Best Fertilizer for St. Augustine Grass for 2023 [Our Reviews and Comparisons]

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when it comes to gardens and lawns. Nature does run its course but some soils might not be very rich in nutrients and a sparse lawn is unattractive. For the enthusiastic users who are concerned about their grass not covering the yard fast enough here is a list of fertilizers that you can use.

Ideally, you should look for fertilizers with high amounts of nitrogen and iron that act as supplements for your lawn. Apart from that when used with the right directions you can avoid burning down your lawn. Fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in other words (NPK) ratio of 4-1-2 are the preferred choice for most areas.

Best Fertilizer for St. Augustine Grass Comparison Table

Product	Features	Latest Price
1. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grasse	Very effective Affordable Non- poisonous Nutritional	CHECK PRICE
2. Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron	Very effective Easy to Use Works well Shows great results	CHECK PRICE
3. Dow AgroSciences 173917 Eagle 20EW Fungicide	Effective Provides nutrients Lush lawns	CHECK PRICE
4. The Andersons 19-0-6 Turf Fertilizer with Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide	Effective Provides nutrients Lush lawns	CHECK PRICE
5. Jonathan Green Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer	Very effective Convenient Promotes green growth Prevents recurrence	CHECK PRICE

Our Best Fertilizer for St. Augustine Grass Reviews and Comparisons

1. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grasse

Product Highlights

This product covers at least 1000 sq ft. of a lawn. The Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass is the perfect solution for your lawn. It has immensely beneficial qualities that are formed by a combination of nutrients that ensures your St. Augustine grass remains fresh and luscious.

If you are looking for what will take care of your lawn long term then this is the perfect fit. The nutrients provide the right atmosphere and environment for the new grass to grow faster due to its feature of promoting faster root and blade development. Since it also helps speed up the growth this will make sure that your lawn is always fresh and good looking.

Features

This product comes with a 24-25-4 fertilizer ratio which means that it provides the required nutrient balance for your developing lawn. It also improves seeding results and works great for sod and grass plugs. You will see a noticeable difference when the grass grows as it is 70% thicker and grows at least 35% quicker when compared to unfed grass.

It is the perfect fertilizer for St. Augustine grass. So whether you are planting new grass, starting a new lawn, or reseeding an existing one, this fertilizer is the one you should be aiming to use.

Of course, you must make sure to care for the new grass and water it once a day or as much as needed to ensure that the soil is moist. Occasionally continue feeding your lawn so it sprouts a thick, green appearance. If you ever decide to mow then finally wait to mow the area until the new grass is at least three inches tall.

What We Like About Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass

A good healthy dose of this fertilizer can actually promote thick growth making the lawn ready after winter. The difference is noticeable with a month.

What We Don’t Like About Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass

Some customers have claimed that the changes are temporary and that the lawn was left in yellow patches.

2. Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron

Product Highlights

This product works really well on St. Augustine grass if your grass is showing signs of iron deficiency. If your lawn is patchy and yellow then a spray of this will turn it into a deep, rich green.

When this concentrated liquid is be mixed with water and applied liberally with a sprayer, it shows great results. Be cautious as it will stain masonry, paint, and concrete.

Features

Weighing in at 16 oz this product does not contain any nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.
It contains 5% of iron and is specifically for use in flowers, shrubs, trees, vegetables, and lawns. Therefore it specifically is produced for yellowing grass which indicates that there is an iron deficiency. It takes care of problems and prevents them from happening again in the future. It should be used as a drenching spray.

What We Like About Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron

It is perfect for St.Augustine grass as it takes care of iron deficiency.

What We Don’t Like About Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron

If you are not careful with this product then it can stain the concrete and if you apply without gloves the smell will not come off your hands.

3. Dow AgroSciences 173917 Eagle 20EW Fungicide

Product Highlights

This product comes with a special fungal killing property. It delivers superior control of various lawns, turf, and ornamental diseases such as dollar spot and brown patch.

It works systemically to protect against new disease growth. Used both for curative and preventative control a single application of Eagle 20EW can protect plants for up to 28 days. The best thing is that you do not even require a large amount to do the job. A small amount can do the trick it’s that strong.

It is a versatile product that works systemically, through the entire plant to fully protect it and remove any infection.

It works well on established turfgrass like the St.Augustine grass. This includes residential and commercial lawns, ornamental turfgrass, grounds or lawns around business and office complexes, and golf course fairways, greenhouse. It even works on non-commercial tree fruits and vines, specifically apples, stone fruits, and grapes.

Features

It prevents and controls more than 15 fungal diseases that could affect your grass leaving it patchy and yellow. It controls leaf spot, zoysia large patch, brown patch, anthracnose, dollar spot, spring dead spot, necrotic ring spot, red thread, powdery mildew, rusts, septoria leaf spot.

