The Best Fertilizers for a Lush, Green St. Augustine Grass Lawn

By: Ken Wilson

St. Augustine grass is a popular warm-season grass that thrives well in hot, humid regions. However, it needs sufficient nutrients to achieve its beautiful blue-green color and healthy, vigorous grass carpet.

You must choose the best St. Augustine grass fertilizer for the summer growing season. We've rounded up our top picks to make the process easier for you!

143 Ratings

The Scotts' turf builder lawn food has all-in-one particles to distribute all the necessary nutrients in your lawn evenly.

2,284 Ratings

Since it is a slow-release Nitrogen fertilizer, your lawn will be safe from burning.

8 Ratings

This 17-0-7 weed and feed fertilizer will provide your lawn with the nitrogen it needs and other essential nutrients like iron.

0 Rating

It is available in both liquid and granular forms. It is formulated with a 9-0-5 nutrient ratio and features a slow-release option.

702 Ratings

It has slow-release nitrogen, which feeds your lawn up to 3 months after application. This reduces the need for you to fertilize often.

4,801 Ratings

It contains Humic DG (humic and fulvic acid) with a slow-release option. This fertilizer has a 4-1-2 ratio.

2,932 Ratings

This product can also be applied on bermudagrass, centipede grass, palmetto, and Zoysia. You can expect visible results in just 14 days.

1,123 Ratings

It has a rich nitrogen content and a blend of macronutrients & micronutrients, which caters to the different needs of your lawn.

4,054 Ratings

It has a nitrogen-rich 6-0-0 NPK ratio, which enriches your St. Augustine turf. The iron and micronutrients in this product improves the quality of the soil.

In This Review & Buyers Guide

9 of the Best Fertilizers for a Thicker St. Augustine Lawn


If you want to achieve a picturesque blue-green St. Augustine grass, the Scotts Southern Turf Builder Lawn Food is made just for that! It is formulated with a rich nitrogen content of 32-0-10 NPK. Consider it the perfect choice for southern regions, as it protects your turfgrass from drought and heat.

The Scotts' turf builder lawn food has all-in-one particles to distribute all the necessary nutrients in your lawn evenly. It can feed lawns up to 10,000 sq. ft., which can be applied through a drop or a broadcast spreader.

Product Specifications


  • 14 pounds
  • 5,000 sq ft coverage
  • It can be applied four times per year

Advantages


  • It covers a large area
  • It is suitable for most lawn types
  • It gives adequate protection against heat and drought

One trusted brand in the fertilizer industry is Lesco, which has one made for St. Augustine grass. This 17-0-7 weed and feed fertilizer will provide your lawn with the nitrogen it needs and other essential nutrients like iron.

The iron will significantly improve the condition of your lawn, especially if it is prone to brown patches. Ideally, apply this fertilizer once spring starts. This will jumpstart the healthy growth of your St. Augustine lawn– outgrowing and choking out pesky lawn weeds.


If you're looking for a reasonably-priced fertilizer that offers extensive coverage, this lawn fertilizer from Pennington is for you. The product is formulated with a nitrogen-rich 30-0-4 NPK ratio, promoting robust growth and the rich color of your St. Augustine lawn.

One 14 lbs. bag of UltraGreen fertilizer can cover up to 5,000 sq. ft., and it can be easily applied through a drop or a broadcast spreader. Another highlight is that this fertilizer has slow-release nitrogen, which feeds your lawn up to 3 months after application. This reduces the need for you to fertilize often.

Product Specifications


  • 14 pounds
  • 5,000 sq ft coverage

Advantages


  • It helps you maintain a lush green lawn
  • Every feeding can last up to 3 months
  • Cost-effective

We all want our St. Augustine grass to become a thick, luscious lawn. This liquid lawn fertilizer will help you make that easier to achieve. Aside from St. Augustine lawns, the product can also be applied on bermudagrass, centipede grass, palmetto, and Zoysia. You can expect visible results in just 14 days.

Advantages


  • It is 100% natural
  • It contains rich nitrogen content
  • It is formulated with advanced humic and fulvic acids to encourage rapid growth

Even without a spreader, lawn fertilizing is made easier with the Simple Lawn Solutions' Lawn Energizer! It comes in a 32-ounce jug that has a built-in sprayer. Attach it to a garden hose, and start fertilizing your lawn without buying a spreader or a pump sprayer.

