Maintaining a healthy lawn throughout requires consistent effort. This entails the use of fertilizer and herbicides. The application of a herbicide and fertilizer combination commonly referred to as “weed and feed,” can be an efficient and easy technique to create and maintain robust turf. However, you may be wondering whether you should treat your grass before or after mowing your yard. After all, you don’t want to waste it.
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You should mow the lawn a few days before applying weed and feed and wait a few days after applying before cutting it again.
When used together, weed and feed can strengthen the turf and nourish a lawn. However, make sure to always verify the product’s label before using it to ensure that you apply the right product on your grass. Weed and feed products contain both fertilizers and herbicides, making them effective in maintaining the health of a lawn. For best results with weed and feed, mow your grass at the suggested height at regular intervals.
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Mowing the grass one to two days before applying any weed and feed product is generally okay, or waiting at least 24 hours after application. However, specific directions for specific weed and feed products should be followed strictly.
By doing so, the herbicide (the “weed” in “weed and feed”) will have adequate time to be taken up by the weeds’ leaves and begin its killing process in the soil.
I’ll discuss this issue in this article and explain the best lawn care routine.
Lawn Treatments
Let me first establish what I mean when I talk about the different types of lawn treatments before I go into the best sequence to tend to your lawn.
Lawn Fertilizer Spray
Extreme Grass Growth Lawn Booster- Liquid Spray Concentrated Starter Fertilizer
Liquid grass products are becoming an increasingly popular option for consumers to incorporate into their standard lawn care practices. These products can range from extra feedings to an “all-liquid diet.” These products are economical and give comprehensive long-term nutritional care for your lawn. Furthermore, most of them are simple to apply and contain iron as well as various other minerals that are beneficial for the grass.
For instance, spraying your lawn with a liquid nitrogen fertilizer can be done on a regular basis all through the year in order to achieve a lawn that is darker and greener.
Chelated Iron
Chelated iron is a dietary supplement that, when applied to lawns and other plants, encourages the growth of foliage that are the most vivid, greenest, and healthiest. Fertilizers containing chelated iron have been developed to maximize nutrient uptake by plants.
A supplement of this kind encourages increased iron absorption by plants from the surrounding soil. Iron deficiency can be identified early on by a number of symptoms, including abnormal leaf development and discoloration.
The veins and folds of the grass will take on a yellowish-off tint as the grass ages.
Chelated iron-on lawns can be applied any time during the growing season without any adverse effects to fix iron deficiency issues.
Lawn Fertilizer Granules
Scotts 30460 Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer with Weed Prevent – Weed Killer and Lawn Fertilizer
Granular fertilizers are often slow-release, meaning that for the grass to reap the benefits of fertilization, the granules must first dissolve in water in the soil. In addition, granular fertilizers are often found in the form of pellets and have a dry consistency.
When purchased in larger quantities, granular fertilizers typically cost far less. And, granules can be applied once or twice during the growing season.
These days, the granular fertilizer is coated with a layer of liquid fertilizer, and when it is applied to a plant, the liquid fertilizer is promptly absorbed by the plant.
Pre-Emergent Weed Killer
Bonide – Crabgrass and Weed Preventer, DuraTurf Crab-Grass Pre-Emergent Control
The term “pre-emergent herbicide” refers to any chemical or material that stops germination seeds from developing into new plants. For example, pre-emergents are spread on the turf before the growing season begins to prevent broadleaf weeds from sprouting in lawns.
Because of this, they are frequently referred to as barriers. Pre-emergence weed killers are employed on established lawns as part of a yearly attempt to manage plant pests such as dandelions and crabgrass. Each season, pre-emergents are used to prevent weeds from emerging after being dormant for the previous year.
Typically, pre-emergents persist for three to five months in the yard soil, and a post-emergent is required once weeds begin to emerge in the yard.
Herbicide Weed Spray
Ortho GroundClear Year-Long Vegetation Killer – With Continuous Spray Comfort Wand
In the field of horticulture, weedkillers are referred to by the name “herbicide.” Herbicides can either be selective or non-selective. Herbicides that are non-selective kill everything they are applied to, including grass, weeds, and brush.
However, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer to the problem of weeds in lawns. Because of this, it is crucial that you choose a “selective” herbicide appropriate to the type of grass you have and the sort of weeds you wish to get rid of.
In addition, focusing on good techniques for lawn care can help reduce the amount of herbicide that needs to be used. However, herbicides are not a suitable replacement for proper grass maintenance and should only be used as a last resort.
Weed And Feed
Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed
The term “weed and feed” refers to lawn care solutions that include both herbicides (sometimes known as “weed killers,” the “weed” part of the name) and fertilizer (the “feed” part of the name). Weed and feed products are designed to fertilize your lawn while also eliminating weeds like dandelions and clovers that may be present in your grass.
You need to perfect the timing to get the most out of your weed and feed product. In general, application of weed and feed applications should be during the growing season. Don’t start too soon; the goal is to eradicate any weeds that are just beginning to germinate.
Also, take into consideration the ‘feed’ component. Weed and feed products are popular because they only require one application in the spring and summer. Still, they aren’t as effective as applying a pre-emergent weed killer and fertilizer.
Weed & Feed: Before Or After Mowing Lawn
It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after applying a weed and feed treatment before mowing the lawn.
In most cases, mowing the lawn immediately before or shortly after applying weed killer or fertilizer is not beneficial. If you do this, weed and feed granules become unevenly distributed before they even have a chance to work. Instead, wait at least 24 hours after applying a Liquid Weed and Feed type product before cutting your grass.
However, if you are using granular products, it is best to wait 48 hours before mowing to ensure that all of the components have dispersed and will not be removed.
In addition, the instructions that come with various weed and feed products can vary, so you must always follow the instructions printed on the label.
Follow What’s On The Label! (Mowing Lawn)
Uses with no authorization by the manufacturer, such as increasing the concentration or application rate beyond what is specified in the directions, can cause significant damage to your grass.
As an addendum, you can mow the grass 24 to 48 hours before using any weed and feed product, or you can wait about 24 hours after using any weed and feed product, though the specific instructions for individual products will vary.
However, I think you should mow your lawn after using a product that kills weeds and feeds the grass. Most herbicides accomplish their task either by penetrating the soil and reaching the root system or by absorption of the weed’s foliage.
It Is Best To Mow Afterwards! (Mowing Lawn)
Weeds have a larger leaf surface area for the herbicide to cling to when they are actively growing and before mowing them. Nevertheless, there are two primary categories for the products: weed and feed. The first is for grasses that grow during the cool season, and the second is for grasses that grow during the warm season.
The latter kind is typically labeled as a “southern” weed and feed product. Therefore, carefully read the warnings on the product’s label before applying it to any particular type of grass.
Southern Formulations (Mowing Lawn)
The term “southern grasses” refers to grasses native to regions in the United States that experience year-round temperatures ranging from warm to hot.
Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, and Zoysia, require Southern weed and feed products to survive in their respective USDA zones.
Treatment with a weed and feed product is necessary for warm-season grasses in the early spring, and mowing can resume two days later. Therefore, use a spreader to apply the herbicide and fertilizer when there is no chance of precipitation for at least the next 24 hours and the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool-Season Formulations (Mowing Lawn)
GreenView 2129193 Fairway Formula Spring Fertilizer Weed & Feed with Crabgrass Preventer
The application of weed and feed products designed for bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses, which are all hardy in plant hardiness zones 2 through 7, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, should take place in the spring or fall when the weeds are actively growing.
The summers in climates like these are very hot, while the winters are freezing. Therefore, it is essential to apply weed and feed during the spring and fall and to adhere to the directions that state mowing should be two days following treatment.
So, mist the grass with water to moisten it slightly, and then make use of a spreader to apply the weed killer and fertilizer in a uniform layer across the lawn. Some products can also be in use on grasses that are in their warm-season growth phase.
Nevertheless, check that there is not going to be any chance of precipitation for at least twenty-four hours after the scheduled application and that the temperature will be between sixty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit at the intended time.
How To Mow The Grass After Weed & Feed Treatment? (Mowing Lawn)
In principle, you can mow the lawn 24 to 48 hours before applying any weed and feed product. Or else, you can delay the mowing and wait and mow the grass 24 hours after using the product. First, however, still, keep the product instructions in mind.
