The Truth About Weed and Feeds

We are Americans; we like quick, easy, and simple. Weed and feeds are certainly that. They apply quickly, are easy to use, and have a simple concept. The question is, do they work?

Weed and feeds work. To understand weed and feeds, let’s dissect what is in most weed and feeds and their purpose. Weed and feeds are a post-emergent weed killer designed to kill existing weeds while fertilizing your lawn (mainly with nitrogen). The herbicide that targets the weeds typically consists of Dicamba, 2, 4-D, or MCPP. They target certain weeds like plantains, chickweed, knotweed, henbit, dollar weeds, dandelions, and other leafy weeds but do not work well on crabgrass, especially In Texas.

Most are disappointed in weed and feeds because weeds continue to grow throughout the year. These are expected results, but weed and feeds are designed to target existing weeds and not prevent the emergence of new weeds, so they may have worked when applied, but the new weeds grew from germination.

Here is where you can fault your neighbors or your yard guy. If you or your neighbors mow your lawn without a bag, you are causing germination. Your lawn guy can do the same by bringing weeds from a previous yard.

• How to Apply Weed and Feeds: You should wet the weeds so the herbicides can stick to the leaves and wait 24 hours to water the lawn.
• Will it kill my grass?: It can. If applied too heavily, the herbicides can damage grass roots.
• Is it safe to apply when seeding?: No. It would be best if you did not use any herbicide when seeding. The roots of the new grass have not developed, and an herbicide will harm them.
• When should I apply it?: In late March or early April. This is when grass has entirely come out of dormancy, and along with grass, so do the weeds. You can apply again in the fall if weeds remain a problem.
• Are they pet and kid safe?: No. You should keep kids and pets off the lawn for three days following application. Herbicides and fertilizers are harmful if ingested or inhaled.