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When To Weed And Feed Lawns

Early Spring And Fall Are The Best Times For A Healthy Lawn

Lawn Care 101: How to Weed, Seed, Feed, Mow, & Water

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 a healthy lawn and other 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, or your product includes a crabgrass preventer, 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 at daytime temperatures above 90-degrees, the types of herbicides used to kill tough broadleaf weeds such as dandelions and clover should be applied from late spring onwards.

Granular Weed N Feed Chemicals Harm The Environment

Quick-release fertilizers, commonly used in most weed n feed products, apply a quick and heavy dose of nutrients to the lawn, and are more likely to wash off when watered or after it rains. Even if you dont live near the water, pesticides from your yard could travel through storm drains untreated to the nearest stream or lake, or seep into the water table. Nitrogen and other plant nutrients create algae blooms that smother aquatic life forms in streams, ponds, rivers and even the ocean. In addition, a main ingredient in weed and feed, 2,4-D or 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, has recently been cited as a contributor to contaminating salmon habitat.

Birds eat weed n feed granules as grit. Studies have linked weed-and-feed and crane fly pesticides to massive bird deaths, and this has caused the removal of some of the most toxic ingredients from the market.


What Happens If You Put Too Much Weed And Feed On Your Lawn

Overfeeding your lawn with weed and feed can damage your grass and could even kill your lawn. The health of your plants can be adversely affected by the use of products that change the soil ph. The best way to over fertilize is to use a fertilizer that is designed for lawns.

If you do not have access to a lawn fertilizer, you can purchase one at your local garden center or garden supply store. You can also purchase a soil test kit that will test your soil to determine the amount of fertilizer you need to apply.

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Late Summer To Late Fall

Between August and November, grass slows down and prepares for the winter months. At the same time, broadleaf weeds start active growth again. With Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed & Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14, you can feed your northern or southern lawn nutrients essential to its winter prep and spring green-up and kill broadleaf weeds. As a general rule, allow six to eight weeks between fertilizing and your first expected frost.

As with all fertilizer products, check the label and follow instructions for your specific grass type. If you’re overseeding, wait until next year for weed & feed. Instead, turn to Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer 30-0-4 for the year’s final feeding.


Always sweep excess fertilizer off sidewalks and patios to avoid runoff.

Tips For Feeding Your Lawn

Scotts Turf Builder Weed &  Feed, 15 M

To get the best results out of feeding your lawn, you need to pay attention to your feeding schedule. Timing is of the utmost importance, and knowing when to spread your fertilizer is half the battle.

For older, established lawns, early springtime is the best time for the first feeding session of the season. If you use a slow-releasing formula, you wont have to feed again until mid-May. After the May feeding, youll need to increase the fertilizer schedule to once every six weeks to accommodate the summer growth. Keep feeding your lawn through until the end of October.

Read: Top 10 Best Fertilizer Spreaders Reviewed: Complete Guide

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Weed And Feed: How Often Is Enough For Your Lawn

Theres a delicate balance when applying certain products to your lawn, and weed and feed is one that you have to be most cautious of.

Due to the insecticide element of this product, using too much can do serious damage to your lawn, so its important to get the timing right.

How often should you weed and feed your lawn? A weed and feed product should be applied no more than two times a year, and sometimes only once will be enough. This is considered a harsher type of lawn care application and its possible to apply too much and do irreversible damage to your grass. Weed and feed is beneficial in that it does two jobs in one, but its not always going to be the right time to use them.

If you like this multipurpose lawn product and want to ensure youre doing the best for your grass, check out our guide on when to apply weed and feed the safe way.

Final Thoughts On Weed & Feed

Weed & Feed is a great way to promote healthy grass, so that your lawn looks its best! Its an effective weed preventer that doubles as a fertilizer. Applying it correctly, with the help of a professional or by following instructions carefully, will give you the best results. Be sure to read all safety precautions before using this product and follow them closely for the healthiest lawn possible. Thanks for reading!


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What Benefits Does It Offer

The primary benefit of weed and feed is that it kills weeds and strengthens grass. Since there are many weed and feed products available, not all of them have the same level of effectiveness. However, on average, the weed and feed technique does work, at least somewhat.

