SWFL St. Augustine Lawn Guide: Fertilizer Blackout → October Game Plan

Southwest Florida’s rainy-season fertilizer blackout limits nitrogen and phosphorus to protect waterways. That doesn’t mean your Floratam St. Augustine lawn has to fade. Here’s how we keep lawns healthy during blackout — and how we boost growth once restrictions lift in October.

How We Maintain Color During Fertilizer Blackout

The goal during blackout is health without surge growth. That requires a different strategy than typical fertilization.

• Micronutrient & Iron Packages: Enhances color without pushing blade growth.
• Weed Control: Post-emergent spot treatments where permitted.
• Insect Protection: Rotations for southern chinch bug, grubworms, and sod webworm.
• Disease Prevention: Targeted fungicides based on humidity and rainfall patterns.
• Cultural Coaching: Correct watering cycles and mower height for Floratam.

When Blackout Ends (October): Our Ramp-Up Strategy

Once seasonal restrictions lift, lawns can finally receive balanced nutrients again.

• Slow-release N-P-K blends: Promotes steady, controlled growth for fall.
• Pre-emergent barrier: Blocks winter annual weeds.
• Continued disease & pest rotations: Soil moisture changes bring new pressures.

Chinch Bugs: The #1 Threat to St. Augustine

Chinch bugs thrive in hot, sunny areas — especially near concrete where heat reflects.

• Symptoms: Yellowing → browning patches that spread outward.
• Detection: Part the thatch to spot movement; float test confirms activity.
• Treatment: Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance.

Homeowner Tips for a Healthy Floratam Lawn

• Water deeply and infrequently (~¾–1" per cycle).
• Skip irrigation after heavy rain.
• Keep mower blades sharp; remove no more than ⅓ of the leaf blade.
• Maintain proper edging — avoid burying turf with mulch.
• Protect stolons (runners) from trimmer burn.