The Effectiveness Of Weed And Feed
Weed and Feed products continue to sell in massive quantities, its premise is to offer a very simple method of killing weeds in home lawns with a process that even the least knowledgeable lawn owners can accomplish.
The problem is these products usually dont work.
In essence, Weed and Feeds are a very weak form of Broadleaf herbicide mixed with an equally weak liquid fertiliser. They are purposefully made weak so that they can be applied by anyone with little to no risk of damaging a lawn, as well as making the product a very inexpensive item to purchase.
But such a weak product will always lead to weak results, with the only weeds killed being the youngest weeds of the weakest weed types.
Because Weed and Feed only contain a Broadleaf herbicide it will not affect many other weed types, including weeds such as Winter Grass and Paspalum. Tougher Broadleaf weed types such as Oxalis will not be affected whatsoever by any Weed and Feed.
WARNING: Most Weed and Feed products will damage or kill some grass types such as Kikuyu and Buffalo. If you own these lawn types and still plan to use a Weed and Feed product, then ensure the correct product is purchased which is safe for use on these lawn types.
Best Times To Fertilize The Lawn
When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, timing is of the essence. While some weed and feeds are limited to the early spring in warm climates and late spring in cold ones, other products can be applied all season without time limitations. In general, you should wait for the air temperature to go above 55 degrees Fahrenheit before you apply the fertilizer.
Ideally, from mid-April onwards is the right time to fertilize your lawn for most parts of the United States. Always pick a warm day and avoid applying weed and feed on rainy days or during strong winds. This could blow away the granules of fertilizer or steer them to where you least want them.
After the first application in mid-April, youll need to follow up with another in Mid-may. Depending on the soil quality you will need to apply the weed and feed between six to eight weeks throughout the summer and mid-fall. If you notice weeds emerging in your lawn between applications, you can use the weed and feed in a more focused fashion on the infected areas.
Between October and April, you should hold back the fertilizer. Dormant grass doesnt need fertilizing since it could trigger new growth during the cold winter.
How To Apply Weed And Feed To Lawns
Every weed and feed product has its own specific application instructions, which must be followed for safety and for optimum results. But to give you a general idea of how to apply weed and feed, here are some guidelines:
1. Mow and water the lawn two days before applying weed and feed. This helps ensure even distribution of the granules in the wet lawn.
2. Extreme temperatures will adversely affect your lawns tolerance so always choose a day when temperatures are higher than freezing but below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Dont apply weed and feed immediately after heavy rain. Sure, you want the lawn to be moist but it shouldnt be soggy!
4. Using a rotary or drop spreader, follow the exact instructions of the particular weed and feed product youre using to apply the granules in your lawn. Cover the area evenly by walking back and forth across the lawn.
5. If youre using a spray weed and feed, attach the liquid bottle to your garden hose and apply it in a precise pattern as per the instructions to ensure full coverage.
Most weed and feed products require more than one application to yield results. It is, therefore, important that you carefully follow the directions so as to avoid burning your grass.
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How Long To Stay Off Lawn After Weed And Feed
You should be good to use your lawn again after 24-72 hours. This give the fertilizer time to work its way into the soil. See the paragraphs below for when to water after application.
As always, we would recommend that you read the manufacturers directions included on the packaging. .
You should also not carry out aerating after weed & feed application, as it can possibly damage any new emerging grass seedlings.
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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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.
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Risks To Humans And Children
Herbicides pose a threat to humans before they ever enter the soil. Like any other chemical-based substance, herbicides can irritate your skin, irritate your eyes and lungs, or cause severe illness or death if ingested.
Two of the most commonly used ingredients in herbicides, glyphosate, and paraquat, can have detrimental effects on both adults and children.
Glyphosate is one of the most popular ingredients in weed killers but has long since been banned in organic farming. It is crucial to avoid breathing in or exposing your skin and eyes to glyphosate because it can lead to chemical burns and irritation.
Paraquat is another commonly used toxic chemical in weed killers. Exposure or ingestion of paraquat can lead to a variety of chronic ailments and symptoms, including:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Death
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Weed And Feed Buying Guide
First things first, weed and feed is not to be confused with fertilizers, because the latter does not kill weeds. Weed and feed is generally available in granular form, but there are some liquid options that you can use to kill weeds and fertilize your lawn. Adding to this, they should be spread across your lawn evenly to help proactively as a weed preventer.
Fertilizers only feed your lawn with nutrients and are not a weed control solution. Therefore, you should ideally use both a fertilizer and herbicide to grow a lush lawn. But if your lawn is plagued with weeds, using a single weed and feed solution makes sense, as just one application usually works for weeks, and all through the summer.
