How to Combine Weed and Feed into Your Turf Management
You’ve heard a lot about weed and feed. But what is it and how can it help you create the perfect patch of emerald green lawn in your backyard?
Is it worth the effort, you may be asking yourself. Or is it just another of those gimmicky products designed to catch your attention?
With that in mind, let’s guide you through the complexities of weed and feed for lawns. You’ll be a pro in no time, and your grass will reward you with a verdant display.
What Is Weed and Feed?
In a nutshell, weed and feed is a combined product designed to firstly kill off weeds such as crabgrass (couch grass), dandelion and thistles, amongst others. Depending upon which product you use, and what’s in the pesticide, you may well find that other weeds such as moss are also killed at the same time.
The weed killer element of the product kills only those plants considered as weeds, leaving the lawn unharmed.
Secondly, the feed aspect, fertilizer, provides vital nutrients designed to deliver high amounts of nitrogen (and other essential minerals). These important supplements strengthen the grass and make it grow faster. At the same time the turf looks greener and healthier.
The Benefits of Using Weed and Feed on Lawns
The benefits of using weed and feed are clear – if used properly. In the first instance, getting rid of weeds helps to provide for grass seeds to establish themselves without the competition of weeds.
Timed applications make sure you are killing weeds when they are young. It is easier to eradicate them, as they don’t have a chance to grow, flower and set seed.
Giving grass more light and space, along with feeding them the appropriate balance of nutrients, will encourage healthier, greener growth. An, it gives lawns a better chance of surviving heat, drought and winter weather.
Drawbacks to Using Weed & Feed
Of course, there are always drawbacks. After all, you are considering using a pesticide on growing plants. Weed killers of any sort can create problems. However, recognizing pitfalls and being able to confidently use the product will soon banish your worries.
Over/Under Application – Too heavy-handed and you potentially kill the grass you’re trying to weed and feed. Too little, and you won’t get the results you are after.
Run-off and Drift – Whenever weed killers or fertilizer get into water systems, they cause havoc with the environment. For instance, if weed and feed drifts into your fish pond, it is likely to result in the death of your fish. Fish are asphyxiated due to algae blooming, growing across the water, and trapping fish below the surface.
Continuous Usage – Repeated doses of chemicals can adversely damage your lawn, reducing the health of your soil. By killing beneficial bugs in the soil, you are working against the natural order of things.
How to Use Weed and Feed
Now you understand a little more of the complexities, let’s take a look at the best ways to weed and feed your lawn.
Searching for the best weed and feed products, you’ll be bombarded with a host of different brands. All vying to grab your attention, it can be overwhelming to decide what you need.
Many of the products on sale will combine the process, so you weed and feed at the same time. However, this may not be the best route for your lawn and location.
By carefully considering what you want to achieve, your location and specific conditions, you may want to first weed kill, then fertilize in a 2 step process. Whilst this may take more time, nevertheless it will give you greater control over the individual elements of weed and feed.
Weed
If you take the 2 step route, you will want to weed kill first.
By killing the weeds, you will give grass the best chance to grow into the recently occupied weed space. Give the weed killer at least 4 days to work before fertilizing, longer if you can. However, don’t give the weeds the opportunity to start growing back!
Feed
The best time to feed or fertilize your lawn is when the grass is actively growing. Take up of nutrients will be enhanced, ensuring you get optimum nourishment into your grass. By encouraging strong growth of grass, you will be helping to block regrowth of weeds.
Weed and Feed Spreaders
One of the best ways to distribute weed and feed products is by using a fertilizer spreader.
Whatever you use, make sure the spreader is thoroughly clean from its last use, especially if you have been using pesticides. You definitely do not want to get the wrong product on your grass, and inadvertently end up with brown patches, or worse still, dead turf!
A good broadcast spreader will save you time and money, making sure the correct amount of weed and feed product is distributed across your lawn.
For more tips and help with fertilizer spreaders, take a look at this article – How to Use a Fertilizer Spreader Like a Pro.
How to Use Weed and Feed Safely: Step by Step Tips for Optimum Application
- Identify the common lawn weeds you want to kill off, and buy the best product for your project.
- Select the right fertilizer to give you the growth and color you’re after.
- Choose a calm, dry day to start your weed and feed program.
- Mow your lawn 3-4 days prior to when you wish to apply your weed killer element or weed and feed product.
- Water your turf lightly, just enough to dampen the leaves before beginning your weed and feed plan.
- For optimum coverage, use either a drop spreader or broadcast spreader to apply your weed and feed.
- Make certain you remove any weed and feed product from sidewalks and driveways, otherwise this will be washed into drains and find its way into waterways, damaging the environment.
- Keep children and pets off the grass until weed and feed has been absorbed into the grass and residue has been washed away.
- Don’t be too quick to water your lawn following application of weed and feed products. Allow at least 24 hours for the grass to absorb the product and for it to start to take action. In some cases, you will need to leave longer before watering.
- If you are on a 2 step plan leave sufficient time between weed killer application and mowing before applying fertilizer.
- Make sure you leave another 3-4 day (at least) period between fertilizer application and mowing again.
- Always refer to your products directions for timings and application rates.
How to Use Weed and Feed Like A Pro
Hopefully, you’ve overcome your fears of how best to use weed and feed for your lawn. You’ve learned how to get the right products to produce a strong, healthy, and most importantly of all, a beautiful, rich green swathe of grass.
You’ve explored some of the drawbacks and discovered the Cresco range of spreaders to help you get the most from your weed and feed applications.
Cresco Spreaders are the ultimate in tools designed for convenience, ease of use and all at a sensible price. With dual summer and winter use, your backyard work will be a cinch! Why not claim your own weed and feed spreader now?
