When Can I Fertilize a New Lawn? OK to Use Weed and Feed?

QUESTION:

I have a new Jonathan Green tall fescue lawn (planted 9 weeks ago)and have a ton of weeds. Can I put their weed and feed fertilizer down? And also can I lime (my ph is low)?

ANSWER:

I have heard their Black Beauty fescue mix is really nice.

According the the label you can apply Jonathan Green weed and feed any time weeds are actively growing and after a newly seeded lawn has been mowed 3 times.

I would use this product with caution...

Granular weed and feed products need to be applied exactly as stated on the label. The lawn needs to be moist so that the herbicide sticks to the weed leaves. Then it must not be watered or rain 48 hours after the weed and feed has been applied or the herbicide will wash off and not work. The weeds will just be fertilized along with the grass.

A more effective means to control broadleaf weeds is through a liquid herbicide application.

Lots of nitrogen in the summer is not the best for fescue lawns. I recommend using an organic or a slow release fertilizer going into summer. The best time to fertilize cool-season grasses is in the fall.

You can apply lime any time during the year. However, the most effective way to incorporate lime into a lawn is right after core aeration in the fall.

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When Can I Apply Weed and Feed on Newly Laid Lawn?

by Jason
(Sheffield, UK)

QUESTION:

I've just laid a new lawn 4 weeks ago and I was wondering if it is OK to put a weed and feed fertilizer on it before winter?

ANSWER:

Fall is the best time to fertilize cool season grasses - especially a new lawn.

Did you sod or seed?

If you laid sod you can skip the herbicide (weed killer) because you shouldn't need it.

If you started your new lawn from seed there is a good chance you will have some weeds, it will then be OK to use a weed and feed.

Check the label of the product you plan to use - for new lawns, most recommend waiting 6 to 8 weeks or until it has been mowed at least 3 times before applying weed and feed.

Weed and Feed - Why Would I Apply Soapy Water First?

by Chrysta

YOUR QUESTION:

Why would I put a shower of soapy dish washing soap on my lawn and then follow that with an application of a weed killer? Would a dry weed and feed accomplish the same thing?

ANSWER:

Weed and feed products don't work very well unless the product can stick to the leaves. Soapy water is a creative attempt at making granular weed and feed work better...and it probably helps.

Dish soap is a surfactant - many liquid herbicides are more effective when a "sufactant" is added. Surfactants - also called spreader/stickers or wetting agents - help the chemical stick to and penetrate a weed's waxy leaf layer.

According to most weed and feed product labels, they need to be applied when the grass/weeds are wet...so that the granular herbicide sticks to the weed's leaves and is then absorbed into the plant. If you use a dry weed and feed, my best advice is to spread it early in the morning on a "dewy" lawn.

I'm not a fan of weed and feed products. They generally don't work very well and encourage over-application of herbicides. Why spread chemical weed killer over your entire lawn when you may only need it in a few spots?

You will get better results using a liquid herbicide to kill weeds and then fertilize with a straight fertilizer at the proper time. If you have a few patches of weeds just spot spray.

Got a lawn full of weeds? Consider hiring a lawn service to do a blanket application.

Clear Choice is my recommendation for do it yourself homeowners. It kills broadleaf weeds, but not the grass. This product uses the same active ingredients you will find in many granular weed and feed products - however Clear Choice lawn weed killer uses micro-technology which improves penetration into the weed for a higher rate of kill and uses less herbicide - 85% less active ingredient - to get the job done.

You can purchase Clear Choice through Amazon.com



Remember to always read and follow the product label before using or handling any of these products.