Planting Grass Seed Or Aerating After Weed And Feed
Weed& Feed prevents seed germination, so you should avoid planting new grass or aerating your lawn for at least four weeks. If you apply weed and feed in the spring and summer, spread new grass seed and aerate in the fall each year.
Reasons Weed & Feed Didnt Work
Remember to always follow the directions on the package. Always use a spreader to apply. Here are some common reasons why a weed & feed application could be ineffective:
- Weed& feed targets broadleaf weeds like dandelions, and dollarweeds. It does nothing for crabgrass and other grassy weeds. For these, you should use a pre-emergent like Scotts Halts or Sta-Green Crab Ex crabgrass preventer in the early spring. Must be applied before weeds and crabgrass are growing.
- Mature weeds are not actively growing, so the product will not be as effective. Weed and feed should be applied early in the growing season and a couple days after mowing.
- Rain and sprinklers can wash away the granules. Make sure there is no rain in the forecast and avoid watering for two days after applying.
What if You Apply Too Much Weed & Feed?
The best way to avoid damaging your lawn after too much fertilizer application is to flush out the weed & feed. Water your lawn with 1 to 2 inches of water for about 4 days. It would be best not to apply any other weed & feed fertilizer until the following year. Unfortunately, over watering can create run-off in certain drainage situations, so be aware of your location and where the water is going.
How To Spread Weed & Feed
There are a few important details to remember when spreading weed & feed. Keep all of these in mind when planning the job to achieve the best results. Note that these tips are not intended to replace manufacturers instructions, though you will find most manufacturers will recommend some variation of these tips.
Here Are 8 Reasons You Shouldnt Use Weed
6. You dont know how safe the product is: There is a lot of debate about products used for weed control. The Weed-n-Feed products available may contain any number of chemicals. Just because the Department of Agriculture approves a product to be used on your lawn, doesnt mean that it is safe for you, your children, or your pets. Over the past 30 years, Cullen Beard, owner of Personal Lawn Care, has taken great care in choosing which products are applied to your lawn. His background as a science and chemistry teacher makes him qualified to research the products in depth. If I wouldnt use the products on my own yard, around my own children, then I wont use it on yours.
7. Too much Nitrogen: The feed part of Weed-n-Feed products is usually a high nitrogen fertilizer. High nitrogen fertilizers should only be used during the summer when the lawn has come completely out of dormancy. Providing your lawn with too much nitrogen too early in the season will weaken root growth thereby making it more susceptible to drought or other stresses. Cullen recommends a high phosphorous fertilizer in the spring followed by a high nitrogen fertilizer during the summer.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Ants In Lawn With Borax
How Often Should I Weed And Feed My Lawn Uk
In general, I advise doing five treatments each year to a lawn that is somewhat healthy, has an average amount of foot activity, does not have any dogs, receives a lot of sunlight, and has rich, nutritious soil. Each one adapted to the specific requirements of the lawn as well as those that change with the seasons.
When To Water After Applying Weed And Feed Fertilizer Application
With a granular post emergent product, it is important to not water for at least 24 hours after application. The reason for this is that you need the product to stay in contact with the leaves of the weeds to be most efficient.
It goes without saying that if you water too soon after you apply weed and feed, you will wash it off before it starts working.
Since no two products are built exactly the same, you should refer to manufacturers usage guidelines.
Some pre-emergent products can be watered in, so that the active ingredient is absorbed by the roots.
If youre applying a liquid weed and feed product such as Scotts Liquid Turf Builder, you dont need to water the lawn after application, since both the fertilizer and herbicide are already in liquid form. The nitrogen acts as the fertilizer, and gives your lawn a boost, while the herbicide kills weeds such as ground ivy, chickweed, and buckhorn.
Make sure to check the weather forecast for your area before carrying out your weed feed exercise.
If you can afford the irrigation system cost, dont forget to turn off that zone or zones for 24 hours after, and remember to turn it back on again afterwards!
Also Check: How To Bring Back A Dead Lawn
Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Pink Flamingo Lawn Ornaments
Control Crab Grass With A Crab Grass Preventer In The Spring
- Apply a crab grass pre-emergence preventer between the first and third mowings in the spring.
- Preventers usually come as granules that you put on the lawn with a spreader.
- Make notes in the fall about where your crab grass seems to thrive and treat those areas in the spring.
- Once crab grass shows up in your lawn, you have three options:
- Hand-pull the clumps to prevent the plant from reseeding itself.
- Let the crab grass go until the following spring and then use a preventer at the right time.
- Treat clumps with a post-emergence crab grass killer.
