St. Augustine grass is a warm-season turfgrass commonly used for lawns, parks, and coastal areas in tropical and subtropical climates. Its blades are broad, flat, and vibrant green. The grass forms a dense, carpet-like lawn that is attractive and comfortable to walk on.
This grass loves nutrients and flourishes when nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are provided regularly. A suitable fertilizer is needed to provide the grass with these essential nutrients, keep it healthy, and make it appear lush green. When grass is given the proper nutrients, it grows with an efficient root system.
Growcycle is the top-rated place to get the best St. Augustine Grass Fertilizers. These fertilizers provide the essential nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to keep the grass healthy and lush green.
Characteristics of St. Augustine Grass:
St. Augustine grass is popular for residential and commercial lawns in warm, coastal, and sunny regions because of the following features:
- Growth Habit: It spreads through its stem, forming a thick, dense turf that helps suppress weeds and covers the ground quickly.
- Blade Appearance: The grass looks lush and vibrant green due to its coarse-textured, broad, flat blades, which usually range in width from a quarter to a half inch.
- Best Climate: It is a warm-season grass growing actively during summer. It thrives and performs best in warm, humid climates.Â
- Shade Tolerance: It is among the warm-season grasses that tolerate more shade. It thrives in full sun but can grow in partial shade or filtered sunlight.
- Soil Adaptability: This grass can grow in various soil types, but it likes sandy, loamy, or well-drained soils. It is perfect for coastal regions because of its mild tolerance to salt.
- Maintenance Needs: St. Augustine grass needs regular irrigation, fertilization, and mowing to stay healthy and vibrant.
- Drought Tolerance: It can tolerate short dry spells if watered carefully, but unlike other grasses, it cannot survive drought.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: St. Augustine grass is vulnerable to diseases like gray leaf spots and pests like chinch bugs. Therefore, it must be looked after with care to avoid these diseases.Â
Why does St. Augustine Grass need Fertilizers?
St. Augustine grass needs fertilization to maintain its health, color, and growth because it depends on essential nutrients for proper development. It needs nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to support growth, strengthen its root system, and maintain its lush green color. Natural soil nutrient levels may not always be sufficient to fulfill these needs. The grass fills in empty areas and dominates weeds because of fertilization.
When fertilized, grass can better deal with environmental stresses like heat, drought, and footsteps. A well-nourished lawn is less likely to get diseases like gray leaf spots, which may damage St. Augustine grass. Fertilization also allows grass to recover quickly from stress caused by mowing, drought, or pest damage.
Best Fertilizers For St. Augustine Grass
The best fertilizers for St. Augustine grass contain essential nutrients in the right balance, such as:
Nitrogen-Rich Fertilizers
St. Augustine grass requires nitrogen to grow lush and vibrantly green. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer, such as a 16-4-8 or 15-5-10 ratio, is usually recommended. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers are ideal because they provide nutrients slowly, promoting healthy development without regular mowing.
Phosphorus Content
Phosphorus is necessary for root development, especially when planting new lawns or repairing damaged areas. Use phosphorus fertilizer only if a soil test indicates a deficiency, as too much phosphorus can harm the environment.
Potassium-Rich Fertilizers
Potassium improves the grass’s stress tolerance and resistance to diseases. If potassium levels are low, fertilizers like 10-10-10 or 15-0-15 are suitable.
Micronutrient-Enriched Fertilizers
Micronutrients like iron, magnesium, and sulfur improve the color and overall health of St. Augustine grass.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic options, such as compost, bone meal, or seaweed-based fertilizers, slowly release nutrients and improve soil health.
Recommended Fertilizers for St. Augustine Grass
Fertilizer products are recommended for St. Augustine grass based on its nutrient needs and growth conditions. Here are some commonly used fertilizers for this grass:
1. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food
This fertilizer product has an NPK Ratio of 32-0-10. Its high nitrogen content promotes lush, green growth. It is formulated for Southern lawns, including St. Augustine grass. It includes potassium to help the lawn tolerate stress and drought.
2. Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer
This fertilizer product has an NPK Ratio of 30-0-4. It is recommended because it contains fast-acting nitrogen, which promotes green color quickly. It also includes slow-release nitrogen for long-term nutrition. This product is excellent for keeping a lush, healthy lawn.
3. Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
This fertilizer product has an NPK Ratio of 6-4-0. It is an organic option with slow-release nitrogen and iron, which increases greenery without excessive growth. It is also environmentally friendly and improves soil health.
4. Lesco St. Augustine Lawn Fertilizer
It has a 16-4-8 NPK ratio. This product is made explicitly for St. Augustine grass. It includes phosphorus in a well-balanced nutrient mix for root development. The formula’s gradual release ensures consistent nutrition.
5. The Andersons PGF Complete Fertilizer
It has a 16-4-8 NPK ratio. Its fine particle size ensures even distribution in the lawn. It contains humic acid to improve soil nutrient uptake. It is ideal for St. Augustine grass in all growth stages.
6. Safer Brand Lawn Restore Fertilizer
It contains NPK in the ratio 10-0-6. This fertilizer is made of organic materials that are safe for children and pets. It promotes drought resistance and deep roots and can supply nourishment for eight weeks.
7. GreenView Fairway Formula Fertilizer
It contains NPK in the ratio 29-0-10. It’s recommended for its high nitrogen content for vibrant green growth. Potassium helps the lawn handle environmental stress. It covers large areas, making it cost-effective.
FAQs
What is St. Augustine grass best used for?
St. Augustine grass is perfect for residential lawns, parks, and coastal areas because of its thick growth, beautiful look, and slight shade tolerance. It is also widely used in warm, humid climates.
How much water does St. Augustine grass need?
St. Augustine grass needs around 1-1.5 inches of water per week, including rain. Deep and frequent irrigation promotes a robust root system.
Can St. Augustine grass handle foot traffic?
St. Augustine grass can tolerate moderate foot traffic. Areas with high traffic volumes might need extra attention or support.
The Bottom Line
Gardeners can maintain the health of their St. Augustine grass throughout the year by selecting the right fertilizer according to lawn requirements and applying it when needed. Visit Growcycle to explore various fertilizer options for St. Augustine grass. These fertilizers can keep lawns healthy and beautiful.
Also Read: Top 10 Fertilizer Companies in 2024 Based on Their Revenue
