St. Augustine Weed Assistance

munstermank – posted 25 June 2008 09:36

I live in Jacksonville, Florida and have a St. Augustine grass. I am trying to get this weed under control. I have tried to identify it and have not been able to do so to this point. I have used Scotts Weed and Feed and it appears to have fed this weed as it is growing quite well. Eight days ago I used Image and treated the whole yard with a watering type dispenser and watered it in. That does not appear to be doing anything. I would really appreciate any assistance with identification and eradicating this weed. I have pictures at the following site.http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/munstermank/weeds/

Regards,Kathy Munsterman

Almaroad – posted 01 July 2008 12:40

Kathy: This is an easy one: Spurge! Use Atrazine. Find it at Lowes in a 4% solution. Mix according to directions in a handheld sprayerand spray throughly. It will take a while to take effect so hit it about 2-3 intervals. You could pull it out which will help immediately. It had a surface root system and one long tap.

munstermank – posted 01 July 2008 15:48

Thank you very much for your response. Will the atrazine harm the existing St. Augustine grass that is growing. The spurge is growing within the grass. Even with a hand held sprayer there will be no avoiding getting this on the grass. Thanks for your assistance.

Almaroad – posted 02 July 2008 04:06

No it will not harm the grass. It is what is know as a selective herbicide. The only thing that is important is that it should be applied only when the temps are below 85 or so. There are other things that you can use also, but if this is the “Biggie”, Atrazine is your friend. Another added feature is that it is a a little pre-emergent. Inthat any sprouting weeds will be killed. Watch you temps, apply in the evening when there’s a window of below 90 temps.

munstermank – posted 02 July 2008 14:44

Thank you very much for your assistance. Went to Lowes last night and picked up Image with Atrazine 4%. Will look for the appropriate temp below 85, hopefully within the next couple of evenings to apply with the handheld sprayer. With your assistance maybe I will get to see grass instead of spurge. If I attempted pulling all of the spurge out of the lawn, I would be a couple of weeks just pulling. I would like to get yard of the month one of these years. Thank you very much.

Regards,Kathy M

Almaroad – posted 03 July 2008 07:43

Another something: St.Augustine needs 1lb./1000sq. ft of Nitrogen/5-6weeks. Do you have a company to fertilize your yard? If not, buy you a spreader and fertilize the turf with a good 15-0-15. In a 50lb bag there is 7.5 lb of nitrogen or enough to cover 7500sf. of turf. Give it a little water and perhaps some iron applied with a hose-end applicator 1/month and that yard of the month is in the bag. Of course there is an issue of micro-nutrients, fungas, insects, pruning and on and on. Best of luck Roy