How to Get Rid of Weeds in St. Augustine Green Grass

Weeds attack unhealthy lawns.

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm-season grass and the most common lawn grass in the state of Florida. Like all turf grasses, St. Augustine grass will crowd out weeds if it is kept healthy. Should the grass become weak from disease, weeds can get a toehold and take over. Some weeds, such as clover, appear in cool weather, while St. Augustine is dormant. Other weeds grow when the weather warms up and St. Augustine grass is green and growing.

Things You'll Need

• Tarp
• Tank sprayer

Instructions

1. Deliver a sample of the weeds growing in your St. Augustine grass to your local county cooperative extension office for identification. Ask the agent for recommendations as to which herbicide is best to use on your lawn.

2. Cover desirable landscape plants, and the soil around them, with a tarp.

3. Pour the herbicide into the tank sprayer at the rate suggested on the label.

4. Spray the lawn evenly with the herbicide or spot spray, as per suggestions from the extension agent.

5. Wait until the following day to water.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not allow people or pets onto the lawn until the herbicide has dried.

• Do not apply herbicide if the lawn is dry, the temperature is over 85 degrees F., or if it is windy.

• Wear protective clothing, gloves and a breathing mask when working with herbicides.

References

• Texas Cooperative Extension: St. Augustine Grass ?
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: St. Augustinegrass For Florida Lawns
• "Landscape Management:Planting and Maintenance of Trees, Shrubs and Turfgrass";James R.Feucht and Jack D.Butler; 1988