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Fertilizer and St Augustine grass make a cracking combo . When just cultural practices are combined with proper fecundation applications through the integral growing time of year , the end event is a salubrious , vigorous carpet of pasturage .
To sustain a healthy lawn , one that can handle environmental stress like drought , plus compete withgrass fungus and disease , grey folio smear , brown patch , base hogwash lawn weeds & pest , insects like the southerly bedbug bug andsod webworm plan of attack , proper fertilization practices and fertilizer amounts play a dominant persona .
In today ’s world of “ immature ” many states , counties and cities are passing laws , regulations and ordinance governing fertilizer program and best recitation in applying plant food to lawn .
These regulations , laws , and ordinances are designed to reduce the pollution voltage of water resources due to the applications programme of superfluous fertilizer , result in fertilizer runoff and other ethnical practices . However , even with these limitations , homeowner can still keep a healthy lawn .
In the case of St Augustine grass care , dressing plays a big role to make it take care at its best and come up with a beautiful lawn .
St Augustine eatage is a strong season type of lawn dope with medium to mellow difficulty of alimony . It spreads with the help of above reason stolons , also called base runner .
The fond - time of year dope is a popular choice in tropical and subtropical realm that create a thick , carpet - like sod . It crowd out other types such as bermuda grass , argentine bahiagrass and centipede grass .
Among its many cultivars include :
The bugger - propagating grass has gamey drought and fill in tolerance level . It grows its best in a tropical setting and happen often in Marsh , lagoons , and shoreline where moisture is always present .
Soil Test For The Best Fertilizer Results
Beforeselecting any weed fertilizeror embark on aseasonal lawn carefertilizer programme for your St Augustine grass ( stenotaphrum secundatum ) , have a soil mental testing done .
The final result of the stain mental testing will “ secernate ” you the soil pH and what the nutrient levels are of the 16 essential elements needed for proper ontogeny and appearance .
If any of these crucial elements are missing or low in the soil , they can be “ adjusted ” through plant food applications .
16 Essential Elements Required by Lawn Grasses
The big 3 macronutrients – nitrogen ( N ) , phosphorus ( P ) , and atomic number 19 ( K ) are the ones we see posted on fertiliser bags , and needed by St Augustine eatage in the greatest quantity .
The other macronutrients , Mg , atomic number 20 , and sulfur are required as well but in little quantities .
Do n’t think micronutrients are not of import , they are essential but in much smaller quantities .
turn back with your local prolongation office for selective information and pedagogy on taking a soil sample and submitting them for a laboratory for a detailed soil analysis . This will help in selecting the best fertilizer for St Augustine green goddess for your chiliad .
Why is a Soil Test Important?
The more you cognize the better choices you’re able to make on the type , amount of fertilizer , proportion , and analysis of the yard fertilizer you take for your St Augustine .
For lesson , in Florida where the St Augustine skunk plant is the most popular grass - grown , most grease throw sufficient level of phosphorous .
The good way to determine the grade of phosphoric in your soil is with a soil exam . Phosphorous is the P in N - phosphorus - K on a plant food handbag … the 2d number . Once a lawn is establish , phosphorous is not needed very often .
This is why when a homeowner examines most of the labels of lawn fertilizers in Florida , they find low quantity or goose egg phosphorous on the bag .
The State of Florida has also mandated inFlorida Rule ( 5E-1.003)fertilizer software charge per unit . The rule say that the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied can not exceed 1 Ezra Loomis Pound per 1000 straight feet of turf grass for any covering .
For information on determininghow much fertilizerthis peer , refer to our article on understanding“NPK in Fertilizer and What Is In The Bag ? ” .
Selecting Lawn Fertilizers for St Augustine Grass
So , what is the best fertilizer for St Augustine grass ?
When selecting a St. Augustine grass fertilizer , keep in head ones containing tedious release N provide a longer long-lasting , wearisome alimentation to your grass . Plus , theslow release atomic number 7 generally is considered saferfor the surroundings and your lawns .
