Fall Weed and Feed

[Bowfin]

Is it too late to apply a fall weed and fertilizer? I am thinking something like Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® With Plus 2® Weed Control. Does it matter that this fall is bone dry? Any input.

Thanks

[LwnmwnMan2]

Yes it matters, with the fact that if you use Scotts, the leave need to be wet for the particles to stick to the leaves.

Also, the fertilizer will need some water to become effective.

[Tom7227]

I don't understand why it makes sense to put down a weed killer at this time of the year. Can anyone explain?

Steve at the Hugo Feed Mill recommends putting down the winter fertilizer in late October.

[fishnowworknever]

I'll give it a whack -

Plants are storing nutrients for the winter right now...feed em with weed and feed so they absorb the weed killer. Next spring those weeds are gone and don't come back.

[Lund79]

jhall555 is correct. The plants are preparing for winter so they will suck up the weed killer like candy.

[LwnmwnMan2]

I'll give it a whack -

Plants are storing nutrients for the winter right now...feed em with weed and feed so they absorb the weed killer. Next spring those weeds are gone and don't come back.

+3

[RumRiverRat]

jhall555 is correct. The plants are preparing for winter so they will suck up the weed killer like candy.

Spot on!

[Tom7227]

Ok, that makes sense. But given the conditions a dry applied product seems like it has little chance of working. I'm also not in favor of the products that result in applying chemicals over the entire area as I think you end up putting down a lot of stuff that isn't needed and creates problems. Spot application works best IMO. Of course it works for me because I have been so incredibly diligent that there are no weeds in my yard.

[LwnmwnMan2]

Ok, that makes sense. But given the conditions a dry applied product seems like it has little chance of working. I'm also not in favor of the products that result in applying chemicals over the entire area as I think you end up putting down a lot of stuff that isn't needed and creates problems. Spot application works best IMO. Of course it works for me because I have been so incredibly diligent that there are no weeds in my yard.

Yes Tom, you are correct in that aspect. If a person doesn't have irrigation or other water source, there is no reason to use a granular weed n feed. The weed part needs a wet leaf for the particles to stick to the leaves.

For most people a blanket application over the entire lawn is needed, as most have weeds in the entire lawn

If a person has been diligent, or has a service maintain the turf, then yes, one should expect spot treatments for weeds.

[Tom7227]

I just bought some winter fertilizer and the guy at the feed mill in hugo suggested waiting until the weekend of the 20th to apply it. He said that we don't want to start greening up the grass now.

[reddog]

Hes righton the fertilizer.., but there is no better time to kill next years dandylions than right now.. If you do this, you will be amazed next year..

[Eric Wettschreck]

Because of work and other crazy commitments I missed my chance to spray my 4 acre lawn a few weeks ago when it was warmer. Things are actually starting to green up again here, weird.

Yesterday I got home early, it was nice out, no wind, so I hooked the sprayer and boom to my ATV and sprayed a 2-4-D/ Dicamba cocktail.

I realize I didn't hurt anything by spraying, but do you guys think I wasted my time or will it actually do some good?

[LwnmwnMan2]

Eric,

You just said yourself that everything is greening up again.

All of the companies I know of are still fertilizing and spraying.

Even the U's Extension Service a couple of weeks ago had a blurb that with how dry it was this year that a later fall application was the best

The weeds will suck chemical in all winter. Same thing with grass. Grass is never 100% dormant.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Sweet. Thanks man.