging in May. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[LawnoftheMonth]

apply it now before it gets too hot, read the label for temp. ranges.

 

[SapphireStA]

Thank you very much!! I didn't even think to doublecheck the label, duh. :dizzy: Looks like that's my big project today...

Janice

 

[jvanvliet]

0.92 Atrazine is essentially useless; try looking at Scott brand of St. Augustine weed & feed, I believe it contains 1.23% or so; actually for the home owner Lesco with peloxalum (or something like that since my supply is under 25 50lb bags 0f 10-10-10; I'm sure that some-one will correct me )is more effective especially on broad leaf.

Re. Temps, make sure long range weather calls for temps above 70... & check your ground temp. Putting the stuff down with low temps will waste it and just wash it below the root zone, it doesn't work well on cold shocked or dormant plants. In Dayona, I believe you may have some time, timing is everything.

 

[Ric]

apply it now before it gets too hot, read the label for temp. ranges.

Oops Bad advice.

Atrazine will not control Oxalis or Nutsedge. However "Lesco 3 Way" will get Oxalis and Dandelion. Sedge requires a herbicide like "Dismiss" which will also get Dandelions.

Atrazine over use or in this case wrong use is why it is now a RUP and known ground water contaminate.

 

[ICT Bill]

Listen to Ric and stay away from atrazine, not only will it not perform and get the weeds you are hoping to get but the EPA is reviewing it and its class of chemicals for cross over in animals. not good

atrazine = skull and cross bones

have you ever thought about bending over and pulling the weed instead of exposing yourself, your dog, your family, every other family that walks by your house and steps in your yard to toxins?

 

[LawnoftheMonth]

Oops Bad advice.

Atrazine will not control Oxalis or Nutsedge. However "Lesco 3 Way" will get Oxalis and Dandelion. Sedge requires a herbicide like "Dismiss" which will also get Dandelions.

Atrazine over use or in this case wrong use is why it is now a RUP and known ground water contaminate.

my bad, I didnt read what his target weeds were.

 

[SapphireStA]

Listen to Ric and stay away from atrazine, not only will it not perform and get the weeds you are hoping to get but the EPA is reviewing it and its class of chemicals for cross over in animals. not good

atrazine = skull and cross bones

have you ever thought about bending over and pulling the weed instead of exposing yourself, your dog, your family, every other family that walks by your house and steps in your yard to toxins?

As a matter of fact, yes, I HAVE thought about it. Even better, I've actually done it-repeatedly. As I said in my first post I have been pulling weeds (for the past several weekends), but I'm looking for a better way. The fine folks at JDL ? Lesco sold me the atrazine after I told them of my particular situation, so I'm not sure why you feel compelled to use sarcasm on me, since I followed their advice, too! If you guys feel that Atrazine's not the way to go, I'll return the bag and look at other options.

 

[RAlmaroad]

As a matter of fact, yes, I HAVE thought about it. Even better, I've actually done it-repeatedly. As I said in my first post I have been pulling weeds (for the past several weekends), but I'm looking for a better way. The fine folks at JDL ? Lesco sold me the atrazine after I told them of my particular situation, so I'm not sure why you feel compelled to use sarcasm on me, since I followed their advice, too! If you guys feel that Atrazine's not the way to go, I'll return the bag and look at other options.

Sapphine: Simazine will not travel through the soil as bad as Atrazine. Therefore you can use it closer to your trees and bushes than Atrazine. As far as gene mutations on amphibians, which is what the hype is about and the most venerable to mutations, I have not seen any studies.
Also, simazine will take more heat than the atrazine. Pull up a label and compare the two. When you said "return the bag", my atrazine and simazine comes in 2.5 gallon jugs, never seen any in power form. But there's a lot os things that I've not seen. Wait until full greenup and a couple of mowing and use Image or Dismiss or Metsulfuron.