No products found.
Southern Ag 2 4d Amine Weed Killer
This inexpensive, selective broadleaf weed control and grass killer is a classic. It uses the chemical 2, 4-D, which is highly effective against weeds. Its a simple, straightforward weed killer composed of strong ingredients and doesnt feature much filler. It avoids common grass strains like St. Augustine grass.
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Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed And Grass Killer Natural And Organic
Green Gobbler 20% vinegar weed killer is a non-selective, post-emergent herbicide. Its active ingredient is 20% acetic acid, which is four times stronger than household vinegar. This weed killer is also certified organic and is made using corn extract.
This jug of Green Gobbler comes with a trigger sprayer and is ready to use, so I didnt even need to dilute it. Because this herbicide is non-selective and post-emergent, its crucial that you not apply it to your entire lawn or garden. I found this most effective as a spot treatment weed killer for the pesky and unsightly weeds that grow amongst the cracks and through gravel drive. In my case dandelions, clovers, and crabgrass.
Unlike other toxic herbicides, you can expect to see results from Green Gobbler in 24 hours or less. I discovered that for best results, avoid applying this weed killer when rain is in the forecast. Green gobbler works best when it can soak into the plant and dry it up without water interfering.
Pros
Scotts Liquid Turf Builder
Lets face it. The main reason youre using a weed and feed fertilizer is that you dont have time to deal with weed infestation while also feeding the grass. I get it. Its a lot of work. So when a product like Scotts Liquid Turf Builder comes in a nifty easy-to-use bottle with a hose, you know youre in for a treat. All you have to do is point the nozzle and spray the liquid. It doesnt get any easier than that.
This product kills a wide range of weeds that attack lawns both in the northern and southern parts of the country. This list includes pigweed, buckhorn, ragweed, chickweed, ground ivy, plantain, henbit, spurge, knotweed, oxalis, lambsquarters, and poison ivy. It also does a good job taking care of dandelions and clover.
As a post-emergent pesticide, Liquid Turf Builder is more efficient against weeds already growing on your lawn. It doesnt prevent them from starting or stop them from coming back. So youll need to use it whenever you see weeds emerging among the turfgrass. The sooner you apply it the better results you get. With some stubborn weeds, especially clover, you might need to use another application about 3 weeks after the first one.
The container covers an area of about 6,000 square feet giving you the best value for your money. It has a custom 25-0-2 formula with a high concentration of nitrogen, zero phosphorus, and trace amounts of potassium.
Pros
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Natural Armor Weed And Grass Killer All
Natural Armor is a known and trusted brand in the weed killer community. Even though they most popularly produce weed killers that contain toxic chemicals, they stepped up their game to produce this weed and grass killer that is all-natural and non-toxic.
This is a fast-acting, non-selective post-emergent that kills weeds in as little as 24 hours and it comes in a ready-to-use formula with a spray nozzle so there is no need for messy mixing and diluting.
I liked that this product is available to buy in various sizes, ranging from 16 oz to 2.5 gallons, so it fits a variety of needs depending on the area you are looking to cover.
For best results, you will need to apply this on a sunny day with little or no breeze when the ground is 65 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Youll also need to make sure there is no rain in the forecast for the next couple of days.
Pros
Weed & Feed Tips And Tricks
1. If youre unsure of which type of grass you have outside, you can find out by taking a small sample to your local tree nursery or garden expert. Any experienced gardener will be able to take one look at your sample and decide which type of grass you have.
2. To boost the effectiveness of your product, mow your lawn 1-2 days before you apply it. Then, the clippings from the next three or four mows should be quickly discarded and not used as mulch or for flower beds, as theyre likely to contain chunks of weed that could start to grow.
3. Weed and feed products only work on broadleaf weeds. This includes an array of the most common weeds including dandelions, chickweed, and henbit, but excludes plants like crabgrass. Youll need a different product to deal with weeds that dont have leaves for the product to settle on.
4. Dont skip the mowing! Before you use a weed and feed, be sure to lug out that old lawn mower and go over the lawn a day or two before. Although its not the most fun summer activity, it is necessary. Mowing allows weeds to better absorb non-systemic solutions and gives systemic solutions better access to the soil.
5. Take care to avoid spreading weed and feed on flower beds, vegetable gardens, or plants that you dont want to kill. Weed and feeds target broadleaf plants and are not selective when it comes to whether the plant is a weed or not if it touches a broadleaf plant, it will kill it.
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Types Of Weed And Feed
When selecting the best weed and feed fertilizer for your lawn, you often have to make a choice between the two main types, liquid or granular. Each has its advantages and drawbacks.
