How To Apply Liquid Weed And Feed To Lawns
If you have been using a garden hose to apply liquid weed and feed, it is time for an upgrade. There are many options when it comes to applying liquid weed and feed, but the best option is buying or renting equipment from your local hardware store that will allow you to spread your lawn evenly while also cutting down on human error:
1) Spike head sprinklers
This type offers much better coverage than hand spraying because they offer a circular pass. They are also more expensive but less labor-intensive that could save you money in the end if it is applied correctly.
2) Rotary hoppers
This type of sprinkler head has been around for years and will still provide nice, even coverage on your lawn. If anything they might be better when watering golf courses or large expanses because they dont require as much attention to detail as spike heads do.
Sprinklers should never be set to water at night since many animals such as raccoons can get caught while drinking from them due to their reflective appearance this would cause an unnecessary death that we would not want any part of. Experts recommend applying liquid weed and feed during the day when the sun is shining bright.
For example, if your yard has about 500 sq. ft. of total space without considering slopes or other terrains then apply 250 gallons. This will be enough for 6 applications over the course of 3 months as long as there have not been any rain storms within two days prior to application.
Reading The Fertilizer Numbers
As a gardener, I hope you know what fertilizer numbers mean. If not, let me tell you.
When you are going the descriptions on the pack, you will find a list of nutrients and their numbers on it. The nutrients are usually nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Now how are you supposed to know their percentage?
If you look closely, you will see 10-6-4 or something similar. It is the NPK value. These are the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium included in the product. Lets have a look at their necessities.
- Nitrogen: It is essential for promoting growth for greener and thicker grass
- Phosphorus: For developing the roots or root system, it is a crucial nutrient.
- Potassium: This nutrient keeps away diseases, increases cold tolerance, protects from drought and hence maintains overall lawn health.
Roundup 13 Pounds Granular Weed And Feed
It can be assured that you can avoid weeds with the Roundup Landscape Weed Preventer, but not harm plants you enjoy. It is good to use existing trees, shrubs, ground cover, near perennials, and between bulbs and ornamental grasses.
The integrated applicator will help create a barrier to weeds and cover certain areas you choose to protect. Furthermore, the in-bag handle carries the 5.4-pound size or the bigger 13 pounds package with ease.
You can leave it on the ground surface after application, rub it on the top of the ground, and then just water. The outsmart weeds have never been simpler!
Will, it is not good to have a weed-free season? The ROUNDUP 13 pounds Granular Weed And Feed wont kill current weeds but prevents weeds from growing up for six months.
Key features:
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How Does It Work
Weed and feed products contain nutrients in the form of minerals and herbicides that are either non-systemic or systemic. The nutrients promote healthy grass growth, whereas herbicides kill unwanted weeds.
The mechanism with which these chemicals work depends on the form they come in. Generally, weed and feeds are available in two forms:
- Granules this form consists of tiny granules coated with a herbicide. You apply such a product by spreading the pellets across your lawn when its damp or wet so that they stick to the weeds. The water then makes contact with the granules, dissolving the herbicide coat and releasing the killer chemicals as well as the nutrients.
- Liquid this form consists of liquid chemicals mixed with water. You apply such a product via a sprayer to easily cover your lawn. It doesnt matter whether the grass is wet or dry upon application.
The choice here is up to your preference. But whatever you end up picking, be sure to closely follow the instructions indicated on the container to achieve the best outcome.
Additionally, since certain herbicides work best against certain types of weeds, carefully reading the labels can help you make a better decision.
Best Grass Fertilizer With Weed Killer 2021
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don’t Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer’s website.
If you have a problem with weeds in your yard, its important to find the best grass fertilizer with weed killer to keep your lawn looking neat and weed-free all summer.
While you can always buy fertilizer and weed killer separately, there are plenty of products that combine them, which makes these landscaping tasks much easier. Of course, everyones lawn is different some have tons of weeds, some have only a few but because these mixes also include fertilizer, theyre good for nearly every type of lawn.
The best grass fertilizer with weed killer is one that will last a long time and will prevent multiple types of weeds, like crabgrass and dandelions.
Most grass fertilizers with weed killer come in large bags or spray bottles. Keep in mind how much product youll get for the price, as one bag may be enough for a smaller yard, but you will need multiple bags if you have a lot of land.
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The Type Of Fertilizer
Fertilizers come in a number of different types. The most common has a granular appearance and comes in 2 different forms:
Slow-release nitrogen is listed as water-insoluble nitrogen , and typically provides fertilization for about 6-8 weeks. Slow-release fertilizers are more expensive and sometimes dont work that well in the cold. If theres no WIN listed on the bag label then this means that all of the nitrogen is the type below.
