Homeowners everywhere want to achieve a lush lawn while keeping weeds at bay. Many turn to weed and feed, a dual-purpose solution that promises to nourish their grass while combating unwanted weeds. It sounds like a dream come true, but is weed and feed bad for your lawn? Discover the benefits, concerns, and eco-friendly alternatives, so you can decide whether the controversial yet convenient product is right for your yard.
What is weed and feed?
Weed and feed is a granular or liquid product that combines fertilizers and herbicides. The dual-purpose solution fertilizes your yard while eliminating common weeds.
Key components:
- Fertilizer: Weed and feed products contain essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) that promote healthy grass growth.
- Weed control: The product also includes herbicides designed to target and kill common lawn weeds. Herbicides often include broadleaf weed killers like 2,4-D, or dicamba.
Concerns and controversies over weed and feed
While weed and feed products promise a healthier lawn, they also come with a set of concerns and controversies.
Environmental impact
Weed and feed products spark significant environmental concerns because of the consequences of using herbicides. One of the most pressing concerns is the risk of water contamination. Rainfall or irrigation systems wash excess herbicides into storm drains, which find their way into local waterways and negatively impact aquatic life.
Furthermore, weed and feed herbicides are not selective, meaning they harm non-target plants in your yard and also pose a threat to beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies. The accumulation of herbicides in the soil disrupts microbial balances and nutrient processing.
Overall, the long-term use of weed and feed products contributes to herbicide resistance in weeds, harm to beneficial insects and landscape plants, and polluted runoff.
Chemical buildup
If you don’t have a lot of lawn weeds, applying weed and feed to your entire lawn encourages herbicide dependency. When used regularly, your lawn may become reliant on potent herbicides to keep weeds at bay. Continuous application of weed and feed weakens your lawn’s natural ability to control weeds.
If your lawn suffers from sporadic weeds, apply a selective herbicide labeled for the weed type directly to specimens.
Risk to children and pets
Children and pets frequently play on lawns, and if you have applied weed and feed recently, there is a risk of skin contact. Herbicide residues on your grass can irritate or harm the skin with direct contact.
Similarly, curious children or pets may ingest weed and feed pellets or the treated grass. While most products are relatively safe when used correctly, ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or more severe reactions.
Always keep children and pets off treated areas to reduce the risk of direct exposure.
Chemical transfer
Even if you don’t walk on your lawn after applying weed and feed, your shoes may still pick up the chemicals and bring them indoors. After applying weed and feed, herbicide residues cling to shoes, clothing, or pet fur and are carried into your home.
Once inside, these chemicals settle on your floors, carpets, or furniture. While the levels are typically low, prolonged exposure to indoor contaminants is best avoided. Removing shoes outdoors reduces your risk of chemical transfer.
Application challenges
Although weed and feed products are convenient, they can be more challenging to apply than they appear. Common application challenges include:
- Uneven distribution: Achieving consistent and even distribution of pellets across your lawn can be tricky. Uneven application results in some areas receiving too much or too little product, leading to inconsistent results.
- Windy conditions: Windy days can make applications particularly challenging. Strong gusts can carry the granules away from your target area, potentially causing drift and harm to your nearby plants.
- Overlapping: It is easy to overlap areas when using a spreader, leading to double dosing in some spots and missed coverage in others.
- Calibration errors: Incorrectly calibrating your spreader leads to inaccurate application rates. This results in overdosing, which damages your lawn, or underdosing, which may not effectively control weeds.
- Timing: Timing is crucial when applying weed and feed. Applying it too early or too late in the season can impact its effectiveness, as it may not coincide with the growth cycles of weeds.
- Rain and irrigation: Ideally, you want to apply weed and feed when there is no rain in the forecast. If it rains shortly after application, rainfall washes the product away, reducing its effectiveness.
Benefits of weed and feed
Uncover some benefits associated with weed and feed.
Convenient
Weed and feed products score high on the convenience scale with homeowners for weed control and fertilizing. With a single pass of your spreader, you can simultaneously tackle different types of weeds and nourish your grass with lawn fertilizer.
The timesaving product reduces your lawn care complexity while offering consistent results. For homeowners with busy schedules or limited time for lawn care, weed and feed products provide an efficient way to maintain a healthy lawn without multiple applications or specialized equipment.
Season-specific weed and feed products simplify the decision-making process. For example, some products address pre-emergent weeds in the early spring, while others target post-emergent weeds like crabgrass in the late spring or early summer.
Easy-to-use
Weed and feeds are popular among homeowners and landscape maintenance crews because the product is ready to use. The only measure is knowing your lawn’s square footage.
Manufacturers formulate weed and feed products to ensure that each granule or pellet contains the precise blend of herbicides and fertilizers required for even coverage. This level of precision guarantees consistent results across your entire lawn and avoids mixing errors and miscalculations.
The simplicity of weed and feed products makes them accessible to homeowners with all levels of lawn care expertise, and the ready-to-go product is ideal for beginners.
