Killing Southern Lawn Weeds
The first line of defense against weeds taking over your lawn is to make your lawn denser and thicker by feeding regularly during the year. Three to five feedings a year really helps your grass crowd out young weeds before they get a chance to get a toehold. (Note: Centipede Grass should only be fed two or three times a year.) The second defense is to mow your grass at one of the higher settings on your mower.
Here are options for killing weeds in your Southern lawn:
Option 1: If you want to kill weeds while feeding your lawn here are your product options:
- Scotts Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed – use on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam). Apply to a dry lawn and water after spreading. (Note: This product can also be used on Zoysia and Centipedegrass lawns, however Turf Builder Weed & Feed may be a better option for these lawns depending on the weeds you are trying to kill.)
- Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed – use on all Southern Lawns except St. Augustinegrass. Apply to a moist lawn and do not water for 24 hours after spreading.
Option 2: If you want to kill weeds without feeding your lawn here are product options:
- Ortho Nutsedge Killer (this spray kills other weeds beside Nutgrass) – Can be used on any Southern lawn
- Ortho Weed-B-Gon MAX for Southern Lawns – Can be used on any Southern lawn except Floratam (a type of St. Augustinegrass)
- Ortho Weed-B-Gon MAX plus Crabgrass Killer – Can be used only on these southern lawns: Bermudagrass and Zoysia.
If you have lawn weed questions contact the Scotts Help Center.
Preventing and destroying weeds is essential, but rather boring.
What I really enjoy doing is using the Bug B Gon granules in my garden and Orthene powder in the red ant hills. Seeing them pesky ants eating and transporting the stuff back to their lairs is very satisfying. I don’t care where they go, I just want them out of my yard.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the granules. Where I live, that is the ONLY thing that works to rid and prevent bugs that destroy my veggie garden without destroying the veggies themselves. It works great on lawns too.
Hi Jenny Sounds like you are winning the war against fire ants!
I’m looking for a granular post emergent herbicide for centipede & st. Augustine .
Hi Brent
Scotts Bonus S Weed & Feed is a granular lawn food and weed killer combination product that can be used on both St. Augustine and Centipede. The same active ingredient is available in a granular product from Ortho for spot weed control in St. Augustinegrass. Here is a link to the product info: http://www.scotts.com/smg/goprod/ortho-weed-b-gon-st-augustine-lawn-weed-killer/prod70258/
This product is only sold in Florida and Texas.
How soon should I put the Florida turf builder down after the Bonus S?
Hi Ian
It is a good idea to allow 6 weeks between feedings. Good luck with your lawn.
Hi,
Just mowed my lawn yesterday; is it ok to apply southern weed and feed to my lawn today?
Amy
Hi Amy
Yes you can apply today. Assume you mean Scotts Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed. Make sure this one goes on a St. Augustine, Zoysia or Centipede lawn. Your lawn should be watered real good after application. If you got the Turf Builder Weed & Feed which can be used on Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, Bermudagrass or Bahiagrass, make sure you apply to moist foliage when no rain is expected for 24 hours. You can then water after that time.
I live in Charleston, SC. Is it to late to put out Bonus S product?
Hi Robbie
I assume you are going to put Bonus S on your St. Augustine or Centipede or Zoysia grass lawn. It is ok to put down now, water your lawn good after application.