This enables the product to soak into the ground and start acting before any flora damage that could decrease the ability of the weed to take up the product.
Always mow the grass at the correct height for the type of grass you are cutting. When you mow, try not to remove more than one-third of the grass at a time.
Additionally, if you have seeded any spots in your lawn, avoid using weed and feed to those areas because the herbicide will prevent the grass seeds from germinating.
Herbicide: Before Or After Mowing (Mowing Lawn)
Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use – All-in-One Weed Killer for Lawns
There is a wide variety of weed killer available on the market today, and each kind of weed killer employs a unique strategy to eliminate specific types of weeds. Therefore, your choice of herbicide should be based on several considerations, including the type of weed, the time of year, the degree of weed infestation, and the type of grass you have.
However, for the sake of clarity in this part of the article, we shall divide herbicides into two distinct categories: pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides.
For Pre-Emergent Herbicides
The use of pre-emergent herbicides is an excellent strategy for combating weeds that have a history of re-emerging in subsequent growing seasons.
Having said that, the standard effectiveness period for pre-emergent herbicides is three months; therefore, you should strive to reapply the treatment every season.
You can mow the lawn before applying pre-emergent herbicide because it needs to be washed into the soil for it to be effective; however, you must wait a few days following treatment before you mow the lawn again.
For Post-Emergent Herbicides
On the other hand, when using a post-emergent herbicide, you must refrain from mowing the lawn in the days leading up to its application, and you must wait about two to three days after its treatment before you can mow it again. This is because herbicide needs some time to work after being applied. So, mowing the lawn should be held for an extra two days.
Fertilizer: Before Or After Mowing? (Mowing Lawn)
Pennington 100536600 UltraGreen Weed & Feed Lawn Fertilizer
It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out whether you should feed before or after you mow. I always recommend mowing the grass before fertilizing it. However, if you want to mow your lawn after feeding the grass, keep the following guidelines in mind.
If you use a liquid fertilizer, you must wait four hours or until the grass is dry before you begin mowing. However, if you use granular fertilizer, you must wait two to four days prior to cutting the grass. Our goal is to have all of the fertilizer penetrate the ground.
If you fertilize the lawn immediately after mowing it, then delaying the following mowing cycle by a whole week is a sensible choice. This is because when you fertilize your lawn and then mow it, the mulched grass blades block some of the nutrients.
Can I Fertilize And Mow The Lawn On The Same Day? (Mowing Lawn)
Mowing and fertilizing on the same day is not a problem at all. However, keep in mind that nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium all require some time to be absorbed into the soil in your garden. Even a seemingly innocuous action, like cutting the grass or watering the lawn with a hose, can throw off this process very easily.
Therefore, wait at least ten to twelve hours between applying fertilizer and cutting the grass. In addition, as was discussed before, the type of fertilizer plays a role in determining the duration of this waiting window. If you use a liquid fertilizer, you only need to wait a few hours. However, if you use granular fertilizer, you must wait at least one to two days, as it takes longer for the granules to reach the surface of the lawn.
In addition, when applying fertilizer to your lawn, it is essential to ensure that it is evenly covered and to avoid over-fertilizing your grass, which can lead to fertilizer burn.
To prevent this, I suggest using a technique of applying fertilizer that is more under control, such as a spreader. There are two distinct types of spreaders, which are as follows:
Drop Spreader
Scotts 76565 Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader, Single Pack
Drop spreaders are an excellent tool for putting down products in areas with many barriers. They are exceptional at evenly dispersing an application across a given area. The body of a drop spreader is typically designed to resemble a bucket, and it is in this bucket that lawn products such as seeds and fertilizer are stored.
When you move the spreader, slots located between the wheels release the lawn product directly onto the grass. Typically reserved for usage on more expansive lawns, the drop spreader is an indispensable piece of equipment. They ensure that lawn products are distributed equally to achieve consistent growth and dispersion.
It does not matter how swiftly or slowly you walk while using drop spreaders because they always deposit the same amount of the product. In addition, drop spreaders will prevent you from wasting any of the substance while you are distributing it.
