Lawn Step 2: Apply Weed and Feed to Control Lawn Weeds

It's been over a month since we applied the first step of the lawn program (Crabgrass Preventer) so it's time to get the second step applied: Weed and Feed. Problem is, the weather has not been cooperating. It's been such a rainy and wet spring and start to summer. And when the weather did cooperate, our schedules didn't. I just got my irrigation system turned on so we’ve been at the mercy of Mother Nature. Long story short: we’re behind and just now able to find a window where the lawn and weather conditions are right - because you don't want to screw up when you apply this stuff.

My blog post from last year at this time is pretty comprehensive about what Weed and Feed is, the benefits of Weed and Feed, and some of the warning about how to apply it, so click here to read that! Here are the application reminders for those of you ready to go.

How to Apply Weed and Feed Correctly

You will apply the Weed and Feed the same way you do the other steps with your spreader, BUT with this step you have to be very careful when to put it on. If you don't follow the directions and warnings, the fertilizer will not work the way it is designed to.

You should wait to put down Weed and Feed until about 30 days after you applied Crabgrass Preventer. You need to put it on when the grass is wet from dew or rain. You want the Weed and Feed to stick to the grass and especially the weeds. You could apply this in the early morning, after a rain, or you could water the lawn right before putting this down.

I often see people mistakenly put the Weed and Feed on and then water it in. Keep an eye on the weather -- you want to make sure it’s not going to rain in the next 24 hours. You want this to stick to your weeds! I’ve even seen professional companies put Weed and Feed down and later that day -- it rains. If you have a sprinkler system, do not forget to shut it off so that you don't accidentally water it the next morning. You will want to do this with other summer fertilizers, but not with Weed and Feed.

10 Tips for putting on Weed and Feed

1) Mow two days before putting down the Weed and Feed.

2) Make sure the grass is wet. To see if the grass is wet enough, walk in the grass a few steps. If you can see your shoe print after walking on the cement you’re good to go. I put the fertilizer on this week at about 630am when it was dewey.

3) Wear old shoes that can get wet and full of fertilizer. (And take them off before entering your house.)

4) Make sure it’s not going to rain in the next 24 hours and turn off any pre-set sprinklers. (Good luck with this one though this spring!)

5) Check the fertilizer bag to look at your spreader setting. I like to put it on a little less than recommended just to spread it equally. According to my bag and spreader the setting was to be set at 5 so I put it on 4 3/4. This just helps me make sure I spread it out equally. Remember I’m going to try and overlap the yard like a checkerboard. You never want to put too much on cause you could burn your grass.

6) Do the edges first and follow by making a checkerboard pattern on your yard.

7) Blow off any fertilizer on the cement with your leaf blower. It’s not just for weeds, but it has feed that will make your yard thick and green. It can stain your cement if you don’t get it off.

8) Keep children and pets off your grass for the next couple of days if you can.

9) If it doesn’t rain in the next four days you will want to water it in with a sprinkler around day 4.

10) I would wait about four weeks before you put down any grass seed.

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Need a Lawn Fix? Here’s what we used:

• Earl May Weed and Feed - First step in the Lawn Program (I buy the 6-step but pick the program that is right for you)

• Echo Gas Powered Leaf Blower (affiliate)

• Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Deluxe Spreader (affiliate)

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