Question
I am inquiring about the best way to go about fertilizing a commercial property full of St. Augustine grass. It is very thick and very healthy. It is right on the side of a lake and not to far from the beach, so the moisture stays good all year round. Therefore I have to be careful that I don't give it too much to handle for the winter. It is our fall feeding time here in Jacksonville, Fl and I don't want to mess this property up because I was just hired as the landscpae maintenance head for a very picky boss. What would be the safest most effective product? Thank you
                                          Josh

Answer
There's nothing like a thick St Augustine Lawn for squeezing out Weedy invaders.  But you need to know what's down under that Grass.  Do yourself a favor and get fancy Soil Test to avoid surprises and save money and headaches.  That is the most important thing you can do for a Lawn, and it is the step even pro's seem to skip.  A test will give you every piece of information you need to succeed with this gorgeous St Augustine plot.

Remember that slow-release Fertilizer is going to yield better results than fast food, no matter what you get.  That goes for everything you grow that's Green.  But also make sure you don't get carried away -- you want a HEALTHY Lawn, not a SUSCEPTIBLE one.  Too much N will come with a red carpet for Chinchbugs and Diseases.  Don't over-feed, and don't under-feed.

Now, no one knows more about fertilizing St Augustine Grass than Lawn Chemist Walter Reeves.  He posts a whole column that covers your question in detail:

http://www.walterreeves.com/lawns/article.phtml?cat=30&id=136

Walter says it loud and clear: 'Do not fertilize after mid-September.'

This Grass STOPS growing in Fall as temps diminish.  Fertilizing this time of year is a sure way to hit it over the head with too much too late.  This is NOT a Cool Season Grass.

I'd like to know what kind of St Augustine you are growing.  Try to get that i.d.'d asap so you know what you're working with.  Some types are more sensitive to drought stress, others practically grow like an established plot of 609 Buffalograss.  Cool weather triggers dormancy in Raleigh, Floratam and other St. Augustine varities where Palmetto is now famous for keeping its Green through a chill.  You want to know what this particular Lawn is capable of, and what it's not.

I also urge you to sign up for membership on the Turfgrass.com Lawns Forum:

http://turfgrass.com/index.html

Although I disagree with much of what I read there, you will see all kinds of opinions by active professionals on some very local levels (weather trends, outbreaks of certain diseases, etc) that will really help in the long run.  As much as I believe in a world without chemicals, consistency is important when you're dealing with a plot that large and established.  Stressed Grass is prone to disease, and 'stress' comes from ANY change, both good and bad.  Be careful.  Monitoring a forum will keep you informed.

That's my short answer.  Let me know if there's something you'd like more info on and I can talk about it 'til the cows come home.  But get that Soil tested.  Thanks for writing.