Drop spreaders are especially helpful in situations in which it is necessary to control the amount of product that is distributed. Using a drop spreader along sidewalks and driveways is an excellent example of an appropriate application for the device.
However, one of the drawbacks of a drop spreader is that the distributed product does not leave any mark or line; thus, it might be challenging to ensure that no lawn areas are missed when applying the fertilizer or other product.
Broadcast Spreader
Scotts Elite Spreader with Dual rotor technology provides unbeatable accuracy and a 6ft spread.
Broadcast spreaders get their name from the way they scatter the product many feet in front of and to either side of the spreader’s trajectory. A broadcast spreader has a base plate that rotates and uses this to distribute grains or seeds that are gently poured from a hopper.
Most of these spreaders shoot the fertilizer out to a distance of between three and four feet. I would suggest these for large areas as their coverage is more practically applicable in those settings. However, broadcast spreaders are not as effective in smaller yards because of their greater range. Which increases the risk of throwing fertilizer away from the grass.
In addition, the rate at which you walk will determine how quick the distribution of fertilizer is. If you move more slowly, the fertilizer won’t disperse quite as quickly and won’t fly quite as far. On the other hand, if you walk fast, the output will be greater and stronger.
These machines remind me of the ones used to paint the bases and baselines on a baseball field. They are pushed along like a mower and come equipped with two wheels and a container for holding fertilizer. A short blade is within the container. The speed of the blade is proportional to the speed of the wheels.
Applying Lawn Fertilizer Sprays (Mowing Lawn)
PetraTools Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer, 28-0-0 High Liquid Nitrogen Spray For All Grass Types
This sort of fertilizer is straightforward to use and produces good results; as a result, it is ideal for inexperienced gardeners as well as those who wish to reduce the amount of time spent tending to their lawn.
For example, after you have finished mowing your lawn, you may immediately apply this fertilizer spray to it. Also, when you water in the fertilizer at the same time, there is very little chance that you will burn the grass.
In addition, they can be in a variety of configurations; however, the most frequent packaging for them is that of a self-contained “hose-end sprayer.” This enables you to attach a garden hose to the bottle of fertilizer easily. And when you water, there is a dilution of fertilizer will be dilution to correct application.
The frequency of fertilizing can range anywhere from two weeks to one month. Depending on the fertilizer brand and the manufacturer’s advice. The concentrated solution form of these spray fertilizers is also available for purchase.
One can achieve the same results using liquid concentrate, which is typically an alternative that is easier to use. However, before application, they need to measure it out in advance and mixed with water.
Applying Chelated Iron
PetraTools Liquid Iron For Lawns – Chelated Iron, Liquid Lawn Fertilizer.
Iron, in its elemental state, is not very useful to plants. Because it rusts when exposed to air and water and loses much of its nutritional value. However, iron that has been ‘chelated’ by adding non-metallic ions is significantly more beneficial.
Chelated iron is particularly to facilitate the uptake of nutritional components in soil. In horticulture, it is familiar as “sequestered iron,”. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the most popular tonics for treating chlorosis in lawns.
An advise is that, apply chelated iron after mowing for maximum effectiveness. This will make it possible for the spray droplets to reach the soil and begin their work.
You can spread chelated iron on the grass at any time during the growing season without causing harm. Furthermore, since it is easily accessible in the form of a liquid concentrate. It is typically in use in a spray application.
Best Time To Apply Various Lawn Treatments (Mowing Lawn)
If you want to get the most out of any type of lawn treatment. You should apply it in a specific window of time. After all, that’s what they’re made for.
Best Time to Apply Lawn Fertilizer
In general, you should fertilize your lawn at least twice a year in order to maintain its best possible appearance and guarantee that it is in good overall health. However, if you fertilize your lawn at the wrong time of year or apply too much treatment. You run the risk of promoting the growth of weeds and possibly killing the grass.
The best time to fertilize your grass is when it is actively growing. However, you need to adjust the frequency according to your area’s weather and the grass you have. For instance, warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, Zoysia grass, and Buffalo grass ought to have their soil treated in the spring.
Whereas, it’s best to do fertilizing cool-season in late spring. Applying fertilizer to a lawn that has recently undergone reseeding is also acceptable. Still, you should be sure to do so with a product that has been developed with the reseeding process in mind.
