How to Kill Weeds & Fertilize a Lawn in Florida

Fertilize Your Lawn

• 1

  Determine the best time to fertilize your lawn. Apply fertilizer after the frost has passed in spring if you live in North or Central Florida. Or, in the fall, fertilize around the end of September or beginning of October in North Florida and in the middle of October in Central Florida.

• 2

  Choose an appropriate fertilizer for Florida soil. Purchase fertilizer that contains slow-release nitrogen and 0, 1 or 2 percent phosphorous. Florida soils are usually high in phosphorous, according to the University of Florida's IFAS Extension. The fertilizer should also contain potassium, which is usually in the same quantity as the nitrogen. Manufacturers provide three numbers on the bags of fertilizer that indicate the levels of the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, in this order. These numbers are usually given in the format 15-0-15 or 15-2-15.

• 3

  Pour the fertilizer into a spreader and apply it to your lawn. The University of Florida's IFAS Extension recommends applying it at a rate of ½ to 1 pound of nitrogen to 1,000 square feet. Follow the manufacturer's directions for best results.

Control Weeds

• 4

  Hand pull the weeds. This may be a tedious, highly physical and time-consuming method of attacking emergent weeds, but it is the best and fastest option if there are just a few weeds on your lawn.

• 5

  Apply herbicide if there are many weeds. Herbicides are more effective when applied at certain stages of the weeds' development. Follow the manufacturer's directions for proper application.

• 6

  Make your lawn less inviting for weeds. Weeds thrive in lawns that are cut too low and receive too much water. Grass should be kept at a height of 2 to 3 inches. The ideal height for St. Augustine grass, which is prevalent in Florida, is between 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Water the grass when it begins to look dry and provide 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water.