Scotts Weed and Feed Instructions: A Comprehensive Guide
This guide provides comprehensive instructions for using Scotts Weed and Feed products. It covers proper application timing, spreader settings, and post-application care for effective weed control and lawn fertilization. Following these instructions ensures optimal results.
Understanding Scotts Weed and Feed
Scotts Weed and Feed combines weed control and lawn fertilization. It utilizes WeedGrip Technology to target and eliminate listed weeds, while simultaneously nourishing your lawn. Apply when weeds are actively growing, typically when daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F. Ensure your grass is wet, either from dew or watering, to help the particles adhere effectively to weed leaves. This dual-action approach helps to create a healthier, weed-free lawn by both killing existing weeds and promoting grass growth to crowd out future weed infestations. Always follow label instructions for best results.
What is Scotts Weed and Feed?
Scotts Weed and Feed is a dual-action lawn care product. It combines a weed killer with a fertilizer. This helps to both eliminate existing weeds and nourish the grass.
Purpose: Weed Control and Lawn Fertilization
Scotts Weed and Feed serves a dual purpose. It aims to control and eliminate various common lawn weeds. These include dandelion, clover, and plantain. Simultaneously, it fertilizes the grass. This promotes thicker, greener growth that can naturally crowd out future weed growth. The fertilizer component provides essential nutrients to strengthen the grass. This helps it develop deep roots and withstand stressors. Consistent use, according to the instructions, results in a healthier, weed-free lawn. It ensures the grass thrives; This creates a visually appealing and robust outdoor space for your enjoyment.
Application Timing and Conditions
Optimal results require careful attention to timing and environmental conditions. Apply when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are between 60°F and 90°F. Ensure the lawn is wet before application.
Ideal Temperature Range: 60F to 90F
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed products perform best when applied within a specific temperature range. Daytime temperatures should consistently be between 60°F and 90°F. This temperature range ensures that weeds are actively growing, allowing the herbicide to be absorbed effectively. Applying outside this range may reduce the product’s efficacy. Ensure accurate weed control and optimal fertilization by monitoring weather conditions before application. Consistent temperatures within this range facilitate effective weed gripping technology and nutrient absorption for a healthier lawn.
Moisture Requirements: Wet Lawn Application
For Scotts Weed and Feed to work effectively, the lawn should be wet during application. This moisture helps the weed and feed particles adhere to weed leaves, enhancing herbicide absorption. You can achieve this by applying the product in the morning when dew is present or by lightly watering the lawn before application. Avoid heavy watering, as this can wash away the product. A damp lawn ensures the particles stick to the weeds, maximizing contact and improving weed control while providing essential nutrients to the grass.
Application Instructions
Follow these application instructions for Scotts Weed and Feed to achieve the best results. Proper application ensures even distribution and effective weed control while promoting a healthy, green lawn.
Mowing Before Application: Recommended Practices
Mowing before applying Scotts Weed and Feed is a recommended practice to ensure optimal product distribution and effectiveness. It is advised to mow one to two days before application, maintaining a grass height of 3 to 5 inches. This allows the weed and feed granules to reach the soil and target weeds effectively. Avoid mowing immediately before application. Taller grass can help the product adhere better, enhancing weed control. Ensure the grass is dry before mowing to prevent clumping and uneven cutting, leading to a healthier lawn after treatment.
Spreader Settings: Scotts Spreaders
Achieving even distribution of Scotts Weed and Feed requires using the correct spreader settings. Scotts spreaders are recommended for accurate application. Refer to the product label for specific settings based on your spreader model. Calibrating your spreader is crucial to avoid over or under-application. For Scotts drop spreaders, a setting of 7 might be suitable, but always verify. Uneven application can lead to patchy results and potential lawn damage. Properly set spreaders ensure consistent coverage, maximizing weed control and fertilization benefits. Adjust settings according to walking speed and desired application rate for best results.
Application Method: Even Distribution
To ensure effective weed control and fertilization, even distribution of Scotts Weed and Feed is essential. Overlap each pass slightly to prevent gaps in coverage. Walk at a consistent pace while applying the product to maintain a uniform application rate. Avoid stopping or starting the spreader while in motion to prevent concentrated areas. Apply the product evenly over the area to be treated, using a consistent pattern. This method maximizes the product’s effectiveness, promoting healthy grass growth and controlling weeds uniformly. Proper application prevents patchy results and ensures a consistent, healthy lawn.
Post-Application Care
Proper post-application care is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of Scotts Weed and Feed. This includes appropriate watering and waiting periods before mowing to allow the product to properly work.
Watering After Application: When and How Much
After applying Scotts Weed and Feed, proper watering is essential. Some sources recommend lightly watering it in, while others advise against watering for 24 hours after application, especially if rain is expected. The goal is to allow the particles to adhere to weed leaves. If sprinkling or dew is used before application, hold off on watering for a day. Follow the specific instructions on your product label for the best results. This ensures the product is absorbed effectively without being washed away prematurely.
