Applying ‘Weed and Feed’ Products to St. Augustine Grass

What type of ‘weed-n-feed’ can I use that’s safe for St. Augustine grass? I’d like to apply it this fall, and I’m having a hard time finding a product labeled for use on my lawn. -Joe

As you’ve likely discovered, many broadleaf weed killers also harm St. Augustine grass. There are a few herbicides available that are rated for St. Augustine, but most of them are weed control only, not weed and feed.

A couple of thoughts about weed-and-feed products:

Unless you live in a frost-free climate, you should stop using any fertilizers at least six weeks before your average first frost date. St. Augustine is a warm-season grass that goes dormant for the winter, and you don’t want to stimulate growth that can be killed by frost. Weed-and-feed products are best reserved for spring and summer in these types of lawns.
The most common herbicide for St. Augustine lawns is Atrazine. Simply put, Atrazine is nasty stuff. It’s known to cause cancer and birth defects, and it’s showing up at alarming levels in drinking water. One look at the stern warnings on the label should make you think twice about putting it on your lawn!
A healthy lawn is naturally weed-resistant. If you have a widespread weed problem, focus instead on getting your lawn healthy, or on replacing the unhealthy lawn with groundcover or planting beds.

To help decide which herbicide to use on your lawn, check out Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns by Clemson University Extension. It includes a table that matches grass and weed types to herbicides with specific product names.

Further Information

Julie

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4 Comments on “Applying ‘Weed and Feed’ Products to St. Augustine Grass”

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Cindyrsdu Says:
April 24th, 2010 at 11:11 am

I use Expert St. Augustine weed and feed, and it does a great job. It’s by Expert and it’s just for St. Augustine grass, it will state on the bag, St. Augustine. After the St. Augustine weed and feed is down for about two months, I use the following mixture.

Lawn Care Recipe (mix all items and put into a sprayer connected to hose)
One full can of regular Cola pop (any kind-no diet soda)
One full can of beer (no light beer)
1/2 Cup of Liquid dishwashing soap (do NOT use anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid)
1/2 Cup of household ammonia
1/2 Cup of mouthwash (any brand)
1/2 -1 Cup of soaked water from steel wood pads
1/2 cup of Espsom salts (Use Epsom Salt on your lawn and in your garden)
You will notice bushier plants and brighter color blooms and your lawn will be thicker and greener. Sulfur and magnesium are vital to seed germination, production of chlorophyll and the conversion of sunlight into food. You can sprinkle the Epsom Salt in your garden around rose bushes, tomato plants, pepper plants, evergreens, azaleas, and rhododendrons, always water thoroughly after applying to get the salt into the soil at the roots. You will not have to worry about over using Epsom Salt in your yard and garden as most of the sulfur and magnesium will wash away. The salt will also keep many bugs away from sensitive plants and will also kill grubs in your yard and garden. Sprinkle with Epsom Salt on soil and work in before seeding lawn. The magnesium and sulfates help to germinate the seeds and make them stronger and healthier. You can also do this when you are starting plants for the garden from seeds.)

Magnesium is:
* A critical mineral for seed germination.
* Vital to the production of chlorophyll, which plants use to transform sunlight into food.
* An aid in the absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen, two of the most important fertilizer components.
Sulfur, the other major component of Epsom Salt, is also an important plant nutrient.

Sulfer may:
* Contribute to chlorophyll production.
* Make the primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) found in most fertilizers more effective.
neal Says:
October 18th, 2010 at 6:54 am

Hi Julie-

I have an area in my yard (Houston) where grass does not grow well. Each year, I replace the soil and add new sod, spray for grubs, etc., but it always starts to flourish, then dies, ending up as brown and hard ugliness.

Question: the area in question is lighted with a nighteime flood light. Would this nightime light affect the growth cycle and inhibit it rooting properly?
Jim Clark Says:
March 3rd, 2011 at 2:44 pm

My long established St. Augustine lawn (in Mobile, AL) appears to be afflicted with “SAD” – St. Augustine Decline. Internet sources indicate the only way to fight this viral desease is to plant plugs of resistant strains – specifically: Floratam, Floralawn, Raleigh, and Seville. I have not been able to find a place in the Mobile, Alabama area that sells any of these varieties. Do you know where I could get some? Thanks!
Michele Says:
March 10th, 2011 at 1:11 pm

I have an established st. augustine lawn in terrell, texas. Unfortunately my lawn is over run with weeds. What household products can’t I use to weed & feed my lawn?

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