Many fertiliser are known by their conceptualization or make up , such as 6 - 6 - 6 or 12 - 4 - 8 .
plant food mixes comprise N , P and K are called complete fertilizer which are used on many turfgrasses . The numbers on the fertiliser base recording label indicate the percentage of each of these food .
For illustration , a 12 - 4 - 8 fertilizer mixture , check 12 % Total Nitrogen , 4 % AvailablePhosphorusand 8 % Soluble potassium hydroxide . So 100 pounds of 12 - 4 - 8 would comprise 12 lb of nitrogen amount , 4 lbs of usable phosphate , and 8 pound of potash .
For a quick unripened and speedy growth soluble signifier of N are used in many over fertiliser . Below are some soluble forms of nitrogen :
tedious - release informant of atomic number 7 :
St. Augustine like most turfgrasses are very effective at absorbing nitrogen . For this grounds , St. Augustine needs more frequent and in high spirits rates of nitrogen compared to the other nutrient .
dependable growth and color often is reach with a 70/30 proportion of soluble nitrogen and slow - departure fertiliser sources .
A proportion of 3 - 1 - 2 ( N - P - K ) is a good overall fertiliser mix for the St Augustine lawn .
But , you will also find admixture of lawn fertilizers like a 26 - 2 - 14 , 26 - 2 - 11 , 15 - 0 - 15 , and 10 - 5 - 10 fertiliser for St Augustine , in states like Florida where soils comprise adequate sum of phosphorous and small or no phosphorous may be required for the lawn .
Many homeowners strike a high timbre grass must be dark green and fast - grow . However , often excess atomic number 7 leads to dark green color , excessive growth and thatched roof .
This can result in pasture need to be mowed more frequently , and potentially nitrogen leach into the reason water .
Although the third element in N - P - K – Potassium the K , plays the influencing role in root growth . It is 2nd to nitrogen in the demand needed in a total fertilisation curriculum to obtain optimal emergence .
Should you practice an Organic or Inorganic ( chemical ) Fertilizer ?
There is much discussion on which fertiliser type is best – organic or inorganic fertilizer . Both have advantages and disadvantages . Grass can not tell the difference .
When To Fertilize St Augustine Grass
When fertilizing St Augustine dope , fertiliser should be applied 2 - 6 times during the year from spring green - up through drop , unless you live in south Florida .
Watch out in applying fertilizer too early in the spring rise season , especially in northerly areas where late - season frost may damage new cutter ontogeny . The same holds true in fertilizing lately in the year after growth has become less active .
The southern part of Florida where year round temperatures are warmer , St Augustine grass grow class around and the fertilizer program continue twelvemonth - rung as well .
As you move up the state to Central Florida ( Orlando area ) the first program of lawn fertiliser should be done around other April . The last fertilizer applications programme of the season should occur around mid - October .
move to the northern region ( Ocala northward and across the southern US ) the first software of lawn plant food should be done around mid - April or about 3 week after the grass start to turn light-green .
The last fertilizer lotion of the season in the north should hap around the end of September . As you move farther north last applications should end in the beginning .
Beware : Keep in nous when use plant food , never apply more fertiliser per app program than the urge rate of 0.5 of soluble nitrogen per 1,000 sq substructure . Applying too much can lead in lawn fertiliser burn .
related to Reading : St. Augustine Grass Lawn Maintenance Schedule
Final St Augustine Fertilizer Tips
When stack away plant food always store in a location where the fertilizer will stay ironic . Never store near fuels or pesticides .
When applying fertilizer with a broadcast spreader for case , many times plant food “ prills ” will bump their way to the driveway or sidewalk .
It is best to sweep the prills up or utilize a leaf blower , rather then using irrigation or a hosiery to wash the fertilizer forth with water . This helps foreclose fertilizers unparalleled ability to find its way into pee provision .
Conclusion
For in effect results in “ growing ” a cracking look St Augustine lawn , originate by getting a dirt test . utilise fertilizer to your lawn according to the recommendations of the soil trial , follow the label , pout 1/3 of the grass blade and irrigate when rainwater does not supply enough water .
source : UF|UAImage : Sod Solutions