Recommended Reading: How To Fix Dead Patches In Lawn
Use A Lawn Weedkiller
To tackle occasional lawn weeds, use a weedkiller designed for use on grass such as Resolva Lawn Weedkiller. This is really important as if you use a general purpose weedkiller, it will kill your grass as well. This ready to use spray can be directed straight onto common weeds such as buttercup, daisy, dandelion and clover.
Also Check: How To Properly Fertilize Your Lawn
What Time Of Day Is Best To Apply Weed Killer
When administered in the late morning, through the middle of the day, and in the afternoon in areas that are chilly or cold, systemic herbicides perform the best.At twilight, the rate of plant development slows down, but it quickly picks back up as the sun rises the next morning.Because heavy dew that falls in the early morning might cause herbicides to be washed away, it is advisable to apply them after the dew has dried up.
When To Apply Lawn Weed Killer
You will only kill weeds when they are actively growing. This means commencing sometime in May and finishing sometime in late September or early October.
I would not rush to apply lawn weed killer to the whole lawn in the early spring as there will be a lot of weeds that wont surface until later on. In early spring just spot or hand weed. For a good weed kill over a broad range of weeds in your lawn try starting in May. If you need to repeat the treatment you still have plenty of time before cold weather makes it impractical. Read the label of your weed killer to make sure repeat treatments are allowed.
Please enable JavaScript
A well fertilised lawn will help you get the most from your weed killer. In spring apply fertiliser in April and weed kill end of May or early June. In autumn feed 7-10 days before weed spraying.
One of my favourite times for complete lawn weed control is in late August or September whilst there is still some warmth around. I would recommend this if you just need the one application in the year. The reason for this is:
- Most weed types are still around
- The spring seeds in your lawn will have germinated so you get those as well
- Killing weeds in autumn is easier than killing winter hardened weeds in spring
- Youll have a weed free lawn until the next round of weed seeds germinate the following spring
You May Like: How To Start Over With Your Lawn
Should I Mow Before Weed And Feed
It is advised that you cut the grass a few days before to applying weed and feed, and it is also recommended that you wait a few days after applying before cutting the grass again. This makes sure that the herbicide, which is the weed half of the term weed and feed, has enough time to be absorbed into the leaves of the weeds so that it can start doing its job.
How Often To Weed And Feed Fescue
Growing fescue isnt as challenging as with other types of lawns. If you live in a hardiness zone between 5 and 7, planting this type of grass will be one of your best options. However, that doesnt mean you wont have to provide it with the necessary maintenance to thrive in your garden. Indeed, while being relatively easy to grow, this cool-season turf needs some attention from your side. For sure, regular and adequate watering is a crucial factor .
Keeping weeds at bay and constantly monitoring your lawn for diseases are essential in maintaining it healthy. Applying a suitable fertilizer will make a considerable difference. To learn it all about how to take proper care of your lawn, youve landed in the right place. Here, well go over how often to weed and feed fescue and how to make the most out of it.
With adequate care , your lawn will be the envy of your neighbors! Besides committing to a regular watering schedule, you must also know when and how much to fertilize and apply herbicide to your lawn to keep weeds under control and have your grass grow healthy.
Read on to find out how to maintain your lawn the proper way! Of course, besides the tips we include here, you must pay attention to the location, soil type, and amount of sunlight your turf will receive! Like any other plant, grass needs oxygen, water, sun, and nutrients to engage in photosynthesis. The process, in turn, ensures the growth of your grass.
You May Like: How To Weed And Feed My Lawn
How Long Does Weed And Feed Stay In Soil
In point of fact, the majority of weed killers intended for residential use are mandated by law to decompose in the soil within 14 days, if not sooner. This is to protect the environment. Take, for instance, the chemical glyphosate. This post-emergent, non-selective herbicide often degrades from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the particular product that you have.
What Month Should I Fertilize Lawn
When your grass begins to turn green and actively grow between the months of February and April, which is when Scotts recommends you feed your lawn, you should also do so using lawn fertilizer. In a nutshell, if your grass appears to be ready for the first cut of the season, then it is also likely suitable for lawn fertilizer to be applied.
Also Check: How Often Should I Mow My Lawn
When Should I Weed And Feed My Lawn Uk
During the middle of spring, which often occurs in late March or April, apply a spring or summer lawn fertilizer according to the rates indicated by the manufacturer. The vitality of the grass will grow, and it will be easier to keep weeds and moss from taking hold if you feed it. When the soil is wet or when there is a chance of rain, apply fertilizer to the ground.
