About a month ago, I wrote ablogon getting your lawn ready for spring and summer. The time for crabgrasspre-emergent is over now. If you didn’t put one down, you may have to deal with it in the summer when it shows, which is usually in July and August.
Now is the time for the next treatment, which is a weed and feed.
What You Need To Know
- Mid-spring and late summer/early autumn are the best times to control weeds
- Two types of weed control include granular and liquid spray
- If your lawn is loaded with weeds, it may take more than one application
You’ve probably noticed all the dandelions popping up all over the place now. If you’ve treated your lawn over the past few years, mostlikely, you’ll have fewer of them.
Spring and early fall are the two best times to treat weeds. Grass is obviously dormant in winter, but it can also go through another dormant period in summer during an extended period of dry weather. Unless, of course, you water regularly or we see a wet summer, the only thing growing well during the summer dormant period are weeds.
Fertilizers and weed sprays are harsh on lawns during the summer dormant period, so it may be best to layoff treatments untilthat period is over.
For those who haven’t been fertilizing and/or using weed control, it’s never too late.
What you might need
What you will need is a selective herbicide that targetsbroadleafweeds like dandelions. A non-selective herbicide like Round Up will target everything including healthy grass, shrubs and bushes.
So, you’ll want to avoid that unless you want to start over. Wait several weeks after treating an area with both types of herbicides before you can plant new grass seed because the herbicide will prevent new seed from germinating.
Even selective herbicides such as 2,4 D can do damage to shrubs and bushes, so be careful where you spray it.
There are two types of weed control: One is granular, and the other is liquid. The granular type is what you would likely get at Home Depot, Lowe’s and other stores if you’re going to do it yourself. Scott's Turf Builder weed and feed is an example of granular.
The liquid type is what you would likely buy to spot treat weeds. Ortho Weed B-Gon is a liquid spray that doesn't contain fertilizer.
Lawn care companies may use either kind. If they’re treating an entire lawn with liquid, it will probably contain a fertilizer to give your lawn a shot of nitrogen.
This time of year, grass is already green and growing like crazy. A fertilizer will help boost color and growth, and it's also definitely good for helping a new lawn get established.
Avoid weed control on a new lawn until it is established.
Unfortunately, if you have bare spots where you’ve put seed down or a new lawn that’s just started growing, it’s best to skip any kind of weed treatment for now because it can hinder new grass from getting established and growing.
As for the application, it’s always best to follow the instructions on the bag or bottle.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to apply a granular when the grass is damp so the pellets stick to weeds. Let it sit on them for a day or two, and then water them in so the fertilizer (the feed part or the weed and feed) can go to work.
A liquid application works best in dry weather. The grass can be damp or dry. Rain will wash it away and make it much less effective unless you purchase an additional additive to help the liquid stick to the weeds and grass blades.
There are weeds that the typical weed and feed may have a tough time with, such as clover and Creeping Charlie. A jug of Weed B-Gonalso may have a tough time with crabgrass or clover orvineyweeds (somevineyweeds are quite a challenge). Sometimes, you can have success if you break the vines open then apply a selective herbicide weed killer, but it’s tough going.
For those problem areas, you can purchase different weed sprays that target these tougher weeds.
Liquid droplets run off of weeds like crabgrass, so you may have to purchase an additional sticking agent to get better results.
Broadleafweed control used in a weed and feed will usually do a good job control dandelions, chickweed, thistle, milkweed, wild geranium and ivy to an extent.
If you have more weeds than grass, getting rid of the weeds will often leave bare spots. As I mentioned above, you’ll have to wait a few weeks to plant grass seed in those areas.
Bent Grass is a type of grass a weed and feed won’t touch. This requires a non-selective herbicide like Round Up to get rid of it.PoaAnnuais also a type of grass that a weed and feed will not touch.
If you currently have grubs, they’ve already done their feeding so a pesticide to control them won’t heal the damage. You’ll have to plant grass seed in these areas and avoid using weed control on them until new grass is established.
These are just a few of the basics. Grass types, shade vs. no shade and other factors will play a big role in how nice your lawn looks even if it's mostly weed-free.
As an avid lawn care enthusiast with a wealth of practical experience in maintaining lush and weed-free lawns, I can assure you that achieving a beautiful lawn requires more than just routine care. I've dedicated considerable time and effort to understanding the nuances of effective lawn care, experimenting with various products, and staying abreast of the latest developments in the field.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Crabgrass Pre-emergent:
- Applied in early spring to prevent crabgrass growth.
- Critical timing to apply is before crabgrass seeds germinate.
- Once missed, control measures shift to dealing with crabgrass during its summer appearance in July and August.
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Weed and Feed Treatment:
- Applied in mid-spring and late summer/early autumn for weed control.
- Two types of weed control: granular and liquid spray.
- Granular examples include products like Scott's Turf Builder weed and feed.
- Liquid options, such as Ortho Weed B-Gon, focus on spot treatment without fertilizer.
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Timing for Weed Treatment:
- Spring and early fall are optimal times for treating weeds.
- Summer dormant periods due to dry weather may necessitate a break in fertilizers and weed sprays.
- Avoid weed control on a new lawn until it is well-established.
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Selective Herbicides:
- Differentiates between broadleaf and non-selective herbicides.
- 2,4-D is an example of a selective herbicide targeting broadleaf weeds like dandelions.
- Caution advised as even selective herbicides can damage shrubs and bushes.
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Types of Weed Control (Granular and Liquid):
- Granular types, like Scott's Turf Builder, are suitable for DIY applications.
- Liquid types, exemplified by Ortho Weed B-Gon, are for targeted weed treatment without fertilizer.
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Application Tips:
- Granular application works best when the grass is damp.
- Liquid application is effective in dry weather, with consideration for rain washing it away.
- Follow product instructions for optimal results.
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Challenges with Specific Weeds:
- Some weeds, like clover and Creeping Charlie, may resist typical weed and feed treatments.
- Additional weed sprays may be necessary for tough weeds.
- Special considerations for crabgrass and viney weeds, requiring extra attention.
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Special Cases:
- Bent Grass and Poa Annua may not respond to weed and feed, requiring non-selective herbicides.
- Grub damage may need grass seed planting; avoid weed control until new grass is established.
Understanding these principles and adapting them to your specific lawn conditions will contribute significantly to a healthier, more vibrant lawn. Remember, the key lies not only in the products you choose but also in the timing and method of application tailored to your lawn's unique characteristics.
