Question
I recently purchased a north Florida home with a St. Augustine lawn that had been mistreated. Last year we managed to push out most of the weeds and maintain a lush growth on both front and back yards before the neighborhood chinch bug infestation. The front lawn recovered fully and the backyard still has a few bare patches but runners are growing into these areas. However, in both front and backyards we have started to have problems with the emergence of broad leaf weeds. The backyard weed problem I have managed to control due to the grass being stronger, but the weeds in the front have started to take over the whole lawn. I tried a weed and feed early November which fed the weeds and thinned the grass further. Now after last weeks frost the front lawn is brown with an ever spreading blanket of weeds which I am scared to chemically treat because of the fear of killing off the emerging grass. I intend to be a good lawn Daddy this weekend and mow the front lawn/weed garden but any other advice on controlling these weeds would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Simon


Answer
The reality here is that you will need to select a good selective herbicide (ie: kills weeds, not grass) that is safe for St. Augustine.

http://www.amdro.com/Image/St-Augustine/index.html

That link will show you one product that should work pretty well depending upon how well it has been applied. I'm sure there are others.

I'd recommend waiting until the St. Augustine has come out of dormancy, then carefully apply the product as the label shows. Sometimes it takes a few applications, but the effort should be worth it.

Good luck!

C.J. Brown
www.TheLawnCoach.com