Another benefit is that youre essentially getting two products in one. Instead of buying two separate products, a weed killer and a fertilizer, and applying them separately, youre able to get one product that you can apply once. This saves on time, money, and energy. Additionally, you dont need to worry about the two chemicals potentially reacting to each other once applied. Since theyre bottled together, you can be reasonably sure theyre safe.

When Not To Apply Weed And Feed

Weed, Feed & Green your lawn

Naturally, you cant apply lawn weed and feed during the winter. When the temperatures are below zero weedings and feeding isnt recommended, because the soil is too hard and cant absorb the nutrients. Summer is also a not good idea for weeding and feeding because the soil can be too dry for absorbing the nutrients. However, there are some exceptions, for instance with Scotts weed and feed schedule.

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What Kind Of Results Can I Expect From Using Weed And Feed Formulas

With all of the weed and feed products in this review, you can expect excellent results. Some have slight variations than others, but they all do an excellent job of controlling weeds while improving the health of your lawn. All of the formulations in this review come with excellent mineral levels to sort out any deficiencies in your garden.

When Should You Apply Weed & Feed

Start by looking at the instructions on your product. This will give you a clear time frame for when to start applying it. In general, you will want to apply weed and feed in late spring or early summer . This will give your lawn a boost of nutrients that will help it stay healthy all season long. Weed and feed should be applied no more than twice a year. So, if you apply weed and feed in the spring or early summer, you can apply again in the fall. Applications should be at least two months apart.

You do not want to apply weed and feed in the winter. This is because the products will not work as well in cold weather. In addition, you could damage your lawn if you apply when the ground is frozen or covered in snow.

If you are unsure when to start, reach out to your local nursery or garden center for advice. They can help you choose the right time frame for your specific region and climate. By following their tips, you can ensure that your lawn looks great all year long!

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When Should I Water My Lawn After Applying Weed & Feed

Youll want to water your lawn within 24 hours of applying weed and feed. Be sure to give your lawn a good soaking, saturating the soil at least six inches deep. You may need to water more than once, depending on how dry your soil is. Dont wait until your lawn is thirsty watering regularly will help it absorb the weed and feed evenly and reduce runoff.

If youre not sure how much water to give your lawn, use this guide: For every 1000 square feet of lawn, apply 0.75-0.85 gallons of water using a sprinkler or oscillating nozzle. If you have an irrigation system, set it for three minutes per zone. Make sure the entire area being irrigated is evenly moist.

When Should You Apply Lawn Weed And Feed Here Are Handy Tips Timing And More

Scotts Turf Builder Winterguard 28
  • Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist

QUESTION: When do we apply weed and feed to our lawns? I read in your column that we apply lawn fertilizer at the end of March. But should I apply weed and feed before that or after that? If I apply a weed and feed, do I need to apply a lawn fertilizer? —Wanda

ANSWER: The timing of applying weed and feed products is based on when it’s time to fertilize the lawn. So weed and feeds, like regular lawn fertilizers, are applied the last week of March or early April.

A weed and feed product is a lawn fertilizer combined with a weed killer. A lawn fertilizer just contains fertilizer, without any weed killer. Whatever you do, you must not apply a weed and feed and then turn around and apply a lawn fertilizer. You will over fertilize the lawn and may damage the grass. Use one or the other, not both.

Generally speaking, I recommend separating weed control and fertilization. A lawn weed killer should be applied anytime a weed problem is noticed. This may be done year round as needed. The cool-season weeds noticeable in area lawns now, for instance, would have been better controlled by applying a lawn weed killer back in January or February rather than waiting until late March to apply a weed and feed.

Dan Gill is a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter.

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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 post or pre emergent type.

When To Water After Applying Weed And Feed Fertilizer Application

With a granular product, it is important not to 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.

Since no two products are built exactly the same, you should refer to manufacturers usage guidelines.

Many 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 complete 4 step program, 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!

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Weed And Feed Lawns: Where To Begin

Weed & Feed products combine a lawn fertilizer with a weed killer and/or weed preventer in one product. One application does double duty, treating random weeds spread across an entire lawn while also feeding and greening grass. Weed & Feeds come in two basic formulations, granules and liquids. But before you make an application, here are some things you need to know about weed & feed products.

