We got our new inground pool this summer. The sod around the pool is green but it's gotten a few dollar weeds that have invaded the sod (St. Augustine - Palmetto variety). I'd like to add some fertilizer and weed killer to the backyard sod, but I'm concerned that the ingredients in, say, Scott's Bonus S weed & feed -- they'll cause metal staining if any of those pellets fall into the pool water. (I don't know if there's a risk of staining, but I'm guessing there might be).

How do you safely fertilize the sod around your inground pool? Is it true there is a risk of metal staining by broadcasting fertilizer on the grass that surrounds your inground pool?