Nitro-Phos Imperial 15-5-10
Spring wake-up fertilizer · late February
A gentler first feeding as the lawn comes out of dormancy, so it wakes up without pushing too much top growth too early.
In store: Houston Garden Center
Gear & products
What the Turf Method program uses
Every product in the program, what it does, and when it goes down. Hands-on reviews are rolling out one at a time.
How picks are chosen: only products used in the Turf Method program are listed here. Some links on this site may be affiliate links, which means Turf Method may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Always read and follow the product label. Full disclosure.
Fertilizer & soil
Nitro-Phos Super Turf 19-4-10
Main growing-season fertilizer · March and June
The workhorse feeding for thickness and deep green color through spring and summer.
In store: Houston Garden Center
Nitro-Phos Fall Special 8-12-16
Fall root feeding · early November
Lower nitrogen with more phosphorus and potassium to strengthen roots heading into winter.
In store: Houston Garden Center
Fertilome Winterizer
Fall fallback · early November
Fallback fall feeding if Nitro-Phos Fall Special isn't on the shelf. Check the bag for low nitrogen and high potassium. Read more
In store: local garden centers
Southern Ag Chelated Liquid Iron
Color boost · growing season, as needed
Deepens green color. It doesn't replace fertilizer, and it stains concrete, so keep it off driveways and walks. Read more
AZOMITE
Trace minerals · mid-March
Adds trace minerals most fertilizers leave out, for long-term soil health.
MySoil Soil Test Kit
Start here · test before you feed
A mail-in kit with collection tools and prepaid return postage. You get a report on pH and nutrients with fertilizer suggestions, so you only buy what your lawn needs. Read more
Soil thermometer
Timing pre-emergent and feeding
A long-stem probe thermometer tells you when the soil, not the calendar, says it's time. Read more
Soil Probe
Soil checks · moisture and roots
A stainless T-handle probe I push into the lawn to check moisture, compaction, and how deep the roots go.
Weeds, fungus & insects
Nitro-Phos Barricade pre-emergent
Weed prevention · early Feb, May, Oct
Stops weed seeds from sprouting. It won't kill weeds that are already up, so timing is everything.
In store: Houston Garden Center
Southern Ag Atrazine
Spot-treating weeds · as needed
A go-to weed killer that's labeled for St. Augustine. Spot spray, and follow the label's temperature limits. Read more
Prime Source Sulfentrazone 4SC Select, 6 oz
Nutsedge control · late spring and summer, as needed
Sulfentrazone for nutsedge in St. Augustine, the same active ingredient as Dismiss. It works before or after weeds come up, so measure it and follow the label rate for St. Augustine. Read more
Southern Ag Surfactant for Herbicides
Weed sprays · when the label calls for it
I add this when a herbicide label calls for a surfactant. It helps the spray spread and stick to waxy weed leaves instead of beading up. Read more
Scotts DiseaseEx
Preventative fungicide · March, July, October
Granular fungicide applied before disease season, especially ahead of fall large patch. Read more
BioAdvanced Fungus Control for Lawns
Spot treatment · as needed
For fungus that shows up between scheduled applications. Treat the patch plus a small buffer around it.
Spectracide Triazicide
Preventative insecticide · April, June, August
Keeps chinch bugs and other lawn insects in check through the hot months. Read more
Nitro-Phos Bug Out Max
Granular insecticide · fire ants and lawn insects
Granular bifenthrin insecticide for fire ants and other lawn insects. Covers up to 5,000 sq ft. Follow the label.
In store: Houston Garden Center
Equipment
Broominator Jr (Broom and Stripes Co.)
Lawn striping · best budget pick
A push-mower bracket that holds a regular push broom to lay stripes. On my St. Augustine it stripes nearly as well as my Big League Lawns kit for less money. Bring your own 24" broom for a 22" mower. Sent to me free for review. Read more
Big League Lawns CheckMate
Lawn striping · premium pick
A heavy, model-specific roller striper. Rock-solid build and it folds up for storage. The one I bought with my own money and still use. Read more
Hose Quick Connect Kit
Watering · cheap upgrade
Click hoses, nozzles, and sprinklers on and off in a second instead of screwing them on and off. Pair it with a shut-off valve so you can swap attachments without walking back to the spigot.
YELUN Brass Hose Shut-Off Valve
Watering · cheap upgrade
A brass shut-off for the end of the hose. Close it, swap the nozzle or sprinkler, and open it again without walking back to the spigot.
Hoselink 82 ft Retractable Hose Reel
Watering · hose storage
A retractable reel for the hose I use on the lawn. It keeps 82 feet of hose from sitting in a pile or dragging across the grass.
Etekcity Digital Scale
Measuring · granular products
I weigh granular fertilizer and pre-emergent on this so the amount matches the label rate. It keeps me from guessing with a scoop.
Measuring Pitcher
Measuring · sprayer mixes
A 32 oz (1000 ml) pitcher for measuring liquid products before they go in the sprayer.
ECHO RB-60 Broadcast Spreader
Granular products
Spreads fertilizer and pre-emergent evenly. Cheaper spreaders tend to leave dark and light stripes across the lawn.
Where: Amazon · Home DepotReview coming
Scotts Wizz Handheld Spreader
Granular products · small areas
A handheld spreader I use for fertilizer and seed on smaller areas, or for touch-ups where the broadcast spreader is too much.
VEVOR Battery Backpack Sprayer
Liquid applications
For iron, weed killer, fungicide, and insecticide. A battery sprayer saves a lot of pumping compared with hand-pump models.
Where: AmazonReview coming
The Groundskeeper II Rake
Late-winter cleanup
A light pass in late February to clear winter debris. Put it away once the grass is growing so you don't rip up runners.
Reach Right Handle Attachment
Rake and shovel · less strain
It clamps onto a leveling rake or shovel handle so I get better leverage and less back strain.
Fiskars Step Edger
Edges · beds and sidewalks
A half-moon blade I step on to cut a clean edge along beds and sidewalks.
Stand-Up Weed Puller
Weeds · pull without bending
I pull weeds from a standing position instead of kneeling for every one.
Fiskars Pop-Up Yard Bag
Leaves and yard debris
A pop-up bag I use for leaves and yard debris. It stands open on its own and folds flat when I'm done.
Darwin's Grip
String trimmer · second handle
A clamp-on second handle for a string trimmer. It gives me a better grip and more control while I trim.
Mower blade file and balancer
Sharpening twice a season
A mill file and a cheap cone balancer are all you need to keep a clean cut. Read more
Where: Amazon
Mower Blade Balancer
Blade care · after sharpening
I hang the blade on this after I sharpen it to see if one end is heavy. An unbalanced blade makes the mower vibrate. Read more
Mower Blade Removal Tool
Blade care · taking the blade off
It holds the mower blade so I can loosen the bolt without the blade spinning. I use it when I pull the blade to sharpen it. Read more
Soil Plug Tool
Bare spots · St. Augustine plugs
I use this to cut plugs and set them into bare spots. St. Augustine fills in from plugs, not seed. Read more
Manual Soil Aerator
Late Feb – early March
Pulls plugs of soil to relieve compaction before the growing season. I step on the foot plate and use it on compacted spots.
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