When Should You Apply Weed and Feed to Your Lawn? Check Out Our Guide

Weed and feed products can be very useful in lawn care, but it's important to know when the perfect time is to apply it. Otherwise, you won't be getting the full benefit from either the weeding or the feeding side of your product.

The right time to apply weed and feed is in spring, when your grass has grown enough that it needs to be mowed for the first time that year. Right afterward is an optimal time to spread weed and feed.

Learn why weed and feed should be applied in spring, how to apply it, and what the different types of weed and feed are.

When to Apply Weed and Feed

Apply weed and feed when your lawn is tall enough for its first spring mowing. Mow once or twice, water the grass, and right afterward is a good time to apply weed and feed since it will adhere well to the wet grass.

Ideally, you want to apply it in the early evening before the sun goes down and the ground isn't too hot. The heat can cause adverse effects on the grass, almost scorching it with the addition of the fertilizer.

Considerations Before Applying Weed and Feed

If you want to control weeds that are late to emerge, then you need a weed and feed product that has a pre-emergent herbicide. This targets the seeds of plants that aren't present yet.

If the weeds you're aiming to control are spring weeds, the product you need is one with a post-emergent herbicide, which tackles weeds that have already emerged on the lawn.

Weed and feed is meant to satisfy two lawn-care needs at once, but ensure the conditions are right for handling both weed killing and fertilizing to get the most out of the product. You'll want to strike the right balance before too many weeds have emerged (so the fertilization of the grass can be effective).

How to Apply Successfully

1. Keep an eye on the weather and shoot for a sunny day. Consult your local forecast and wait for a period when no rain is in the forecast for a few days.
2. Water the lawn before applying weed and feed. However, avoid mowing a lawn that's receiving a post-emergent herbicide, since you want to directly target the weeds. Avoid mowing afterward for a few days, too, to let that herbicide sink in.
3. Gather the proper tools and safety supplies. The only tool you need for application is a fertilizer spreader, although you should also wear gloves and a mask for safety. The spreader can be either a rotary type or a drop type.
4. Follow the instructions on the weed and feed package. After ensuring that the hopper is shut, pour some of the weed and feed into it. Push your spreader around the perimeter of your lawn first, then proceed to fill in the rest of the lawn.
5. Keep in a straight line as you make each pass and overlap them. This will help you distribute the product as evenly as possible.
6. Water the product immediately into the soil. However, a weed and feed with a post-emergent herbicide is an exception to this rule. You want the herbicide to stay in contact with the weed foliage for a long enough time to kill the weeds.

How Does Weed and Feed Work?

"Weed and feed" does not refer to a single product. Rather, it is an umbrella term for several 2-in-1 lawn products.

These products have both herbicides and fertilizers in them. The idea is that, by using them, you can control certain weeds and feed your grass at the same time.

Not only does weed and feed offer convenience, but its two components (herbicide and fertilizer) potentially work together to make your lawn lush. This is because weed and feed works by eliminating weeds that would compete with your lawn for sunshine, water, and nutrients, while, simultaneously, providing your grass with the nutrients it needs.

Different Types of Weed and Feed to Consider

Since "weed and feed" is an umbrella term, it can describe different products. How do you choose between them? Consider several different issues before buying:

• Do you prefer to work with granules or a liquid?
• What is your type of grass? Some herbicides are compatible only with certain kinds of grass and may harm other kinds. Read the label carefully before buying a weed and feed.
• Are you trying to control weeds that are already present or weeds that will emerge later if allowed to?
• There's another distinction to draw between weeds: broadleaf types and grass-like types. Check the package to make sure the herbicide kills the type of weed you're trying to control before buying.
• Even the NPK ratio in the fertilizer can be different from product to product. So if you've had the soil under your lawn tested and know that it's lacking in a particular nutrient, you may be able to address the problem by applying the right weed and feed.