When and How to Apply Weed & Feed

Yesterday was a good day. I took a day off work to relax and knock off a few things from my ever growing to-do list. One of those items was to spread weed & feed on my lawn. I missed the window to spread preemergent crabgrass preventer (even though Fred wrote a great post about it). I’m fortunate that I don’t have a ton of crabgrass to head off. However, I have plenty of dandelions. Here are some details about weed & feed and how to use it effectively.

What is Weed & Feed?

I purchased Vigoro Weed & Feed from the big box store. I didn’t really have a preference as most options seem very similar to me. Weed & feed is designed to strengthen existing grass and kill off broadleaf weeds simultaneously.  Plus, it improves your lawn’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. It’s composed of several parts. Weed & feed has a fertilizer to “green up” your lawn. It also has a weed killer that will target broadleaf weeds like dandelions and many others. Vigoro adds a third part, a timed-release nitrogen for extended feeding.

When to Apply Weed & Feed

It’s best to apply weed & feed in early spring or fall when the weeds are growing. Spread weed & feed on wet grass (use a sprinkler or after rain) so that the granules adhere to the weeds. Pick a time when no rain is expected and avoid watering your lawn for about 2 days. This allows time for the weed control to work before being washed away.

How to Spread Weed & Feed

There are a few important details to remember when spreading weed & feed. Keep these in mind for best results. These tips are not intended to replace manufacturers instructions.

• Make sure your lawn is a normal height (not too tall, not too short).
• Wait a couple days after mowing. This protects your grass and helps ensure the weeds are actively growing.
• You can’t water your lawn, so don’t apply during a dry / hot spell.
• Be careful not to apply too much as this will damage your grass. Check the manufacturers guidelines.
• Only apply weed & feed twice per year.
• Be sure to spread uniformly for best results.
• Avoid spreading granules onto flowers, vegetables, and ornamental shrubbery.

Planting Grass or Aerating after Weed & Feed

Weed & Feed prevents seed germination so you should avoid planting new grass for at least four weeks. I’d recommend waiting longer. If you weed & feed in the spring, spread grass seed in the fall. You should also wait at least two weeks before aerating. This allows enough time for the product to work.

Reasons Weed & Feed Didn’t Work

Here are some common reasons that weed & feed was ineffective:

• Weed & feed targets broadleaf weeds like dandelions, and dollarweeds. It does nothing for crabgrass and other grassy weeds. Make sure your weeds are on the list.
• Mature weeds are not actively growing, so the product isn’t as effective. Weed & 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 2 days after applying.

What if You Apply Too Much Weed & Feed

The best way to avoid damaging your lawn is the flush out the weed & feed. Water your lawn with 1 to 2 inches of water for about 4 days. Don’t apply any other weed & feed until the following year.

What do you think? Do you put down weed & feed?

by: Ethan | April 24, 2009 | filed in: Gardening, Projects
Related Tags: feed, weed

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