“Weed ‘n feed” is a two-in-one weed killing and fertilizer
product which claims to kill weeds and fertilize the grass in a single
application. It’s often used purely out
of habit, and is marketed under varying
brand names, none of which work.
The idea of accomplishing two tasks in one action have made
weed ‘n feed among the most frequently used lawn care products. But Weed 'n feed actually weakens your lawn—causing
the kind of fast, weak, unnatural growth that makes your yard susceptible to pests and
disease.
1.
It doesn’t work as
advertised
The two
ingredients in weed ‘n feed products simply aren’t meant to be applied at the
same time. The pre-emergent part of it should be applied about 2 months
earlier than the soluble fertilizer part of “weed n feed”. Putting them both in the same bag doesn't change this.
2. Excessive application
of weed killers is wasteful and dangerous.
Granular “weed and feed” products are applied to the entire
lawn, not merely to areas of weeds, which results in chemicals being applied
where they are not needed. One
ingredient should be applied to the entire lawn, and one is intended for
problem spots. In most lawns, broadleaf weeds like dandelions usually occupy
less than five or 10 per cent of the area.
Most contain 20 to 30 percent more weed killer than is really
needed – too much fertilizer too. When we give lawns more food than they need,
the excess fertilizer ends up polluting groundwater because plants simply can’t
absorb it all.
3. They can kill your
trees.
Quick-release fertilizers, commonly used in most weed ‘n feed
products, apply a quick and heavy dose of nutrients to the lawn, and are likely
to wash off. Another main ingredient in “weed and feed” – atrazine, should
never be used on 99.9% of residential sites, and many commercial sites.
Simply said, atyrtazine kills trees in addition to broad-leasf weeds. And tree
roots cover the entirety of many residential lots.
For this reason alone I do not recommend Scotts Bonus S, Vigero,
Sam’s Club weed n feed and a few others. Studies have also linked weed-and-feed pesticides
to massive bird deaths.
4. Long-term lawn health
is compromised.
Once you begin a program of using synthetic fertilizers, your
lawn becomes dependent on these chemicals for every following year. However, over-fertilizing with synthetic chemicals disinfects
or kills most of the beneficial fungi and organisms in soil. This makes it more
difficult to build naturally healthy turf which contains beneficial organisms. Result; you need to buy more of their products every year.
5. There are safer, more
effective alternatives.
Inundating your lawn with synthetic chemicals may do harm to
other living things that frequent your yard. Pets, wildlife, even small
children may be harmed. The good news is that you can have a beautiful, healthy
lawn without using blanket applications of synthetic chemicals.
Consumers should also realize that weed ‘n feed products do not
prevent new weeds from growing. You can prevent new weeds from germinating by
applying a pre-emergent herbicide during that first warm spell in spring and in
the early fall. One of the best pre-emergents is corn gluten meal, a completely
natural substance that also provides the benefits of fertilizing. Corn gluten
meal is an organic alternative to weed ‘n feed.
In short, if you bought weed n feed, and haven’t put it on you
lawn yet, take it back.
Where is the “east-west” division? In the north Texas area we see the Eastern Bluebird, the
Eastern Phoebe and the Western Kingbird. Not to mention the Northern
Mockingbird. Huh??
The
clarity of the east-west line has gotten a little fuzzy. According to Roger
Tory Peterson, “the logical division is a belt between the hundredth meridian
and the foothills of the Rockies”. In other words, the east-west divider is not
so much a “line” as a “region”. Informally it’s the Rocky Mountains.
However,
since birds can fly, they can be found almost anywhere. Members of several bird species have flown over the Rockies. A few species are actually IN the Rockies. In
north Texas, the bird species are more “east” than “west”.
OWEN YOST, in addition
to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived
and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime
Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape
Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is
at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.