Quick-release, or water-soluble nitrogen is available in the soil for plants to use immediately. These are quickly lost from the soil and last around 2-4 weeks. They stimulate rapid growth and greening, but overuse can burn the grass.
Weed and feed fertilizers can also come in a liquid form thats concentrated and is diluted with water before use.
For more information about fertilizers check out our buying guides to the top organic lawn fertilizers and the best fertilizer for lawns .
What Is The Best Weed And Feed For Summer
If you are planning on using a weed and feed in the summer it is best to apply a product with a little lower nitrogen content . Giving your lawn a smaller dose of nitrogen will decrease the possibility of fertilizer burn, which may occur during summer months. It will also put less stress on the lawn as it is dealing with hotter temperatures.
Our recommended product would be Lescos or the Andersons as they both have a lower nitrogen content but will still attack you weeds.
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Why Use Fertilizer With Weed Preventer
Fertilizer provides plants with the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins they are lacking, enabling them to grow faster, healthier, and bigger. With fertilizer, you can fill any nutrient deficiencies your plants may have, not only helping them survive but also thrive.
When you use a fertilizer that not only provides your plants with nutrients but also kills off and prevents weed growth around them, you are aiding their health in two ways. Weeds can strangle plants and encroach on their space, stunting and inhibiting their growth.
The Best Time To Use It
Most weed and feed products kill weeds that are already growing. But they dont prevent them from germinating, because the granules needs to stick to the leaves of the plant. So its important to use it at the right time.
Applying it when temperatures are cold wont help you stop the weeds. Instead, you should wait until the Spring after the weeds start to appear.
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When Is It Too Late To Use Weed And Feed
It is generally considered too late at the end of fall. After this, if you are in a cold area, winter will start to take hold and the weed killer element will have nothing to work upon. It works when the weeds are actively growing, or before they sprout, depending upon whether you have a pre emergent or post emergent type.
How Long Does Weed And Feed Last
Every product will have its own manufactures recommendations. But in general weed and feed products are applied either, once, twice, or periodically throughout the growing season, for example, every two months or so.
My personal preference is to use a product like Scotts Turf Builder that is designed for twice a year application between April and September when the weeds are actively growing.
10 Best Liquid Lawn Fertilizer Concentrates | Reviews + User Guide
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Spring And Fall Are The Best Times
Weed and feed products should be applied no more than twice a year, so one application in the spring, and another in the fall if the first one didnt resolve the issue. Further, each application should be at least two months apart, because not waiting long enough between applications could cause the herbicides to build up to high levels that can kill healthy grass and vegetation.
Considering weed and feed products contain chemicals, there are a few safety precautions you need to take, starting with making sure kids and pets stay off the lawn until it dries completely. It is best to wait until the next heavy rain or when the granules have completely dissolved before allowing foot traffic on your lawn.
If youre applying pre-emergent weed and feed, then the best application time is prior to weed seed germination. But if youre trying to control summer weeds, early spring is the best time to apply weed and feed.
However, if youre trying to kill crabgrass, you should apply weed and feed in mid-April. As mentioned earlier, post emergent weed killers will only kill weeds that are actively growing at the time of application.
Given that fertilizer applications arent recommended in the summer such as in temperatures above 90-degrees, post-emergent herbicides to kill tough broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and clover should be applied from late spring onwards.
What Is Weed & Feed
Weed & feed is a term universally applied to lawn chemicals that both kill weeds and promote a healthy lawn. In general, it kills ugly weeds while helping your grass better absorb water and nutrients to improve its growth.
But as your grass begins to grow, it can start choking out unwanted weeds meaning that you can phase out this chemical product slowly over time. But if you start to see growth decline or weeds take over your lawn, re-introduce weed & feed into your regular lawn care routine.
There are two types of herbicides generally used in weed & feed, which one you use depends on the current weed situation youre facing.
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Nitrogen And Other Nutrients
On the label of a weed and feed, youll see numbers that indicate the NPK value, which is the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You must check the amounts of these nutrients to make sure that the grass will get what it needs.
In smaller amounts, your lawn also requires other elements to stay healthy and strong such as molybdenum, zinc, cobalt, sulfur, and magnesium.
Westland Child And Pet
If you need a child-friendly and pet-safe weed and feed, consider this organic weed and feed product from Westland. It prevents moss and weed growth whilst naturally feeding your lawn with long-lasting nutrients. This fast-acting formula contains friendly bacteria that break down moss and weed leaves.
Within just one week, expect to see a greener and healthier lawn thanks to the added lawn seed in the organic fertilizer. After application, the grass seed will germinate and fill those bald patches in the lawn. As the grass becomes thicker and stronger, it overtakes the moss and weed.