Waiting Period Before Mowing
After applying Scotts Weed and Feed, it’s important to observe a waiting period before mowing. Mowing too soon can disrupt the product’s effectiveness. Generally, it’s recommended to wait at least two days before mowing after application. Some sources suggest mowing one or two days before application to a height of 3-5 inches. Allowing this waiting period ensures the weed killer has sufficient time to be absorbed by the weeds. Check the specific instructions on your Scotts Weed and Feed product label for the precise recommended waiting period for mowing.
Safety Precautions
When using Scotts Weed and Feed, safety is paramount. Keep children and pets away during application and until the product dries. Always follow label instructions for safe usage and storage practices.
Pet and Child Safety: Keeping Away During Application
Protecting pets and children from exposure to Scotts Weed and Feed during application is crucial. These products, while effective, contain chemicals that can be harmful if ingested or come into contact with skin. Keep children and pets indoors or away from the treated area while applying Scotts Weed and Feed. Ensure the product is completely dry or settled before allowing them to return to the lawn. Following this precaution minimizes the risk of accidental exposure and ensures their safety. Always prioritize their well-being when using lawn care products.
Drying Time: Ensuring Safety After Treatment
Allowing sufficient drying time after applying Scotts Weed and Feed is essential for safety. Once applied, the product needs time to properly adhere to the lawn and for the active ingredients to settle. Keep pets and children away from the treated area until it is completely dry. The drying time can vary depending on weather conditions, such as humidity and temperature. Typically, waiting at least 24 hours is recommended to ensure the lawn is safe for regular activity. This precaution minimizes the risk of exposure to chemicals.
Effectiveness and Results
Scotts Weed and Feed demonstrates its effectiveness by controlling various weed types and fertilizing lawns. Visible results, such as weed curling, can appear within days, improving lawn health over time with proper application.
Weed Control: Types of Weeds Controlled
Scotts Weed and Feed products are formulated to control a broad spectrum of common lawn weeds. These include, but are not limited to, dandelion, clover, and plantain. Some formulations, like Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed, target weeds specific to Southern lawns, such as dollarweed, oxalis, chickweed, henbit, and purslane. The effectiveness against these weeds is enhanced when the product is applied during active growth. For hard-to-control weeds, a repeat application might be necessary after several weeks to ensure complete eradication.
Time to See Results: Expected Timeline
The timeline for seeing noticeable results from Scotts Weed and Feed can vary depending on several factors. Initially, treated weeds will begin to curl within a few days of application, indicating that the herbicide is taking effect. However, complete weed eradication may take up to three weeks. For more persistent or hard-to-control weeds, a second application might be necessary after three to four weeks. Consistent watering and favorable growing conditions can expedite the process. Remember that thickening of the grass to crowd out future weeds occurs gradually over time.
Specific Scotts Products
Scotts offers various Weed and Feed products tailored to specific needs. These include Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed for general use and Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed for southern grasses.
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed: General Use
Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed is designed for general lawn care, effectively controlling over 50 listed weeds while nourishing the grass. Apply when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F. Ensure the grass is wet before application, as this helps the particles adhere to weed leaves for optimal results. This product thickens grass, crowding out future weeds and promoting a healthy, green lawn. It’s a versatile solution for maintaining a weed-free and vibrant lawn throughout the growing season, providing essential nutrients while eliminating unwanted plants.
Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed: For Southern Grass Types
Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed is specifically formulated for Southern grass types like St. Augustinegrass, Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, and Carpetgrass. It effectively kills over 25 listed lawn weeds, including dollarweed, clover, and dandelion, while fertilizing the grass. Apply to a dry lawn when grass and weeds are actively growing to build strong, deep roots that withstand Southern stressors. This product helps crowd out future weeds and promotes a lush, healthy lawn; Always follow label instructions, and use a Scotts spreader for even distribution.
Troubleshooting
This section addresses common issues encountered when using Scotts Weed and Feed. It provides solutions for uneven application and lack of expected results, helping ensure effective weed control and lawn fertilization.
Uneven Application: Causes and Solutions
Uneven application of Scotts Weed and Feed can lead to patchy results, with some areas overdosed and others under-treated. Common causes include improper spreader calibration, inconsistent walking speed during application, and overlapping passes. To avoid this, calibrate your spreader using Scotts’ recommended settings for your specific model and product. Maintain a steady walking speed and ensure each pass slightly overlaps the previous one. Avoid applying in windy conditions, which can disrupt the distribution pattern. If uneven application occurs, consider a light, corrective application to the under-treated areas, ensuring not to exceed the recommended application rate.
Lack of Results: Possible Reasons
If you’re not seeing the desired weed control or lawn fertilization after applying Scotts Weed and Feed, several factors could be at play. Incorrect application timing, such as applying outside the recommended 60-90°F temperature range, can reduce effectiveness. Insufficient moisture on weed leaves at the time of application may also hinder herbicide absorption. Additionally, some weed species are resistant to the herbicides in Scotts Weed and Feed. Ensure you’re using the correct product for your grass type and weed types. Consider a repeat application after 3-4 weeks for persistent weeds. Soil conditions and watering practices also impact results.