How Do You Know That The Scotts Weed And Feed Is Working
After applying your weed and feed, the following signs can help you know that it is working as intended.
- Your grass is supposed to appear to grow faster and thicker between the first day of the application and after around six days.
- After one week, the weeds are supposed to start wilting and yellowing
- After two weeks, most weeds in your garden or lawn are expected to have turned brown, died, or you can easily remove them using your hand.
- After one month, most weeds will have died, and your grass will become more lush and green.
Recommended Reading: How To Get All The Weeds Out Of Your Lawn
How Often Should You Apply Weed And Feed
Typically, it will all depend on the type of weed and feed that you have. The reason behind this is because each manufacturer have different labels and they have different suggestions for lawn owners today.
There are manufacturers who are recommending a treatment of the lawn once every year. But if you are planning to use the weed and feeder to treat your entire lawn, then it would be best to use it twice, and you need to explicitly clarify it on the label of the weed and feed that you have purchased.
The best thing that you can do is to treat your lawn with weed and feed twice a year using two different brands. These two brands need to have different ingredients that are active.
Typically, you will only have to do this during the first and the second year to ensure that you have already got rid of the weeds that are established.
Once you are done treating your lawn, the next years will be easier since you will only have to treat your lawn once every year. Typically the best time that you can do this is during the month of September since this will surely help control the weed from sprouting during the summer and spring seasons.
Too Much Weed And Feed On The Lawn: How To Keep Things In Check
This article is for informational purposes. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals.
Once I was crawling a gardening forum randomly, I found a fellow gardener to come up with the following query- I started noticing exceptional weed growth in my backyard. So, I bought weed and feed and applied it according to instructions.
After a while, I noticed dead spots in my yard. I could only narrow It down to exceeding use of weed and feed. What am I to do now?
Another gentleman from another part of the world writes- I didnt notice the amount of weed and feed I used in my lawn. After a few weeks, I found my grass was dying out. I noticed yellow dead spots.
Then, as I went to enquire about the packaging, I found that the area per feed was larger, 10000 Sq. feet to be exact. And I accidentally applied the whole pack on 2000 sq. feet of area. What should I do now?
We took a moment to realize- this is a problem that deserves a full-fledged discussion anyway. If youre one of those people who have faced a similar situation, then youre in luck. Because today, we will be discussing with you about the methods by which you can keep things in order.
Don’t Miss: How To Choose An Electric Lawn Mower
When Can I Cut My Grass After Weed And Feed
Although the precise directions for mowing are included with each weed and feed product, in general, you can mow the grass one to two days before to applying any weed and feed product, or you can wait and mow the lawn at least one day after applying the product. After application, you should continue to leave the grass clippings on the lawn for the subsequent three mowings.
Should I Mow Before Fertilizing
Ideally, youll want to mow and rake before fertilizing, so that excess lawn waste is removed and the fertilizer will have an easier time reaching the soil. Aerating your soil before fertilizing can also help the best times to aerate are when your grass is actively growing, such as in spring or early fall.
Don’t Miss: Do Not Pee On Lawn Sign
When Is The Best Time To Feed My Lawn
Spring is a good time to feed your lawn. Wait until the grass has started to grow again, usually during April, and give the lawn a couple of mows before applying the fertiliser.
Its best to apply fertiliser to a freshly cut lawn as it needs as much time as possible to settle in before the next cut. You can apply the fertiliser carefully by hand or use a lawn spreader. A spreader is a much easier option for large areas and will make sure that the product is applied uniformly.
Use a lawn spreader for best results. Image credit: @hampshirelawncraft
You can also apply a summer fertiliser in July and an autumn fertiliser in September. Be sure to read the instructions on the product before applying fertiliser as they may require different conditions. Some need to be watered in or applied to a wet lawn while others can be scattered and left.
How To Apply Weed And Feed
Apply weed and feed when the temperature is below 80 F, but above freezing, a day or two after mowing the lawn to its normal height. A product containing a pre-emergent herbicide is applied to a dry lawn. If rain doesn’t fall within the following three days, irrigate the lawn thoroughly to activate the herbicide. A post-emergent weed and feed works best when applied to a wet lawn so that the granules stick to the weeds’ leaves. However, rainfall washes the granules off the leaves, so wait until no rain is forecast for several days and water your lawn before applying the product. To obtain an even distribution when applying weed and feed, use a lawn spreader. Don’t allow children or animals on the lawn while weed and feed granules remain visible to avoid contact with the herbicide.
Warning
Don’t apply weed and feed to a newly seeded lawn. Wait until the lawn has been mowed at least twice.
Read Also: What Is Grub Control For Lawns