- Liquid: You will often use liquid weed and feed if you have a small lawn or backyard. It is often easier and more convenient to apply than granular products. The container often has concentrated liquid and youll need to connect it to your garden hose and start spraying. The whole process can take no more than a half-hour to cover your lawn. Some products such as Scotts Liquid Turf Builder have a lower risk of burning the grass since you can adjust the water flow as well as the concentration of the fertilizer according to your needs.
- Granular: If you have a large lawn, then granular weed and feeds are a better option. You load the spreader with the fertilizer and criss-cross the lawn until youre done. Theres less risk of spillage or stains with granular fertilizers. GreenView is an excellent example of this type. It doesnt require diluting or mixing with water which makes it less messy. This is the recommended type for lawns larger than a quarter acre but less than one acre.
The Types Of Fertilizer
As youve probably gathered, fertilizers come in many different forms and types. There are liquid fertilizers, granular fertilizers, and plant food spikes. There are also synthetic and organic products. Below are descriptions of all of the most popular kinds of fertilizers so you can determine which one is right for you.
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The Fertilising Benefits Are:
- Wider choice: some lawn fertilisers work for up to 6 months from only one application!
- Can use the lawn immediately after application
- Safe for pets, plants and kids
- Are granular not powdery so cleaner and easier to use
- Used correctly they wont cause fertiliser burn or scorch the grass
- Dont need watering in if applied correctly
- No trying to guess the weather and apply in time for rain
- Are far less likely to clog in the fertiliser spreader
- Have much greater safety and margin for error
- Makes spreading lawn fertilisers a doddle
- Can be used in all shoulder, broadcast and drop spreaders
- Kept correctly in a sealed container they will keep for many years
Granular Vs Liquid Application
There are generally 2 types of weed and feed products: Granular and Liquid. For the everyday lawn aficionado, liquid is more convenient for small lawns because it can typically be connected directly to your hose and easily sprayed across the yard. It shouldnt take more than 15-30 minutes to treat your whole yard this way.
Granular is best for mid-size or larger lawns, since the spreader will be easier to push around to ensure even disbursement. It still doesnt require any mixing, though youll want to read the label and be sure to set the spreader to the right number. This is the best choice for lawns larger than ¼ of an acre, but still less than 1 acre.
For owners of large properties who see their spread of lawn as a large carpet to be show off with pride, a liquid concentrate is the way to go. It will require correctly diluting the weed and feed but pulling a sprayer behind a motorized vehicle is preferable to walking all over creation behind a granular spreader. These large-scale liquid concentrates require a bit more confidence and know-how than the simple sprayer liquids or the granule options, but they really are the only way to weed and feed more than an acre of lawn.
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Alternatives To Weed And Feed
If you have only a small number of weeds in your lawn, spot treatment may be all thats required. Then you can concentrate on the fertilizer and nutrients for the rest of your lawn. Besides commercially produced fertilizers, natural methods such as composting or even a mulching lawn mower might be appropriate.
Any way you decide to do it, keep at it and give your lawn care methods time to be effective. That gorgeous lawn is within your reach.
Weed and feed is a mixture. There isnt one magic chemical that both destroys weeds and fortifies grass. The best weed and feed is two products packaged together. The chemicals in each are carefully balanced so as not to cancel each other out. Hopefully this guide on the best weed and feed has helped you and your garden.
Macronutrients are needed in large quantities. Some are not available in soil in sufficient quantities. Those are the primary ingredients you will find in fertilizer.
When And How To Fertilize New Grass
If you’re starting a new lawn from seed, sod or plugs or you’re doing bare lawn spot repair a starter fertilizer helps grass get the perfect start. Unlike established lawns, new grass benefits from extra phosphorus, an essential plant nutrient that supports strong, deep roots. Some states only allow phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers on new grass, so check with your county extension office if you’re unsure.
On fertilizer products, phosphorus is the middle number in the N-P-K ratio usually “0” in normal lawn fertilizers. But with Pennington UltraGreen Starter Fertilizer 22-23-4, you get an ideal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus other essential lawn nutrients, including iron for deep green color. This premium fertilizer blend starts feeding new grass immediately and keeps feeding it for up to three months.
Always follow guidelines for the best time to plant grass seed for your region and grass type, then fertilize accordingly. For seed or plugs, apply fertilizer with a regular lawn spreader before you plant. If you’re starting a lawn with sod, fertilize after your sod is in place.
With any new lawn area, avoid using crabgrass preventer fertilizers or weed & feed fertilizers within four weeks before planting time. After seeding, wait until your new grass gets established and you’ve mowed your lawn at least three times.
Weed & feed fertilizers kill tough weeds and feed your lawn.
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