Professional Lawn Fertilization St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, FL soil takes a while to absorb the nutrients in lawn fertilizer. Doing anything too active on your grass right after it’s been fertilized, such as cutting, will disrupt the process. So it’s best to wait 24-48 hours before mowing the lawn.

We recommend waiting a week after weed control for lawn fertilization. St. Augustine, FL locals will find it’s best to fertilize the soil when it’s not under any stress from weed control. Similarly, wait a few days before fertilizing the lawn after pest treatment. However, some fertilizers include weed control and work well together. Our team will work closely with you to help you determine the best course of action for your lawn.

For healthy, dense growth and vibrant appearance for St. Augustine grass, you should always consider fertilizers that provide a balanced mix of micronutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Let’s take a look at some of the best lawn fertilizers for St. Augustine grass types:

• Hi-Yield 4# Ammonium Sulfate: This type of fertilizer contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulfur, helping boost the growth and thickness of your grass. Sulfur also helps maintain soil pH balance and supports nutrient uptake.
• The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer: This is a very well-balanced fertilizer for St. Augustine grass. It has an NPK ratio of 16-4-8, which promotes healthy root development of the root system and increases tolerance to heat, cold, and drought. It even increases your lawn’s ability to withstand pests and diseases.
• Polymer-Coated Urea: This slow-release fertilizer contains 40% nitrogen and gradually supplies nutrients to the lawn for 2-6 months. This will reduce the number of fertilizer applications and minimize nutrient leaching, ensuring continuous, balanced growth.
• Down to Earth Bio-Turf 8-3-5 Fertilizer: This OMRI-certified organic fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 8-3-5 and will strengthen turfgrass tolerance to heat, cold, and drought. It will encourage strong root growth and will provide a steady supply of nutrients to the grass over 8 weeks.

While you can certainly fertilize your St. Augustine grass during the winter, it does require careful consideration to avoid damaging your lawn. Let’s take a look at some key points to consider for the best practices for St. Augustine lawn fertilizer in the winter:

• Avoid high-nutrient fertilizers: During the winter, you should avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, since they often encourage new growth that may be vulnerable to cold damage. Instead, choose fertilizers that promote healthy root growth and energy storage without stimulating excessive growth.
• Use slow-release or high-potassium fertilizers: Slow-release, high-potassium fertilizers are recommended for winter application. This will help the grass store energy for the upcoming growing season, and even enhance its resilience to the cold and disease.
• Timing of application: You should strive to apply fertilizer in the early fall before winter settles in. This will ensure that the grass has the necessary nutrients to sustain it through the colder months without promoting new growth.
• Soil conditions and pH: If necessary, you can adjust soil pH with lime or sulfur, but avoid applying them during the active growth season. The optimal pH range for St. Augustine grass is typically 6-6.5.

The best time to fertilize is during the active growing season, typically from late spring through early fall, with applications spaced every 6-8 weeks to maintain a steady nutrient supply for warm-season grasses native to Florida. Avoid heavy fertilization during winter months to prevent damage to dormant grass and reduce the risk of nutrient runoff.

Slow-release fertilizers with moderate to high nitrogen content (about 3-4%), balanced phosphorus and potassium, and micronutrients like sulfur and iron are ideal for consistent, healthy growth in the St. Augustine area. Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers reduce nutrient loss and provide steady feeding over 2-6 months, improving lawn health and reducing application frequency. In addition, organic or OMRI-certified fertilizers may be used for environmentally sensitive areas or to improve soil health over time.

Professional lawn fertilization in St. Augustine, FL is commonly performed every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season to maintain turf health without overfeeding. The University of Florida IFAS recommends fertilizing warm-season grasses like St. Augustine 3 to 5 times annually, evenly spaced throughout the active growth months. Scheduling a season-long program with your provider ensures consistent nutrient availability and reduces the chances of nutrient buildup or runoff.

Signs that indicate the need for fertilization include pale or yellowing grass, thinning turf, slow growth, and increased weed invasion, all of which indicate nutrient deficiencies. Visual turf deficiencies are often linked to nitrogen shortages, the most common limiting nutrient in Florida lawns. Schedule a soil test annually to verify nutrient levels before applying fertilizer, for targeted, cost-effective treatment.

Over-fertilization or applying at the wrong time can burn grass, cause excessive growth, or increase susceptibility to disease. Improper nitrogen application can also lead to turf stress and decline, especially during hot, dry conditions. That’s why it’s so important always to follow professional recommendations and avoid fertilizing right before extreme heat or dry spells.

St. Augustine, FL locals can turn to our team for the following lawn care and landscaping services:

• Landscaping services
• Sod installation
• Irrigation repair and installation
• Lawn fertilization and pest control
• Tree services
• Landscape lighting services
• Holiday lighting services
• Erosion mitigation
• Drainage services
• And more!

At The Grounds Guys of St. Augustine, FL, we’re the local landscaping and lawn care experts you can count on for a range of services, including fertilization! If you’re ready to schedule an appointment time with our St. Augustine lawn fertilizer specialists, contact our exceptional customer service team today to get started!