It prevents the recurrence of any issues and can be applied preventatively during the growing season. If you do use it with a backpack sprayer, then you can opt for a concentration of 1.25 teaspoons mixed with 4 gallons of water. This will be enough to last a long time.

What We Like About Dow AgroSciences 173917 Eagle 20EW Fungicide

If you follow a 10 to 14-day application schedule then you can protect your plants all season long.

What We Don’t Like About Dow AgroSciences 173917 Eagle 20EW Fungicide

Since it is a suspended concentrate it may require repeated agitation while spraying.

4. The Andersons 19-0-6 Turf Fertilizer with Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Product Highlights

This is one must have a product that you should have in your garden shed at all times. St. Augustine grass requires lots of nutrients to flourish and this product provides it. Rich in nitrogen this product is ideal for the homeowner or even agriculturalist.

If you are looking for that blend that does an exceptional job for that spring green, then this is it. Not only that, but it will also prevent annual grass weeds which include crabgrass, goosegrass, annual foxtail, Poa annua; and broadleaf weeds including common chickweed, knotweed, henbit, prostrate spurge, common purslane, etc.

Features

Almost 50% of the nitrogen is derived from NutriSphere-N. This is a proprietary nitrogen management tool that enables growth and turf color showing results in 8 weeks. The active ingredient prodiamine acts as a pre-emergent herbicide providing excellent control of grassy and broadleaf weeds in established turfgrasses and lawns.

The ratio of NPK is 19-0-6 and it also contains 0.21% Barricade herbicide. If you go for the 50 lb bag then you can cover 11,100 sq ft, especially for the low coverage. Following this, you can use a measurement of 8,300 sq ft for medium coverage and 5,400 sq ft for high coverage. The sized particles consistently reduce segregation potential. This also works for crabgrass control, especially when applied after April.

What We Like About The Andersons 19-0-6 Turf Fertilizer with Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide

This product consists of a range of nutrients that is quite effective for grass to flourish.

What We Don’t Like About The Andersons 19-0-6 Turf Fertilizer with Barricade Pre-Emergent Herbicide

The coverage of this area is not as good as mentioned. This product seems to work for crabgrass but only after multiple applications.

5. Jonathan Green Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer

Product Highlights

The Jonathan Green 12400 10-0-20 Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer is perfect for outdoorsy people who take a keen interest in lawn maintenance and gardening. If you are particularly focused on marinating and rejuvenating your lawn later in the year, then this product provides the necessary nutrients to ensure full growth.

Its well-balanced formula promotes good growth and keeps your St. Augustine grass fresher looking than ever.

Features

It should ideally be applied in the fall or winter season when the lawn is comparatively dry. This container size is 15 lb and has a coverage area of 5000 sq. ft. Although it is perfectly suited for St. Augustine grass is ideal for all grass types.

It is not organic so you have to be careful while handling it. It comes in the form of granules and is not suitable for vegetables. However, it is soluble in water, meaning that you can hose down the lawn with a spreader or sprayer. The NPK ratio is 10-0-20.

This well-balanced formula, ideal for winter lawn protection contains 3% iron which is essential for the removal of yellowing and promotes the much needed deep-green color. In addition to promoting root growth, it stores nutrients for the spring season, which also makes it quite apt to use with a fall seeding. Besides, the nitrogen helps repair summer lawn damage while protecting the lawn from winter stress.
The high potassium concentrate helps to promote deep rooting and growth. It can feed the turf for up to 2 months and shows the most effective results on newly seeded lawns. It also encourages winter disease prevention while promoting early spring green-up.

What We Like About Jonathan Green Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer

This product works well when you apply it before the fall so that when spring arrives the grass is fresh and green.

What We Don’t Like About Jonathan Green Winter Survival Fall Fertilizer

This product can be quite dangerous to handle and should be kept away from children and pets.

Final Verdict

The best product that you can use on your grass is the Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron. Your grass not only needs nourishment it also needs iron that will promote its health. It is extremely effective in promoting grass health right down to the roots. This leaves your lawn looking green as ever after the dry impact of the fall and harsh effects of winter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 1. How should one use fertilizers for St.Augustine grass?

You should begin by mixing the granules before the application. Some products are chosen usually come in the form of fine granules which in turn have are meant to be mixed with water and sprayed. The instructions on the package of the fertilizer are clear as to how the granules should be mixed.
Another added advantage is that you can control how concentrated the mixture can be. You always have the option of diluting it if you require something less potent. You can also add extra water so that give yourself more time while applying it to your whole yard.
Some of the products we have selected come in the form of fine granules that are intended to be blended and sprayed with water. The fertilizer kit should have specific instructions about how to combine the granules. The great thing about this kind of fertilizer is you monitor how concentrated it is. If you want anything less strong then you can dilute it.

