1702 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 6 ◦ St. Augustine, FL 32084 ◦ (904) 827-1781
Weed Control, Pest Control & Fertilization for Residential & Commercial Turf
Quarterly Perimeter Pest Control for Residences
October 2023
As we head into October we will continue applying our custom blended slow release fertilizer, insecticide and post-emergence herbicide spot treatments for weeds. Once our temperatures allow for, most likely the latter part of this month, we will begin our blanket applications consisting of pre and post emergence herbicides combubed with our specially blended liquid fertilizer to aid in “winterizing” your lawn .
We use a liquid fertilizer in the fall for many reasons, including to help protect our environment. The St. Johns River is an irreplaceable resource and we at Curtis Pest Control want to do not only what’s best for our client’s lawns, but for our environment as well. It’s no secret that slow release Nitrogen and Phosphates can be harmful, hence ”the green river”. Since we use a liquid source of Nitrogen, the turf takes it in quickly, making leaching less likely and decreaing the chance of a harmful effect on our environment. In short, little to no Phosphorus helps prevent the possibility of leaching into our rivers and groundwater.
Moreover, our winters often consist of spring like weather, frost/freezes, spring like weather, frost/freezes, spring like weather, frost/freezes ~ you get the picture! That kind of weather promotes sporadic new growth leaving your lawn highly susceptible to damage when we receive additional frosts/ freezes. Likewise, when a granular, slow release Nitrogen fertilizer is applied it remains in the turf much longer which promotes new growth making it highly susceptible to frost/freeze damage. On the other hand, when a quick release liquid fertilizer is instead applied, the grass goes dormant and stays that way, which greatly lessens the chance of frost/freeze damage. Put simply, dormancy is essential for our St. Augustine grass lawns —it’s important to remember that it is a warm season, sub-tropical plant that is NOT meant to stay green year round.
Lastly, as mandated by the state, we are licensed to apply fertilizers—this is in addition to our state pest control license and certification. Ultimately this means that we, as professionals, must use “best management practices” when applying fertilizers. We at Curtis Pest Control have always been pro-active in all aspects of our industry, including best management practices. To sum it up, we want to do what is best for your lawn, the environment and what is in keeping with our industry’s recommendations and requirements.
IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH...
With the cooler temperatures approaching and daylight still not waning very quickly, this month is the opportune time to view your landscaping with a critical eye. You still have time to evaluate its function, as well as eye and curb appeal, and to make the appropriate changes. Are any of your plantings too tall, or perhaps poorly placed? Ideally, you want your plantings to be no higher than 2/3 the height of your home at its corners. You want to avoid plantings too close to your home’s foundation, or too complex for you to maintain. You may find you want to add appeal with interesting textures, colors and elements, such as a water feature. Whatever you decide, have fun and make your lawn and home a reflection of your personality.
Remember that Poinsettias require their last application of fertilizer this month. We recommend using a 8-10-10 formulation at the rate of one tablespoon per foot of plant height.
Slugs and snails may still be active. They can do a lot of damage to your plants in a very short amount of time so be on the lookout for these creatures. There are effective baits available at most home and garden centers or you can opt to go all natural and use the beer-in-a-jar-lid treatment.
This time of year mulch is a really good ounce/pound of prevention. It helps to protect your plantings from the cold weather and aids in holding moisture in the soil. Pine straw and leaves (free of disease) make the perfect mulch. Magnolia leaves also work well but must be shredded first because they do not easily break down.
Furthermore, certain tender plants and some flowering plants and shrubs should not be pruned this time of year.Late pruning can render tender plants, such as Ixora, Plumbago and Hibiscus, vulnerable to the cold. Additionally, late pruning of Camellias, Poinsettias and Azaleas will prevent buds from being produced next year.