Weed & Feed
The most successful times to use Weed & Feed products are in the spring and fall. When weeds are still young and actively growing. Take your cues on how to apply weed killer and fertilizer from the daily average temperature records.
Having more temperate weather is essential to the success of this application. Thus, it is important to use common sense every year while spreading fertilizer and weed killer. In most cases, the application of weed killer and fertilizer should take place in the early spring. Just as the grass is starting to emerge from its winter slumber.
So, weed and feed when the grass has begun to grow, and the weeds have sprung.
All in all, whether you go by a calendar-driven strategy or the visual indications that your lawn provides. Knowing the optimal time to apply weed and feed is all about knowing your local area. This holds true regardless of whatever method you choose to use.
Best Time To Apply Weed Killer
The spring and fall are the best times to use weed killer on lawns.
When applying weed killers, the best time to do it is in the middle of the day. Particularly when the weeds are dry and actively growing. The optimum times of the year to apply weed killers are in the spring and the fall. This will ensure that the weeds are constantly eliminated before their peak growing times throughout the year.
For cool or cold climates, the most effective time to apply systemic herbicides is in the late morning, through the middle of the day, and in the afternoon.
When applying it in the summer in warm regions, the optimal times to do it are early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Pre-emergent weed killer should be applied to grass when the temperature has stabilized. At around 55 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 48 hours. If weeds have ceased growing for the winter, systemic weed herbicides are less effective.
Post-emergent weed killer should also be administered first thing in the morning when weeds are at their most active and able to take in nutrients.
Final Thoughts
Before treating with weed and feed products, cut the lawns first. A thinner lawn will allow the fertilizer to penetrate the soil and grass roots easily.
In conclusion, it is essential to mow your lawn at the very least after applying and activating products that combine the control of weeds and the supply of food. This will give the active component in the herbicide time to reach the weed’s root system and start doing its job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you kill weeds in winter?
In rare cases, weeds will continue to flourish even after the grass has died and turned brown. Using a targeted treatment method are best for weeds like this. You can save time and money by only spraying the weeds on your lawn with weed killer. This reduces the amount of weed killer you need, protecting your dormant lawn from unnecessary stress.
When should I apply fertilizer in warm climates?
It is recommended to fertilize the grass three times a year, in the fall, in the middle of winter, and in the spring, in warmer locations where the grass is not subjected to temperatures below zero throughout the winter. The importance of fertilizing grass even during the winter months is underscored by the fact that it continues to exist even during this season.
Is the 10-10-10 fertilizer formula the best?
To put it simply, 10-10-10 fertilizer is the best all-around option. On occasion, though, it forms a crust on the soil’s surface rather than disintegrating. However, on rare occasions, the grass may receive an excess of nutrients from this fertilizer. And, grass that has been over-fertilized may be too weak to absorb iron.
What is the best fertilizer mixture for my lawn?
The recommended ratio of lawn fertilizer for most lawns is 3:1:3 or 4:1:2. Still, every lawn is different, and the most effective way to determine exactly what your lawn needs and unleash the maximum potential of your yard is to evaluate your soil using an accurate soil test kit.
How long after fertilizing can I mow?
If you use a liquid fertilizer, you can mow your lawn as soon as the grass has dried. Which is usually within four hours. However, granular fertilizer requires only a 24-hour wait before mowing the lawn after application. Lawn granules will scatter and lost if you do anything too vigorous to your yard, such as cutting the grass.
Sources for Further Reading
Lawn Management through the Seasons – College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from, https://extension.psu.edu/lawn-management-through-the-seasons
Yard and Garden: Timing and Applying Broadleaf Lawn Herbicides – Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Retrieved from, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-timing-and-applying-broadleaf-lawn-herbicides
Thank you for reading this article, we hope yo learned a thing or two, here are other articles that you could learn about weds:
How To Use a 2,4-D Lawn Weed Killer To Control Weeds? (And Is It Safe?)
How To Identify and Control Black Medic Weed In A Lawn | A Comprehensive Guide
Common Types of Sticker Weeds (and How To Get Rid Of The Sticker Weeds)
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