Fertilization

Fertilization

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[ Home ] [ St Augustine ] [ Weed Control ] [ Disease ] [ Pest Control ] [ Irrigation ] [ Soil Conditions ] [ Fertilization ] [ Statement of Work ] [ Agreement ] [ Yearly Schedule ]

Fertilizing Your Florida Lawn.

Professional lawn care providers have developed special formulations unavailable to the general public that use both methods. In other words, don't make a selection of a lawn care provider based on whether or not they use the granular or the liquid methods of applying fertilizers to your lawn.

St. Augustine grass is responsive to nitrogen fertilizer in terms of color and growth rate. On sandy soils St. Augustine grass requires about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per month during the growing season to maintain satisfactory color and density. At rates above 1 pound per 1,000 square feet, St. Augustine grass produces lush growth that is highly susceptible to insects and diseases. On heavier textured soils ° pound of nitrogen every month is adequate to maintain good color and growth. Thatch accumulation is also a problem when nitrogen fertilization exceeds the required rate.

Late fall fertilization of St. Augustine grass helps maintain color and density of the lawn into the winter and promotes early recovery of the grass in the spring. Thus, to extend the length of time a St. Augustine lawn is attractive, the lawn should receive about 1 pound of nitrogen every 30 to 60 days from early spring through late fall.

St. Augustine grass is sensitive to iron deficiency and readily develops chlorotic symptoms in alkaline or iron deficient soils. This deficiency can be corrected with foliar applications or iron sulfate or iron chelate. Soil applications of iron sources are less effective than foliar application in alkaline soils.

Liquid:

PROS: Liquid fertilizer applied to the grass blade and absorbed into the plants system takes effect quickly. Liquid fertilizer transfers from the grass blade to the grass roots where it is stored for future use. Some liquid fertilizer is applied to the soil surface where it gradually percolates into the topsoil layer over a period of time.

CONS: If heavy rain or watering occurs before the fertilizer has had time to be absorbed, some benefits of the application, may be dissipated. Liquid fertilizers are short lived compared to time-released granular applications.

Granular:

PROS: Feeds grass plants the natural way, through the root system. Time release properties of the granular pellets provides long term benefits to the health of the grass plant.

CONS: Takes a long time for fertilizer to soak in. If heavy rains occur any time during the lifetime of the granular pellets, important nutrients may be washed away and thus becomes ineffective.

We use Lesco Products

By far the best approach to a proper fertilization program is to soil test, but if a soil test is not available these guidelines can be used for a general turf grass fertilization program. All plants require certain chemical elements for proper growth and appearance.

Call for a Free Consultation.

Many common commercial fertilizers are known by their grade, such as 16-4-8, 10-10-10 or 6-6-6. A complete fertilizer contains N, P and K. The numbers indicate the percentage of each of these nutrients. A 16-4-8 fertilizer, for example, contains 16% Total Nitrogen, 4% Available Phosphorus and 8% Soluble Potash Besides the primary elements (N, P and K) the fertilizer may contain secondary plant foods or Micronutrients

Yearly Outline:

Spring Fertilization (Feb. /Mar.) “Weed & Feed” dry fertilizer.

Late Spring Treatment (Apr./May) A preventive insecticide spray treatment gets a start against infestations of chinch bugs with a supplemental fertilizer for the lawn.

Summer Treatment 1(June/July) Summer rains and high temperatures create the need for an insecticide treatment and a supplemental fertilizer (Ironite) to keep lawns green.

Summer Treatment 2(August/ Sept) Summer rains and high temperatures create the need for an insecticide treatment and a supplemental fertilizer (Ironite) to keep lawns green.

Fall Treatment (Oct./Nov.) “Weed & Feed” dry fertilizer.

Winter Treatment (Dec/Jan) Potash application builds stress resistance protecting the lawn from drought, disease and pests while encouraging root growth

Late fall fertilization of St. Augustine grass helps maintain color and density of the lawn into the winter and promotes early recovery of the grass in the spring. Thus, to extend the length of time a St. Augustine lawn is attractive, the lawn should receive about 1 pound of nitrogen every 30 to 60 days from early spring through late fall.

St. Augustine grass is sensitive to iron deficiency and readily develops chlorotic symptoms in alkaline or iron deficient soils. This deficiency can be corrected with foliar applications or iron sulfate or iron cheated. Soil applications of iron sources are less effective than foliar application in alkaline soils.

For Further Detailed Information Visit the University of Florida Link.

Florida Lawn Care

Another Good Link

Credit is given to the UF/IFAS the BEST Web Site on Florida Landscape Maintenance

Thank You For Giving Us the Opportunity to Serve You!

Phone: (321) 454-0906

Fantasy Lawns Inc. ^SM
P.O. Box 54-2250

Merritt Island - Florida - 32954-2250

e-mail: Info@fantasylawns.com

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