St. Augustine Fertilizer Burn

Jimmy Neighbors – posted 01 July 2002 09:02

I have St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Meyer’s Zoysia grass in separate areas of my yard. When I fertilize in the cooler months of spring and autumn using 29-3-4 fertilizer, all of the grasses respond perfectly. However, during the hot summer months, the Bermuda and Zoysia handle the fertilizer with no absolutely problems, but the St. Augustine is severely burned. I’m applying the fertilizer at the instructed rate and irrigating immediately. Should I be using a different fertilizer on the St. Augustine? If so, which one should I use? Any other advice on fertilizing St. Augustine? Thanks.

Turfguy – posted 01 July 2002 14:43

Jimmy, If applied at the correct amounts that fertilizer should not burn the St. Augustine grass. Your lawn may have what is known as gray leaf spot disease which is very common on St. Augustine and might be confused as fertilizer burn. Its damage can be worsened by fertilizer applications. I would recommend that you take a turf sample to a plant pathologist or your local extension service to have possitive identification made. If it is gray leaf spot it will need to be sprayed with a fungicide. There are many on the market for use on this disease. Be sure to read and follow all label directions.

Wolverine – posted 17 April 2004 07:43

I’ve been researching the proper type of fertilizer to use on my Palmetto St. Augustine this morning. One of the articles I read suggested that high content Nitrogen fertilizers should only be used in the winter. They recommended a formula of n-p-k 3-1-2 (15-5-10, 21-7-14, etc.). I have also seen recommendations for 15-0-15 or 18-0-18. Hope this helps!

PS. Until this past October, I also had Emerald Zoysia and Bermuda. I have switched all of this to Palmetto St. Augustine now since the Palmetto will survive in shade!