1. 1. Can the Fertilizer be mixed with liquids before application?

Using a sprayer is an easy way to use this fertilizer on the grass of St. Augustine. Some fertilizers come prepared and mixed in a wide bottle with an incorporated sprayer hose attachment which is one of the most convenient application methods. If you are combining either granular or liquid fertilizer, you need to get some form of a sprayer.
Hose sprayers are the simplest since, like the pre-mixed fertilizers, they are easy to use and mount right to your garden hose. Another alternative will be to invest in a sprayer. These come in several ways, usually either a tank you’re carrying around or one you can wear as a backpack. These sprayers are typically used with a pump and a wand and allow you to travel around your yard.
The simplest method of using a sprayer is first to do the edges of the grass. Then move back and forth until all of your lawn is covered. It is not easy to apply liquid fertilizer. While hose sprayers may be very convenient, it’s hard to make sure you get an even application all over your lawn.

1. 1. What is the most effective way to use products with granules?

Many granules are intended to be added directly to the lawn and not to be mixed and sprayed with water. You must be careful about applying the bottle or package side directions. If you use a transmitted spreader then it is going to be even more effective in dispersing the granules. Of course, it is no easy task, especially by hand. If you do not have a broadcast spreader, then it is suggested that you get one that is sold in most home improvement stores.
The first thing you have to do is make sure that the spreader is adjusted properly for the size of your lawn and the amount of fertilizer that you add. This calibrates the mechanism to uniformly release the granules as you head out across the yard.
To stop run-off later, fill the spreader with the granules on a rough surface, making careful to clean any spills. You can start at the edge of the lawn, and progress slowly. The easiest way to ensure that you do not lose any places is to try repeating with the wheel line left in the grass from the previous run over the lawn.
Water the grass properly, after fertilization. This releases the granules in a manner that transfers the nutrients into the soil and allows the fertilizer to spread down to the surface. It also means that the granules are not swept away with

1. 1. Should the soil be tested for phosphorus levels?

According to researchers phosphorus levels in soil hardly change especially over short periods. So, you can gather soil samples and submit them to a test lab to assess levels of phosphorus. It will be more beneficial if you can test the soil within one year of turf establishment.
Soil samples can be taken as long as the soil is not frozen at any point of the year. The optimal scenario will be to gather soil and send the sample(s) to a research laboratory as close as possible to the time of formation. Just make sure to give the laboratory time to process the samples and return your report with advice on phosphorus. Besides, construct the report in a few days to understand and buy the right quantity and type of fertilizer.

1. 1. What is the most ideal time for fertilizers to be applied to the St.Augustine Grass?

When applying a starter fertilizer, there are certain things to be kept in mind. It is ideal when you apply before seeding or before laying sod. In some cases, you can apply it after you plant your grass seed. Do not add it directly to freshly planted sod because it may occur while burning. In fact, after planting, you can wait six to eight weeks before adding another dose of balanced fertilizer to your grass so it does not burn.
The Penn State Extension advises doing a soil test when it comes to determining how much starting fertilizer for the lawn you’ll need. The test will mention exactly what nutrients in the soil need to beef up to support your turf is grown and how much is required. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three most essential nutrients that your turfgrass requires for healthy growth and health. The application of the starter fertilizer into the soil before planting has advantages.
If phosphorous and potassium are added only to the soil surface they are unable to travel quickly enough down into the earth. Moreover, nitrogen can be quickly leached from the soil before the plant even gets a chance to consume the nutrients. Therefore, it is possible to till 4 to 6 inches of soil with any additional modifications that you make. However, if you wish, after continuing to spread your grass seed, you can distribute the starter fertilizer over the site immediately.

1. 1. How should the fertilizer be applied?

If you have earned your soil test, you have chosen a good starter fertilizer for your soil and know the requisite quantities. It is relatively easy to apply to the lawn field. Simply pour the appropriate volume into a regular fertilizer spreader and distribute the starter fertilizer equally over the place of planting. If you are planting grass seed or sod after application, work the substance 4 to 6 inches into the soil until applied.
If after adding grass seed you are spraying the substance, scatter the substance over the soil and pour it into the soil. Do not go crazy in its use and assume it is easier to do something. Like for certain aspects in life, too much of a good thing can be terrible, and too much starter fertilizer can be adversely affected by burning to your growing grass. A soil test takes the suspense out of what your soil is missing and lets you know what starter fertilizer your lawn wants and how much it wants.
We hope our list of products and FAQs help you purchase the Best St. Augustine Grass Fertilizer according to your requirements.