when to fertilize in zone 8b

Hey, while we are at it, I'd like to know when is best for 7b, St Augustine, too. lol

Oh, and what type of fertilizer is recommended?

My grass is still yellow, but the weeds and burmuda still trying to take over are a nice healthy green...pbbblllltttt...

I can give you the Austin 8b fertilizing schedule for my St Augustine if it helps. During Feb., we treat the lawn with a pre-emergent to kill any weeds. We don't fertilize yet, because that would just make the weeds grow too. Also treat the lawn with a fungicide if if it's had a history of brown patch problems. Then in April, after the second time you've mowed, fertilize with a 3-1-2 ratio product (aerate first, if needed). And water it in well. Mow every 5-7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn, so the fertilizer that was absorbed into the grass falls back to new grass. Keep St. Augustine at 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Hope that helps....there's probably a lot of lawn info on the TX A&M website...(tamu) for particular zones....

On the other hand, if you have centipede, they recommend feeding once, about three weeks after the grass starts greening up.

I start my fertilizing regime around Feb. 14th each year..I broadcast Alfalfa Pellets with Epsom Salts on my lawn...I also fertilize and prune all my roses and Clematis...Jeanne

A lot depends on how long the grass has been established, at least for St. Augustine. Mine has been in place ten years and is so entrenched a bulldozer would be needed to remove it. Weeds just don't stand a chance. I haven't fertilized every year, but should probably do so soon. I like the idea of the pellets, Jeanne...thanks! For the occasional brown patch I spread potting soil about an inch thick on it as the greening starts and water it. In about a week the new runners have covered it. Yuska

Yuska..just put them in your Spreader and open it wide enough for the pellets to come out..no weed and feed for me and my lawn is gorgeous...everyone asks what I do for it to be so lush and green..I do that every other month....Jeanne

Jeanne, why do you add Epsom salt to the pellets. Interesting thought.

Epsom Salts contains Magnesium and Sulfur which:
Help seeds germinate
Make plants grow bushier
Produce more flowers
Increase chlorophyll production
Improve phosphorus and nitrogen uptake
so in essence it helps the grass to utilize the Alfalfa Pellets better...You might find this site interesting...I also love putting it in my Alfalfa Tea for my Roses and Clematis!!..and all my fruit trees like it too!!....Jeanne
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_why_it_works.htm

I follow a general rule for St. Augustine: The dates are approx but the times are what seems to work for us.
We fertilize at Easter (about last of Mar. or first of April), Memorial Day, July 4th, and the last application of the year about Labor Day w/a 3-1-2 (21-7-14) or as close as we can get to that approximation and do not use weed and feed. The idea is that if your lawn is healthy it will "drown" out the weeds. We cut high and mulch the grass so that the grass then continues to act as a mulch and compost to hold in the water. We NEVER bag our grass but those who use a weed and feed feel the necessity to do so. Hope this helps.

Ann

Thanks Jeanne. My roses need some help.

I'd like to clarify my statement regarding ''treating weeds with a pre-emergent.'' I did not mean Weed and Feed. We've had great success with just corn gluten as a treatment. It has also eliminated brown patch (which will return each fall if not eradicated) in our front yard, as well as our neighbors' yard. We live near Barton Creek and have very little top soil over limestone rock. We try not to use anything that may leach into the creek or the aquifer.
As my garden grows, my grass goes....away.....

Bigbubbles, lol I like your "as my garden grows, my grass goes away". I need that etched in a stone marker or something. My goal is not to need grass in my back yard atleast. We use corn meal gluten also. It's also very good fertilizer.

Where do you find corn gluten?

We buy it at a feed store here. You should be able to find it at any nursery that has organic supplies. And feed stores can get it. You may hae to order it. Most places try to stock what people ask for the most.

Thanks for all of your help. In browsing around, I also went to TAMU....should have done that in the first place.
Have used epsom salts in the past and gotten very good results. My lawn is in good shape but I always am looking for more information and this is the best place in the world. I am addicted to DG because of the people who post. Unbelievable group of people who don't know the meaning of the word "selfish". A great neighborhood.

God is good .

Louc

Amen to that LouC!!!!

Thanks Silverfluter!

I was poking around Buchanan's website and it says they have it too. I'm trying to convince my hubby that we should mount an expedition to Buchanan's soon.

This message was edited Feb 27, 2007 9:57 PM