- What Is Weed and Feed?<\/a><\/li>
- How Does Weed and Feed Work?<\/a><\/li>
- 7 Reasons to Avoid Weed and Feed<\/a><\/li>
- What Are the Benefits of Weed and Feed?<\/a><\/li>
- How to Apply Weed and Feed?<\/a><\/li>
- When to Apply Weed and Feed?<\/a><\/li>
- Weed and Feed Alternatives<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Weed and Feed<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What Is Weed and Feed?<\/h2>
Taking care of your lawn can feel like a full-time job. To maintain a work-life balance, some homeowners resort to weed and feed products, which help them fertilize the grass and control weeds at the same time. <\/p>
Weed and feed is basically a combination of lawn fertilizer<\/a> and herbicide that will kill certain weeds but not your grass. Some examples include Scotts Turf Builder and GreenView weed and feed.<\/p>
How Does Weed and Feed Work?<\/h2>
The fertilizer and herbicide complement each other well because while the first helps promote healthy grass growth, the latter prevents unwanted growth from occurring on your lawn. The fertilizer usually contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and the herbicide contains:<\/p>
- Post-emergent herbicides<\/a> to target weeds already growing (i.e., 2,4-D, MCPP, or dicamba) or<\/li>
- Pre-emergent herbicides<\/a> to prevent weed seed from germinating (i.e., dithiopyr)<\/li> <\/ul>
7 Reasons to Avoid Weed and Feed<\/h2>
Weed and feed is a controversial product. It can be effective if used correctly, so it may seem like a more straightforward solution \u2014 until you consider its long-term consequences. Here are seven reasons you may want to avoid using weed and feed for lawns:<\/p>
1. Excessive Use Of Herbicides<\/h3>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/AdobeStock_253235454.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: goodluz<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Weed and feed might seem practical, but it results in the overuse of harmful chemicals. Why? <\/strong>Because traditional herbicides are typically applied as spot treatments in small areas with weeds. On the other hand, weed and feed is applied all over the lawn, even in healthy areas where no weeds exist. <\/p>
You can prevent weeds from appearing on your lawn by applying traditional pre-emergent herbicides in select areas, which would be more effective and less harmful to the ecosystem. <\/p>
2. Ineffective Use of Fertilizers<\/h3>
![\"gloved](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Fertilizing-Lawn-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: ronstik<\/a> \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Weed and feed can present challenges to your fertilizer schedule. For example, if you want to get rid of summer weeds on your cool-season lawn, the fertilizer in your weed and feed may burn your turf. Fertilizer applications for cool-season grass should stop between March and September, so if you have a weed problem during that time, weed and feed might not be fitting.<\/p>
Similarly, if you\u2019re trying to manage fall weeds, applying feed to your warm-season grass at that time of the year isn\u2019t ideal. These grasses need to slow down in growth before they enter their dormant period, so the fertilizer in weed and feed products could lead to winterkill.<\/p>
3. Hinders Seed Germination<\/h3>
While it is true that weed and feed can stop weed seeds from growing, it can also prevent grass seeds from germinating and your grass shoots from developing, so it is a double-edged sword. <\/p>
The bottom line:<\/strong> Don\u2019t apply weed and feed after overseeding your lawn. <\/p>
For more information, see our article: “How Long After Weed and Feed Can You Plant Seed?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>
4. Threatens Your Lawn\u2019s Long-Term Health<\/h3>
![\"patchy](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AdobeStock_259493325.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: singjai<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Most weed killers are systemic (meaning they travel through the plant) so they can cause long-term damage to your lawn. However, weed and feed is applied all over the lawn, which means your lawn is more at risk of damage than if you were to spot-treat sparingly with traditional herbicides.<\/p>
The herbicides that weed and feed contains are meant to kill the seeds of the weeds before they can sprout, but if you use them too often or in high doses, they can destroy your healthy lawn\u2019s roots instead. That will eventually lead to browning out your grass blades and even death of parts of the yard over time.<\/p>
5. Harms Trees and Shrubs <\/h3>
![\"plant](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/tree-book-plant-flower-bush-green-1099479-pxhere.com-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Weed and feed\u2019s chemicals may harm trees and shrubs if you apply it too close to them or during their growth periods (usually spring or fall). That happens because trees\u2019 roots expand beyond the planted area. So remember to be extremely careful if you are growing other plants nearby.<\/p>
6. Health Risks For You, Your Family, And Your Pets<\/h3>
As with any synthetic chemical treatment, the chemicals from weed and feed can be absorbed through the skin or ingested by pets if they lick their paws after walking through a treated area. Since weed and feed is applied all over the lawn, you might be increasing your risk of health problems.<\/p>
Weed and feed contains 2,4-D, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer<\/a>, decreased fertility, and congenital disabilities among families that use it. So if you have children or pets running around outside in your yard, you should limit their exposure to weed killers and fertilizers.<\/p>
7. Harms the Environment<\/h3>
![\"Storm](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Stormwater-runoff-into-drain.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Christian Schwier<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock Free \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The chemicals contained in weed and feed can easily pollute stormwater runoff, especially since these chemicals are applied in high doses. Weed and feed\u2019s chemicals may travel through storm drains to streams or lakes and seep into groundwater sources, potentially contaminating fish and other aquatic life forms. <\/p>
In addition, some birds mistake weed and feed granules for grit, which can lead to their deaths and unbalance the environment. (Warning:<\/strong> This same problem happens with any chemical granule, not just weed and feed).<\/p>
What Are the Benefits of Weed and Feed?<\/h2>
The main reason some people use weed and feed is that it makes their lives easier. However, if you are aware of all the risks and still wish to proceed, here are some benefits of weed and feed: <\/p>
- Weed and feed<\/strong> is easy to use.<\/strong> You sprinkle the granules over the top of your existing grass and let them do their job. You don\u2019t have to dig or pull weeds out of the ground. (A weed and feed spray is also available for easy use.)<\/li>
- It\u2019s convenient.<\/strong> You don\u2019t have to worry about applying more than one kind of product. Weed and feed is all-in-one; it will save you time by not having to remember what goes where and when. You might also save money on multiple lawn care products.<\/li>
- Weed and feed<\/strong> is not difficult to find.<\/strong> It is available at most hardware stores and garden centers.<\/li>
- It will kill most <\/strong>types of weeds<\/strong>.<\/strong> Weed and feed is a broadleaf weed killer that will eliminate several weeds, such as dandelions<\/a> and chickweed, while promoting healthy grass growth. <\/li>
- It will give you a green lawn. <\/strong>The \u201cfeed\u201d in weed and feed will provide the necessary nutrients to make your lawn a lush, healthy green color. What homeowner doesn\u2019t want that?<\/li> <\/ul>
To sum everything up:<\/p>
- It\u2019s convenient.<\/strong> You don\u2019t have to worry about applying more than one kind of product. Weed and feed is all-in-one; it will save you time by not having to remember what goes where and when. You might also save money on multiple lawn care products.<\/li>
- Pre-emergent herbicides<\/a> to prevent weed seed from germinating (i.e., dithiopyr)<\/li> <\/ul>
- How Does Weed and Feed Work?<\/a><\/li>