Just a tip on fertilizer for our St. Augustine Grass in the valley. Remember this, February or March and again in October or November, with a nitrogen-only application. The nutrient most needed by St. Augustine Grass is nitrogen. The amount of nitrogen in fertilizer is indicated by the first number in the fertilizer analysis on the bag or container of fertilizer. For example a 10-5-5 fertilizer is 10% nitrogen active ingredient. Phosphorous and potassium, the second two macronutrients contained in most fertilizers are less mobile and much less needed in our area. In other words, use a nitrogen-only fertilizer.
Fertilizer applied at a time when the grass is not actively growing is fertilizer down the drain, literally. Apply fertilizer once the grass starts to green up in the spring, continuing on into the early fall. Do not fertilize in the months of December thru January. The grass will be dormant during this time, and the fertilizer will leach out of the soil and into the groundwater. Additionally, during times of extreme heat in the mid-summer, if the grass turns dry and brown, it is also dormant and water stressed–not a good time for fertilizer. St. Augustine is a tough grass that is heat, cold and drought tolerant if properly cared for. Using the best fertilizer for St. Augustine grass will go a long way toward keeping this grass healthy.
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