Nourishing your lawn is important. Most gardeners and homeowners use weed and feed. It comes in many varieties, and it can protect against weeds and give nutrients to the soil.
However, you have to know when to water the lawn after applying your weed and feed product. There are many methods out there, so you need to know what’s best.
We’re going to explain when to water your lawn after the application. Plus, you’re going to get advice on how rain affects the products.
Table of Contents
Read the Label Directions
Most weed and feed products are similar. However, you should always follow the directions on the package. Sometimes, they tell you to wet the area receiving the treatment first. Then, you don’t water it again for a few weeks.
On top of that, most of the lawn care applications are two-parted. Therefore, they have two different answers. Your lawn must be watered after an application of weed and feed. However, it’s got to be during a specific time frame since it contains weed control.
Granular Fertilizer Applications
A granular fertilizer might sometimes be called a pre-emergent. You apply it to the soil as directed on the label. Then, you must wait 10 to 14 days after you apply it to water it.
Sometimes, this can happen from the rain. However, if it rains too soon after the application, it can wash away the fertilizer. If no rain falls during the 10 to 14 day period, you should do it manually with a hose or sprinkler.
Granular fertilizer should be watered into the soil. That way, it activates it, breaks it down, and starts feeding the lawn.
If you don’t water it into the soil, it lays dormant. That means it’s ineffective at doing its job. Also, it could be dangerous to the soil and burn the lawn if it gets no water.
Here is where the trouble lies. Some fertilizers say that you should water it into the soil immediately after you apply it. Others want you to wait for that 10-day to two-week window.
A good rule of thumb is to start with moist soil to get it going. Then, wait up to two weeks before you water the lawn again. Still, you should always read the label carefully before using any product.
Weed Control Applications
You do not have to water in liquid weed control products. However, it’s safe to water your lawn after the application. Still, you must wait until the weed product dries.
Often, this takes about two hours to complete. However, we always recommend that you wait a full 24 hours before you water the lawn.
Make sure that you are cautious when watering. If you add too much, it breaks down the weed control liquid too fast. That means it might not last as long.
On top of that, it might dilute itself. Weeds can pop up even after you apply the weed control product.
Again, you should read the directions on the bottle or sprayer carefully. If it says to wait before watering, then you should do so. Once it is safe, water the lawn gently to continue protecting it from weeds.
What If It Rains After the Application?
Most gardeners worry about using weed and feed products. What happens if you apply it, and then it rains almost immediately afterward?
With granular fertilizer, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, weed control products can have issues. If heavy rain occurs within two hours or less of that application, it might not be effective.
The water can remove the product from the leaves and wash it away. Usually, that indicates that you must apply it again.
It’s a good idea to watch the weather forecast for the next 10 days. Many weather apps allow you to do that for free. Check to see if it is supposed to rain and what chance there is.
If it’s over a 40 percent chance for your area, consider spraying the weed and feed product another day. That way, you don’t risk wasting your time and money by having to do it again.
We understand that late summer or spring storms can pop up without warning. If you applied the product and it rains that first day, don’t panic. Monitor the lawn for 10 days.
There shouldn’t be any weed growth during that time. If there is, the rain likely washed away the application. You should pay close attention to the weather and reapply when there should be no rain for 10 to 14 days.
Why You Should “Water In” the Weed and Feed
Many products state clearly on the label to water in the product immediately afterward. It’s best to follow the directions.
Generally, this means that there is a special ingredient in the product. It requires water for it to go into the soil and get absorbed by the plant roots. Until it’s watered, it can’t work correctly.
There’s another reason to water in the product. The ingredients get washed down under the foliage of the grass. That means you don’t get it on your shoes when you walk on it.
How to Apply Weed and Feed Products
It’s important to apply the weed and feed correctly so that it’s effective. Generally, you should:
Make sure the lawn is at a normal height (3 to 5 inches).
Wait two to four days after mowing before you apply the product. That protects the grass. The weeds are active, so it’s going to kill them efficiently.
Use a spreader or a liquid sprayer. This depends on the product you choose.
Follow directions and only add as much as you should. Spread it uniformly across the lawn.
Conclusion
Weed and feed products are a great way to fertilize and kill weeds at the same time. Generally, they have specific instructions to follow.
However, some manufacturers don’t include watering information. Now, you know when to water your lawn after applying the weed and feed product. Follow the directions to use it so that it’s most effective and does its job well.
I used the same product on my front lawn but now sections, where the weeds were (bindis and burrs), are gone however the grass is very yellow. Is this what it should do? The bindis also went black and are now gone.
I used the same product on my front lawn but now sections, where the weeds were (bindis and burrs), are gone however the grass is very yellow. Is this what it should do? The bindis also went black and are now gone.