Granular weed and feed products offer a convenient way to manage broadleaf weeds while simultaneously supplying your lawn with fertilizer nutrients. This product combines dry pellets containing a selective post-emergent herbicide (to kill common weeds like dandelions and clover) with a blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to encourage grass growth. Effective use depends entirely on accurate application timing and technique, ensuring the herbicide works properly and the fertilizer is delivered uniformly.
Crucial Timing for Application
Granular weed and feed functions as a post-emergent herbicide, relying on contact with weed foliage to be effective. The most successful application occurs when broadleaf weeds are actively growing and clearly visible. This typically falls within the spring, after the second mowing, or in the early fall when temperatures are moderate.
The ideal temperature range is when daytime highs are consistently between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Applying the product when it is too cold limits the weed’s ability to absorb the herbicide. Applying it during a heatwave above 90 degrees can stress the lawn and increase the risk of fertilizer burn. Since the weed control component must adhere to the leaves, avoid application if heavy rainfall is predicted within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Essential Preparation Before Spreading
Proper preparation immediately before application is necessary for the herbicide granules to stick to the weeds. Mow the lawn one to two days before spreading the product. This ensures weeds have enough leaf surface area to catch the granules and helps the product distribute more evenly. Cutting the grass also prevents tall blades from shielding smaller weeds.
A slightly damp or dewy lawn is necessary for the granular product to adhere effectively to the broadleaf weed leaves. Achieve this by applying the product early in the morning when dew is present, or by lightly watering the lawn just before application. Check the weather forecast to ensure a calm day, as high winds can scatter the lightweight granules, leading to uneven coverage and potential drift onto ornamental plants.
Step-by-Step Application Technique
Accurate application begins with setting your spreader to the correct rate, which is the most common reason for uneven coverage or product failure. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions on the product bag for the recommended setting specific to your fertilizer and spreader type (rotary or drop model). The recommended setting is a starting point; for maximum accuracy, you can calibrate your spreader by weighing the amount of product dispensed over a known area.
When filling the spreader, do so over a hard surface like a driveway or sidewalk, not over the lawn. This prevents accidental spills that would over-apply fertilizer and potentially burn the grass. To ensure even coverage, first apply a perimeter strip around the edges of the lawn to create a clear turning path. This border strip helps prevent the spreader from throwing product onto non-lawn areas, such as sidewalks or garden beds, where the selective herbicide could cause damage.
Apply the granules by walking at a steady, consistent pace, which is essential for uniform distribution. If using a rotary spreader (which throws material in a fan pattern), overlap each pass by half the spreader’s effective width to eliminate gaps and ensure full coverage. For the best uniformity, consider applying half the total recommended amount in one direction and the remaining half in a perpendicular direction, creating a crosshatch pattern.
Post-Application Care and Safety
After spreading the granular product, allow time for the weed-killing chemicals to be absorbed by the weeds before watering. This contact time is crucial, so wait a minimum of 24 to 48 hours before watering the lawn or allowing any significant rainfall. Waiting for this period ensures the herbicide effectively penetrates the weed’s foliage.
Once the waiting period is over, a light watering is necessary to wash the remaining fertilizer component off the grass blades and into the soil. Delay mowing the lawn for at least three to five days after application. Mowing too soon can remove the granules from the weed leaves before the herbicide has been fully absorbed, reducing the treatment’s effectiveness.
Safety precautions are necessary immediately following application. Keep children and pets off the treated area for the duration specified on the product label (typically 24 to 72 hours), until the product has been watered into the soil and the grass has dried. Always wear protective gear, such as gloves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes, while handling and applying the granular product.