Dchall_San_Antonio wrote:
We're getting a little off the original topic but here goes.
With organic fertilizers, your wallet is the limiting factor. I know people who miscalculated their acreage and ended up applying soy bean meal (very high in protein) at 100 pounds per 1,000 square feet, five times a year, with no ill effects. In fact, they have incredible lawns!! As far as the soil and grass are concerned, you cannot fertilize too much with organics.
There are three things that naturally control weeds in your turf. Water, mowing height, and fertilizer.
1. Water deeply and infrequently. This approach allows the soil surface to dry out between waterings. I realize Mother Nature will have her say in this but you do not need to encourage wet soil by watering more frequently. Wet soil is what weed seeds need to germinate.
2. Set your mower to the highest setting and weld it in place. St Augustine NEVER needs to be mowed lower than the highest setting. EVER. If you do not weld it in place, someone, some day, will come along and borrow your mower. They will reset it to a lower setting and you will scalp your yard. Tall grass also discourages weeds. You will never have a dandelion with tall St Augustine.
3. Fertilize regularly. I see you plan to do that and your choice of corn meal is excellent. By following the above two steps and fertilizing monthly with corn meal (a weaker preemergent material), you should never see weeds again.
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Thank YOU so much!
I am printing this one.