On average, it can feed lawns of up to 3,200 square feet. This fertilizer has a nitrogen-rich 6-0-0 NPK ratio, which enriches your St. Augustine turf. The iron and micronutrients in this product also improve the quality of the soil and promote robust root development.

Advantages


  • It has a hose spray attachment
  • It is ideal for small to medium lawns
  • This fertilizer is an easy-to-use liquid solution

Contrary to other slow-release fertilizers in the market today, the Milorganite Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer allows you to see results after the first two weeks of application.

It is formulated with iron to encourage the lush, healthy growth of your St. Augustine grass lawn. Since it is a slow-release Nitrogen fertilizer, your lawn will be safe from burning. If you've had bad experiences with other commercial property feeds burning your lawn in the past, this might be the solution you're looking for.

Product Specifications


  • 32 lbs. quantity
  • It can cover up to 2,500 square feet
  • It can be applied any time of the year

Advantages


  • It is formulated with organic formula, which won’t burn your grass
  • This fertilizer promotes your lawn’s strong root development

This organic lawn fertilizer from Dr. Earth is available in both liquid and granular forms. It is formulated with a 9-0-5 nutrient ratio and features a slow-release option.

Today, the product is considered one of the best fertilizers for your St. Augustine grass lawn. Many homeowners are big fans of this organic choice– 100% all-natural. Thus, it is safe to use on your lawn even if you have children and pets running around. The slow-release formula will keep your lawn fed with adequate amounts of nitrogen for long periods.


Suppose your garden's soil is already rich in nitrogen. In that case, you need to look for a fertilizer that complements it. One excellent option is the PGF complete fertilizer from The Andersons, which has a fine particle form. It makes it easier to spread all over your lawn.

Most importantly, it has less nitrogen, which suits your soil well. The formulation contains Humic DG (humic and fulvic acid) with a slow-release option. This fertilizer has a 4-1-2 ratio, making it ideal for St Augustine lawns.

Advantages


  • It has an easy application
  • It is a long-lasting product
  • This fertilizer contains Humic DG
  • It can cover up to 5,000 sq. ft.

This next unique fertilizer contains a blend of slow-release and fast-release nutrients, which is suitable for St. Augustine grass lawns. The blend has been perfected to encourage lush grass growth while strengthening its root development.

It also has a rich nitrogen content and a blend of macronutrients and micronutrients, which caters to the different needs of your lawn. Plenty of lawns suffer from an iron deficiency, while others lack enough nitrogen. This fertilizer can help you deal with this problem efficiently.

Important Note: Always mix the formula correctly to achieve the best results possible. When incorrectly mixed, this fertilizer may only burn your lawn.

Advantages


  • It can be applied for spring and summer feeding
  • This fertilizer helps fight the iron and nitrogen deficiency in your lawn
  • It has easy mixing and application

Final St. Augustine Fertilizer Tips

Make sure to store your fertilizer in a place where it will remain dry. Avoid storing it near pesticides or fuels. Most times, fertilizer "prills" will be on the sidewalk or driveway when you apply it with a broadcast spreader. Do not use water or a hose to wash the fertilizer away. Instead, use a leaf blower or sweep the prills up. This will prevent the fertilizer from finding its way into your water supply.

Start with a soil test to achieve the best results in "growing" a wonderful St Augustine lawn. Apply fertilizer to your yard according to the soil test's recommendations, following the label's recommendations, cutting 1/3 of the grass blade, and irrigating when rain is insufficient. Do not hesitate to ask a lawn professional if you are unsure about the fertilizer analysis. Stick with the basics; it will surely help you grow a St. Augustine lawn that even your neighbors will adore. (Related: Homeowners Guide to St Augustine Grass: Care & Problems)

The Best Fertilizer for St Augustine Grass

As you select a fertilizer for your St. Augustine grass fertilizer, you may want to prioritize those with slow-release nitrogen, which is safer for your lawn and can provide a longer-lasting feeding duration.

In particular, consider fertilizer mixes with N, P, and K formulations. There are deemed complete fertilizers suitable for many turfgrasses. Always check the numbers on the fertilizer bag label, as this indicates the percentage of each nutrient.

About the author 

Ken Wilson

Long time career in the home services industry from remodeling to patio construction. Currently residing to in SWFL and active contributor to multiple home & garden publications.