Just moved into a new house (Houston) & need to get the back yard under control. This is my first house & I'll admit I am a complete rookie when it comes to identifying weeds & knowing what to do. Also, given the time of year is there anything I can do right now or at this point do I just wait a month or two until I spread the pre-emergent & start following Randy Lemmons fertilization schedule? That is what my plan is but I just don't like sitting around or waiting & want to do something now if I can? The seller said he has always struggled with certain spots in the backyard. The front yard is great, really no issues at all in front of the house.

I'm no grass expert...I've learned all I know from the experimental method. So maybe someone will comment that knows better than me.

I would do the following:

1. Use a spray weed and feed now. Those are cheap and should kill most of the broadleaf weeds. Grass is about to go dormant, so don't expect any real growth.

2. Put down a pre-emergent around january/ february, then again in may/ june, and then september.

3. You might need a weed / feed granule in march/april. Most people don't like em, but it helps.

4. Use a turf builder fertilizer in early spring and probably around may/ june. Might need 3 applications per growing season.

5. Use a winterized in late September or so.

6. Most important however, ensure good drainage- no standing water, and good soil. I haul in good soil every other year to level the yard and give grass good soil.

7. Areas with too much shade may struggle, primarily I think because of bad drainage.

Sounds like this is the direction I am going to go & will try to get back on Randy Lemmons schedule with the pre-emergent around Jan/Feb. Going to go check out a spray weed killer to use right now. Any suggestions from anyone?

The soil is a good idea as well. The backyard slopes towards the house & then sort of to the sides from there where french drains are in place, but water definitely tends to settle in the middle of the backyard. I have a sprinkler system but have turned it off for now.

If you go the route of weed-n-feed watch out for the herbicide Atrazine, it will kill trees and shrubs. Read the ingredients list.

From what I can tell get on a good fertilizer schedule and that should cure most of the issues, A good stand of grass will in itself prevent some, but not all the weeds.

Way too late for preemergent this year. If your grass is still mostly green you could at least winterize it though.

I've been following the randy Lemmon schedule for the first time in 11 years of owning 3 houses between austin and houston. Last year I did not use any weed and feed, but purchased off amazon a bottle of granule preemergent. I spread it by mixing it with a fertilizer. I think it generally worked to control weeds, but not as perfect as I'd like. I'll probably throw in a Scotts bonus S this year and see what happens. I can't however over emphasize the value of good dirt. It's a ton of work, but worth every sweat drop.

General broadleaf winter weeds. Without healthy grass to out compete them they will always appear without preemergent herbicides. For the time being 2,4D should work so long as the temperatures stay above that 65 degree range. But if you have no grass you will be left with minimal ground cover anyway. Higher rate will give you a little residual action.

I cannot stress the importance to never use weed and feed products. Absolutely the worst products on the market. You never need to fertilize and put out weed control at the same time.

Randy Lemmon is a great resource to get started. But you will go broke using some of the junk he recommends at times. Neil Sperry is a better source IMO.

I absolutely swear by Randy's info. it is NOT expensive since , once you are well established your use of chems will drop significantly.
It is too late for fertilizer, waste of money ( unless you are in the Valley). Any pre0emerg will be only marginally useful since most winter weeds have already germinated. Use can still use a cool weather spray on herb to spot treat the weeds that are up.
Your next BIG pop to make a difference will be in early spring when you have a chance to apply a good fert and a good pre -emerg.
I would save my money now ,perhaps spot kill the weeds you might see now if they annoy you and wait till spring.
Your photos are NOT that bad for this time of year in St Aug.

BEST solution......REPLACE the St Augustine.....everything eats it, it loves to die, every fungus loves it and both under and over water kills it.