Weed & Feed Starts With Weeding

The weed half of weed & feed contains some mix of herbicides to kill lawn weeds. Almost all products contain a post-emergent herbicide, but some also combine a pre-emergent herbicide designed to prevent new weeds from sprouting.

Post-Emergent herbicides kill existing lawn weeds like Dandelion, Clover and many other common weeds. The complete list of weeds can be found on your products label. These post-emergents are always selective herbicides, so they will not harm existing grass when applied as directed. New innovations, like BioAdvanced 5-in-1 Weed & Feed, also kill grassy weeds like Crabgrass, eliminating the need for multiple applications of additional herbicides to achieve control.

Pre-Emergent herbicides are meant to keep new weeds from germinating and growing. Timing is the key, apply too early and the preventer can become ineffective while weeds are still dormant. Apply too late and seeds may have already germinated. Youre probably most familiar with Crabgrass preventers that are applied in early spring.

And Ends With Feeding

Trugreen: Our Top Lawn Care Company

How Kill Lawn Weeds This Fall with Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Weed & Feed

House Method recommends TruGreen as a lawn care provider. TruGreen sends professionally trained service technicians to care for your lawn, starting with a Healthy Lawn Analysis® that will determine the health of your lawn. TruGreen will tailor a treatment plan that meets the needs of your lawn.

With over four decades of experience, TruGreen services more homes in America than any other lawn service provider.* The company also guarantees you a healthy lawn, and technicians will come back between scheduled visits as needed to ensure youre satisfied.

TruGreen offers three levels of service.

  • TruHealthSM Lawn Plan is an excellent alternative to applying weed and feed because it focuses on correctly timed applications of fertilizer and weed control products. The plan also includes an application of lime, a soil amendment that improves the condition of your lawn.
  • TruCompleteSM Lawn Plan includes fertilizing, weed control, lime application, and aeration, which reduces soil compaction and improves the health of the grass. The most popular among customers, this service plan includes all the treatments needed for a healthy lawn.
  • TruSignatureSM Lawn Plan includes all the treatments for a healthy lawn and extends care to the trees and shrubs in your landscape. In addition to lawn-care visits, technicians will target the insects and diseases that can damage landscaping plants. This level is a great choice if you see your yard as an outdoor room for family fun and entertaining.

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When To Apply Weed And Feed

As a Lowes garden manager, one of the most asked questions I get is about healthy, green, weed free lawns. Here are my tips and directions for your Lowes lawn care program applying Sta Green or Scotts.

Weed and feed fertilizer will help improve your lawn.

The number one question: When is the best time to apply weed and feed to my lawn?

Wellit depends really. Where you live, whether you have sun or shade, and lots of other things make a big difference in what your lawn needs. Most regions in the United States can apply weed and feed from March till November.

A well-fed lawn is healthier, which means it has a better root system to combat heat, cold, drought, mowing, foot traffic and other stresses.

One easy to follow rule is to use the summer holidays as your guide.

If youre going to fertilize, remember the summer holidays of Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day as good times to apply.

Memorial Day-Weed and Feed

Fertilizer with Insect Control

Labor Day Fall Fertilizer

Remember, crabgrass control will need to be early spring, so maybe around Easter.

There are some simple rules to follow when choosing and applying your weed and feed products. Lowes can help you build a successful program specifically for your lawn with Scotts Turfbuilder and Sta-Green Fertilizer programs.

And while fertilizing even once a year will improve the condition of the lawn, a well-fed lawn that receives 4 feedings a year will do much better.

Cant Find It At Lowes?

When & How To Apply Weed & Feed: A Complete Guide

David Kranker

Weed and Feed is a popular type of lawn care supplement that is applied to your lawn to help control weeds, feed the soil, and make your yard look better. If youre in pursuit of a beautiful, weed free lawn, then weed and feed may be the right product for you. However, there are some things you should know before applying it! We have put together this blog post with all the information you need about weed and feed so you can decide when and how best to use the supplement for your yard.

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