Addresses a wide range of lawn weeds
Not only is weed and feed an easy 2-in-1 application, but it also delivers effective control against several weed types. The herbicides in weed and feed products are post-emergent or pre-emergent weed killers or both. Post-emergent herbicides kill existing weeds in the lawn, while pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Weed and feed products combat a diverse array of lawn weeds, including dandelions, clover, crabgrass, chickweed, and more. This broad-spectrum approach ensures that a single application targets various weed species.
Fertilizes
Spreading weed and feed across your lawn not only provides effective weed control, but the fertilizer also packs a punch. Weed and feed products contain a balanced blend of essential nutrients, typically including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in varying ratios. These nutrients are vital for the overall health of your grass.
- Nitrogen is often the most prominent nutrient in weed and feed formulas. It promotes green growth and encourages the development of new leaves and stems, giving your lawn a vibrant appearance.
- Phosphorus is essential for root development and overall plant energy transfer. A healthy root system allows your grass to access water and nutrients efficiently, contributing to its resilience.
- Potassium helps your grass become more resilient to environmental stressors, such as drought or extreme temperatures. It plays a vital role in maintaining overall plant health and vigor.
Most weed and feed products feature slow-release technology, which gradually releases nutrients over an extended period. This ensures a consistent and long-lasting food supply for your lawn.
Best practices for weed and feed
To maximize the effectiveness of weed and feed products while minimizing potential issues, follow some best practices for application and lawn care:
Read the label
Carefully read the product label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding application rates, timing, and safety precautions. Each product has specific guidelines.
Choose the right product
Select a product suitable for your lawn type and the specific weed problems you are facing. Consider season-specific formulas for optimal results.
Timing matters
Apply weed and feed products at the appropriate time for your region and lawn type. Cool-season grass types respond to spring and early fall applications, while late spring to early summer is ideal for warm-season cultivars.
Mow before applying
Before applying weed and feed, mow your lawn to the recommended height for your grass type. This helps ensure even product distribution and contact with weeds.
| Grass Type | Recommended Height |
| Bermudagrass | 0.5 – 1.5 inches |
| Buffalograss | 2 – 3 inches |
| Centipedegrass | 1.5 – 2 inches |
| Fine fescue | 1.5 – 2.5 inches |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 1.5 – 2.5 inches |
| Perennial ryegrass | 1.5 – 2.5 inches |
| St. Augustinegrass | 2 – 4 inches |
| Tall fescue | 2 – 3 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | 0.5 – 2 inches |
Calibrate your spreader
Calibrate your spreader to ensure accurate application. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to set the spreader’s settings correctly.
Check the weather
Choose a calm day for application with little to no wind to prevent herbicide drift. Avoid applying before heavy rain, as it may wash away the product.
Avoid overlapping
Apply products evenly to avoid overlapping, which can cause overdosing and potential damage to your lawn.
Minimize foot traffic
Keep children and pets off the treated area until it’s dry, as per the product’s instructions, to prevent potential exposure.
Water
Some products require watering immediately after application, while others need time to adhere to the weeds. Follow the recommended post-application care instructions.
Preventative maintenance
To minimize weed problems, consider proper lawn care practices, including regular mowing, aeration, and addressing soil issues.
Weed and feed alternatives
Just like sports, the best defense is a good offense. A healthy lawn is the best defense. However, if you are looking for alternatives to pesticides and chemical fertilizers, there are several eco-friendly options available for achieving a healthy, weed-free lawn.
- Organic lawn care: Embrace organic lawn care practices, including natural organic fertilizers, compost, and organic mulch. Organic lawn care focuses on building healthy soil and promoting grass growth, which naturally suppresses weeds.
- Hand-pull weeds: For small lawn areas or isolated weed problems, consider hand weeding. This method involves manually removing weeds from your lawn, either by pulling them or using a dandelion fork for broadleaf weeds.
- Spot-treat: Instead of applying broad-spectrum herbicides, opt for spot treatments with targeted weed control products. This approach minimizes herbicide use and reduces runoff and the impact on non-target plants and ecosystems.
- Natural herbicides: Explore natural pre-emergent herbicides made from corn gluten meal or other plant-based ingredients. These products inhibit weed seed germination without harming existing plants.
- Conduct a soil test: Conduct soil tests annually to assess your lawn’s nutrient needs accurately. Amend your soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve soil health and grass resilience.
- Aerate and overseed: Regular aeration and overseeding help improve soil structure, reduce compaction, and promote thick grass growth, making it harder for weeds to establish.
FAQ about weed and feed
Can I mix weed and feed with other lawn products?
No. Experts do not recommend mixing weed and feed with other lawn care products. Mixing products can affect their effectiveness and safety. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and avoid mixing unless specified.
How often should I apply weed and feed?
The frequency of application depends on your specific lawn needs. Typically, one to two applications per year are sufficient for most lawns. Overuse can lead to potential issues, like chemical buildup.
Can weed and feed burn my lawn?
Yes, weed and feed products have the potential to burn your lawn. Over-application, hot weather, stressed lawns, and misapplication are a few reasons weed and feed might cause yellowing or browning grass blades.
When to call a lawn care pro
If you’d rather not deal with weed and feed fertilizers or separate applications of herbicides and fertilizers, let Lawn Love connect you with a nearby pro who can handle keeping your green lawn healthy and weed-free.
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