"Norminn" wrote in message
...


EggRaid wrote:
I fired TruGreen because the ended up killing my grass rather than
making it
beautiful.

I want to do this myself and bought a broadcast speader and a bag of
weed 'n
feed.

The instructions tell me how to apply it, but not the frequency or WHEN.

So I ask:

When do I apply this ( I live in San Antonio, Tx, and have St. Augustine
grass)
And
How frequently do I do it?

Thanks

ER



I live in Florida, have St. Augustine. Worked hard with hubby for two
years to rehab a badly neglected lawn in our condo. In general, weed
and feed products are not a good choice, and certainly not good for
continuous use. If a lawn is full of broadleaf weeds, a broadleaf weed
killer is best to use when the lawn has been fertilized and watered
properly, and not under stress from heat or lack of water. Your county
or state probably has an extension service website, and experts on hand
to help identify weeds and other lawn problems. The best, most cost
effective plan is to first learn how to water and cut the grass
properly, as that is the best weapon to fight weeds, disease and insect
problems.

We first used Weeb b' Gone for Southern Grasses, by Ortho. Seems like
it was specifically safe for SA grass. Some products are ok for SA, but
not for Floratam variety. I think that Ortho has changed their
formulations, and sell a variety of similar products for southern
grasses. Some contain atrazine, which I believe is more toxic to
wildlife. Atrazine is useful as a pre-emergent for crab grass and
similar weed, but very specific as to timing of application and
precautions.

Everything on a label is important, as to precautions and application.
One app. of a broadleaf weed killer should do the trick - after that,
proper maintenance and spot treatment often do the trick. Here is a
link to one Ortho prod., but local resources may have better information
about safe products, specific problems, etc. You will save time and
money, in the long-run, by learning good practices and being consistent.

St. Augustine, when growing well, crowds out weeds, and obviates the need
for weed killer. Here in California, St. Augustine in dormant from October
through February. I notice that weeds have more opportunity to come up in
that period, but that ends when the grass comes out of dormancy.