How Early Can You Start Spraying Spring Weed And Feed?

After your lawn has been dormant all winter long, you might be beyond ready for greener days. But don't get too ahead of yourself. By applying spring weed and feed too early in the spring, you can waste product, pollute waterways, and scorch your lawn — not to mention you might not kill many weeds. Don't apply before the grass is actively growing again.

Weed and feed is a two-in-one product that both kills weeds and feeds the lawn. There are two main types of weed and feed: pre-emergent, which kills weed seeds before they germinate, and post-emergent, which kills weeds that are already growing. Post-emergent weed and feed is usually applied in the spring; it not only helps control weed growth but also helps grass come back to life post-dormancy.

If you're only going to fertilize your lawn once a year, spring is a good time to do it. It's also best to fertilize warm-season grasses in the spring, such as Bermuda or St. Augustine. But spring is a pretty broad term. When exactly is the best time to apply weed and feed for best results, and how do you know it's time? You shouldn't weed and feed your lawn until it is actively growing again after dormancy since that's when the grass can use the nutrients in the fertilizer. This ranges from February to April, depending on where you live.

You'll know it's time to apply spring weed and feed when the grass is green and is growing tall enough to need mowing. It's best to wait until you've mowed the lawn a couple of times, but you can apply it as early as the first mow if necessary. Make sure the temperatures have reached the thresholds listed on your weed and feed label. The soil should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 65 degrees Fahrenheit for products containing nitrogen. Daytime temperatures should be between 60 and 90 degrees.

If you spray weed and feed too early in the spring, your lawn may receive more fertilizer than it can use and become scorched. Or, if the ground is still frozen, the lawn may not absorb any fertilizer at all; it will run down the drain instead, which is pollutive and wasteful. Also, many weeds may not have started growing yet early in the spring so that they won't be killed by the herbicides in the weed and feed.

Other factors also affect the success of your weed and feed. It's important to pick the right product for your grass and weed species and follow the directions on the label as far as recommended amounts. Mow and water your lawn before applying weed and feed, or apply it in the early morning when dew is still on the grass. To prevent the fertilizer and herbicide from washing away, wait to water again until 48 hours after use, and avoid applying weed and feed when a storm is on the way.