How to use: apply 35 grams of granules per square meter to ensure even lawn coverage. For the best results, you can double the application amount. Apply every once from February to September when the grass is actively growing.
Customer reviews: users were very pleased with the results of this weed and feed scoring it 4.4/5. Just 10 days after application, their grass started turning thicker and green. One small complaint was the strong odor of the fertilizer due to its organic nature. However, if you water the grass a day or two after application, the smell will soon disappear.
Pros
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When To Apply Weed & Feed
Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied at any time of day because they form a soil barrier to stop weeds from sprouting. Post-emergent weed & feed, however, is different.
When using post-emergent herbicides, check the instructions on the bottle or box. These products contain what are known as systemic or non-systemic herbicides.
Non-systemic herbicides cause damage to plant tissues, and therefore they may be applied at any time of day. However, systemic herbicides must enter the plants via the roots when the plant is undergoing active growth. Application of systemic herbicides depends largely on the growth region because plants even weeds grow differently in different regions.
How Does Weed & Feed Work
Weed & feed is a combination of minerals and systemic or non-systemic herbicides. The minerals provide nutrients to help your grass grow, while the herbicides kill the weeds.
Two forms of weed & feed are available for homeowners today. These are:
- Granules: Granular weed & feed comes in small, dry pellets covered with herbicide. You spread the granules over your lawn when its wet, allowing the weed & feed to stick to the weeds.
- Liquid: Liquid weed & feed is often mixed with water and sprayed over your lawn using a sprayer. You can apply the liquid version to wet or dry grass.
Regardless of which one you choose, you must follow the directions on the container to get the best results. Certain herbicides are best for certain weeds, so be sure to read labels carefully when choosing a brand.
Try to determine which weeds are present in the yard and then compare them to the products available. The minerals are largely the same, though some formulas may perform better for specific types of grass, be it Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, or any other.
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How Should Weed And Feed Be Applied
Granular weed and feed products require the use of a fertilizer spreader that may rotate or drop the small granules evenly around your yard. You will need to set the fertilizer spreader to the right disbursement to ensure even and accurate coverage. Using the wrong setting can lead to too much weed and feed being applied to the yard which will kill all the grass and potentially pollute local water.
Liquid weed and feed uses a different kind of fertilizer spreader. Many liquid options can be screwed directly onto your hose and act as a sprayer nozzle that with automatically blend the chemicals with your water using the right ratio. Other liquids may require that you mix them and use a liquid sprayer attached to an ATV or lawn tractor.
Spectracide Weed & Feed Spray
Spectracide Weed & Feed Spray provides coverage of 7500 square feet, offering a liquid spray with a dual-action formula which eliminates all major broadleaf weeds while feeding your lawn to become thick, luscious and the envy of the neighborhood.
A concentration of 20% nitrogen formulation provides a high-quality fertilization for your lawn, while weeds such as knotweed, dandelion, and chickweed are tackled and banished from your garden for good. The Spectracide Weed & Feed Spray is simple and easy to use, requiring you to quickly connect the product to your hose and then spray evenly across your lawn.
The Spectracide Weed & Feed Spray attaches easily to your standard garden hose, enabling you to spray across your lawn and achieve an even and flawless coverage.
Timing
Amanda Shiffler
Products are formulated with different modes of action concerning how they kill weeds. A weed and feed with a pre-emergent herbicide prevents weed seeds from germinating and works best in the spring as the lawn begins growing for the season. Some products target weeds that are actively growing and can be applied anytime during the season.
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Greenview Fairway Formula Fertilizer
We start off with the best of the pack. If you dont have either the time or patience to keep the weeds on your lawn in check and take care of the feeding of the grass, then GreenView Fairway Formula Fertilizer might be what youre looking for. This pro-grade fertilizer makes it easy to achieve a professional lawn appearance without putting in too much work.
What makes this fertilizer and weed-killer combo stand out is the wide range of weeds it targets. It focuses specifically on difficult lawn weeds such as crabgrass. Not only does it kill this lawn bane, but it blocks it from returning. People who had to struggle with crabgrass in the past know how stubborn this weed is and how it often comes back the next spring. So its a plus point for this product with its proprietary formula that it keeps crabgrass from invading your lawn after applying it.
Not only does GreenView eliminate crabgrass but its also effective against over 200 other weeds including the pesky dandelions. But thats only half the story. Since were talking about weed and feed fertilizers, then the feeding part is just as important as killing and blocking weeds.
Greenview uses a 65 percent slow-release formula thats high on nitrogen to feed the grass for up to 12 weeks after each application. The 24-0-6 formula is suitable for many turfgrass varieties as long as the roots are established in the soil.
Pros
