The products that should be on the application schedule for June are grub worm control products and fertilizer. So water when you can, mow for the type of grass you have and plan any applications of products around the watering schedule.
This application of fertilizer should be the last until fall. The end of June or the beginning of July is a good time line. My goal is to apply fertilizer when the temperature is below 95 degrees. Sometimes that even works. I also like the lower nitrogen numbers if you have St. Augustine grass. This is where the all-natural fertilizers really shine. One of our best all-natural is “Dirt Diet”. It is a 4-1-2 alfalfa base fertilizer that’s in a pelleted form. It works well on any type of grass and it is one of the best for St. Augustine. On the synthetic side I would go with our slow release 24-0-0 or the time proven 16-20-0 for Bermuda or St. Augustine. If the Bermuda needs a kick in the grass try our 28-6-6 with iron.
One of the issues that we see in summer lawns is Grey Leaf Spot. This fungal disease mainly attacks St. Augustine but will go after other grasses if conditions are right. Grey Leaf Spot can be accelerated with an application of high levels of soluble nitrogen. Use a fertilizer with an insoluble (slow release) nitrogen such as the ones mentioned. If you do get a case of Grey Leaf Spot most fungicides will take care of it. If you are following an all-natural approach, try Southern Ag’s Garden Friendly Fungicide.
Time for the application of grub control products starts the middle of June. We carry two outstanding products, one from Bayer and the other from Bonide. Both cover 5,000 square feet and are very effective. Bonide’s Grub Beater has the edge on price.
