Help! St. Augustine Advice for a 1st Time Homeowner

bightodd – posted 07 November 2007 18:51

I’m a new homeowner in Texas and I’ve been fighting what feels like a losing battle in my yard between my St. Augustine and crabgrass (I’m sure it’s Crabgrass becasue it’s got the green and redish blade/vine and looks like all the pictures).

I’m hand weeding the crabgrass and re-sodding areas where it dominates. What products should I buy, and when should I use them, in order to put up a good defense? (I don’t want to use Image to try to attack it, since weeding/replacing seems to work)

Also, I have a feeling that the “soil” the builders put under my sod was nothing more than dug up dirt from the site, mixed with drywall bits, cigarette butts, and empty cans. Is there a good way to revitalize my soil to make sure the St. Augustine has what it needs?

Finally, if it’s not too much to ask, I could really use some advice to make sure sure I’m watering and fertilizing correctly throughout the year, as well as mowing at the right heigth. Any advice there?

Any help is appreciated!!!

Almaroad – posted 20 November 2007 15:48

Todd: Crabgrass is an annual weed! You’ve got to prevent the seed from spouting next year using a GOOD pre-em at the right time. The right time is to use Dimension 0-0-7 between February 15- March 15. This will keep a lot of weeds that spout early from germination. Then use a 19-2-17 with Dimension about the end of April. Crabgrass generally shows up in late June. Your Dimension is good for about 60-90 days depending on how much you irrigate. I think it would be wise to put another application of Dimension down about end of June-to July 15th. This is sorta expensive but once you are rid of the crabgrass the May 1 application should be enough. St. Augustine loves it’s Nitrogen. Check out the Lesco site. There’s a fertilizer schedule that will probably help you out significantly.

Alex_in_FL – posted 23 November 2007 11:09

Todd:

For crabgrass:

Try spot spraying with Roundup (or use a glove and sponge if needed). Then, like the previous poster said, use a good pre-emergent in the spring. This helps with crabgrass and all other weeds and is one of the best bangs for the buck you can get.

Revitalizing your yard:

For best results, take a soil sample to your county extension agent.

Alternatively, put out a slow release fertilizer with iron and micronutirients (I like Lesco brand products).

General lawn (Floratam)

Use a mulching mower, cut grass to about 3.5 inches (Floratam) and cut when it gets 4.5 – 5 inches high. Watering depends upon soil but 2 x per week at 3/4 inch is plenty!! Less is better (lawns may need water if blades are folded or footprints remain visible).

Hope this helps!

Alex