 

[SapphireStA]

Thanks- the Atrazine is 0.92% w/ fert. 20-0-20, pinkish and grey granules, 50 lb.bag. Lesco Prod. no.90555.
I appreciate yours and everyones' help.
Janice

 

[gregory]

you get a better kill with liquid herbicide then you will with granular

 

[RAlmaroad]

Janice: I'm extrapolating that you have no means of using a spray? If is the case then; use that hose end applicator with Image. It does an OK job. You buy a prescribed amount of "Image" from Lowes, hook a water hose to the bottle and cover 8000 sq. ft. The orfice built into the bottle works on water pressure (more water pressure faster coverage) Read the label at lowes and look for "Image" for St. Augustine and Centipede. It needs to be watered in within a few days.
Before you use the bottle--hold it up to a good light source and use a ruler to measure the liquid, mark half way on the bottle (coverage of 4000 sq ft.) divide those into 4 part (2000K each) etc.
Measure your lawn and use proper amount; start with a 1000K chunk and use 1/8th of the bottle by your marks making sure that you use the full amount of one mark. It will take a little time. You need a good even coverage on that 1000 sq. ft. chunk of turf.
Like Gregory stated above, granulars are effecive on growing weeds. The small amount of atrazine in there must be activated in the soil which takes something like 30 days and uptaken by the weeds (systemic) vs. what you need is a folliar (weed killer being taken in by leaves) and quicker.
Outside of hiring a pro with proper spraying gear, you're behind the 8 ball. Visit Lowes and read that label or google "Image" and read full label such as the weed it will control. You may need a second application.
Maybe this will help...Roy

 

[DougA1966]

I am a homeowner in central Fla., zone 9a. I am trying to handle my own weed/pest control and would appreciate your thoughts on the following ( if I cannot get the turf to at least start improving by summer, I will return to a professional, but I want to at least try myself first !!)

Location - Daytona area
Turf - Floratam St.Augustine
H2O- once weekly, 30 mins. per zone (will increase in summer rains)
Light - all areas of yard receive partial to all-day sun
Misc.- we have voles/moles, but they're not an issue now
Weeds - oxalis, dandelions, a little nutsedge
Spreader - Scotts Accugreen 3000 drop

I applied granular pre-emergent (Dimension 0.21 0-0-7 from Lesco) on 6 March '10. I'm still seeing a huge amount of oxalis and dandelions in our Floratam St.Aug., and I would like to know how soon I can apply Lesco Atrazine 0.92 20-0-10....or if it's perhaps too late? I have been trying to pull the weeds by hand w/ out harming the turf runners, but it's a challenge. Our yard is approx. 50-60% infested. We have several bare patches that I'll be plugging in May. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[DougA1966]

I am a homeowner in central Fla., zone 9a. I am trying to handle my own weed/pest control and would appreciate your thoughts on the following ( if I cannot get the turf to at least start improving by summer, I will return to a professional, but I want to at least try myself first !!)

Location - Daytona area
Turf - Floratam St.Augustine
H2O- once weekly, 30 mins. per zone (will increase in summer rains)
Light - all areas of yard receive partial to all-day sun
Misc.- we have voles/moles, but they're not an issue now
Weeds - oxalis, dandelions, a little nutsedge
Spreader - Scotts Accugreen 3000 drop

I applied granular pre-emergent (Dimension 0.21 0-0-7 from Lesco) on 6 March '10. I'm still seeing a huge amount of oxalis and dandelions in our Floratam St.Aug., and I would like to know how soon I can apply Lesco Atrazine 0.92 20-0-10....or if it's perhaps too late? I have been trying to pull the weeds by hand w/ out harming the turf runners, but it's a challenge. Our yard is approx. 50-60% infested. We have several bare patches that I'll be plugging in May. Any advice is appreciated.

I've seen a lot of advise regarding using other products for your weeds. Be very careful with the Floratam variety of St Augustine grass. Only a couple can be used on that type. I use atrazine in March right at the greening of grass cool to warm days then again about now if the weather stays under 88 or so. In the meantime I've purchased Celcius WG with a surfactant. It helps to stick to certain hard to kill weeds with waxy leaves. I.e. Spurge. Also Penoxsulam works well too but not Bayer 3 in 1. It clumps and sticks together in humid Florida. Try it in Lesco weed and feed St Augustine grass. Celcius WG is expensive. It's what pros use in their mix. You can find it on eBay Amazon etc. it only used a tsp for a gallon though. So it goes a long way and works great. Use a sticker or surfactant with it though as I said. Good luck. I am finally getting mine under control after a lot of education and research. Oh by the way. Yes, the sarcasm from the commenter above was absolutely unwarranted. Bet she's a vegan. Lol. No offense though. It's just a mind set.