The ideal time to apply weed and feed to your Minnesota lawn is between mid-March and mid-May, when the weeds start to show up. If weeds reappear, apply a second dose in mid-to-late September.
Applying weed and feed too early risks not eliminating all the weeds. Apply it too late and your grass won’t get all the nutrients it needs to look its best.
Spring application
Weed and feed is a dual-purpose product that combines herbicide and fertilizer to zap away weeds and nourish the grass simultaneously. You should apply it at the right time so it’s effective.
The ideal time to apply weed and feed is from mid-March to May when the soil temperature ranges from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It prevents weeds and provides the necessary nutrients for cool-season grasses to grow. Check out our guide on the best grasses for Minnesota.
Applying weed and feed in spring helps prevent these weeds:
- Ground ivy
- Henbit
- Heal-all
- Creeping yellowcress
- Hemp
- Wild parsnip
- Dandelion
- Broadleaf plantain
Cool-season grasses continue growing until the soil temperature reaches about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is often around mid-May. However, don’t wait until the end of the season to fertilize, as this will force your grass to grow past its natural growth period and stress it.
Early fall application
If weeds reappear, you can apply weed and feed again from mid-to-late September when the soil temperature drops below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It stunts weed growth and provides nutrients to cool-season grasses to start growing again after dormancy.
Applying weed and feed in early fall also helps your grass store the nutrients necessary to keep it green throughout the fall and winter.
You can apply weed and feed in late fall, but by then, weeds would have already been established, and grasses would have grown without receiving the necessary nutrients.
Applying weed and feed in early fall helps prevent these weeds:
- Henbit
- Broadleaf plantain
- Dandelion
- Common blue violet
- Leafy spurge
- Perennial sowthistle
- Bull thistle
- Canada thistle
For more information, check out our guide on applying weed and feed.
And for additional help with your Minnesota lawn, you might find these articles helpful:
The Best Fertilizers for Minnesota
When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Minnesota
The Best Time to Aerate Your Lawn in Minnesota
FAQs
Are there drawbacks to using weed and feed?
Weed and feed is convenient because it eliminates weeds and nourishes grass simultaneously. However, it contains chemicals that can wash into water bodies and affect aquatic life. Also, the herbicides are non-selective, which means they can harm non-target plants in your yard.
What’s the best weed and feed fertilizer for Minnesota?
Pennington UltraGreen Weed and Feed and Preen One LawnCare are the best weed and feed fertilizers for Minnesota. They contain no phosphorus to comply with the state’s lawn phosphorus law and work exceptionally well on cool-season grasses.
Check out our guide on the best fertilizers for Minnesota to purchase the right fertilizer for your lawn.
Can weed and feed fertilizer burn my lawn?
Yes. Weed and feed can burn your lawn if you apply it too much or when your grass is stressed.
When to hire a professional
Lawn fertilization can be a tiring and time-consuming job. If you need help with it or anything related to landscaping, get in touch with Lawn Love. Our seasoned pros can transform your yard from boring to beautiful.
Main Image Credit: JJ Gouin | Adobe Stock | License
