A weed and feed treatment is the best way to keep your lawn healthy and nutrient-rich. But most homeowners struggle with the question - “How long to wait to mow after weed and feed?” After all, the nutrients shouldn’t go to waste. So, this blog will help you understand when to mow after watering and feeding the lawn.
What Does Weed And Feed Mean?
Weed and feed is a term used for adding herbicides and fertilizers, which help kill weeds and protect the nutrients of the garden. Though the herbicides may differ depending on the products (pre- and post-emergent), the purpose of application remains the same. There are several types of weed and feed options, such as -
- Granular: They are slow-release but are easy to store, and are best for long-term feeding for large areas.
- Liquid: They are best for quick fixes and spot treatments, and can easily be applied with a hose.
- Pre-Emergent: This helps in preventing germination of weed seeds, such as crabgrass, and is mostly applied in early spring.
- Post-Emergent: Post-emergent kills existing weeds during their growing seasons.
Every weed and feed has different formulations that are customized as per the grass types, like Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda Grass, and Bahia Grass.
How Long Should You Wait to Mow After Weeding and Feeding?
Mowing is important to keep the lawn healthy and lush green. It increases the effectiveness of the lawn treatment and helps grass grow thicker, and also chokes out weeds. It is best to wait for at least 2 days after applying weed and feed before mowing. This time period is needed to allow the grass to absorb the herbicides. Also, don’t water the lawn immediately after the application, because it may wash away the herbicides and essential nutrients.
Waiting for 24-48 hours after the weed and feed application ensures the soil absorbs the herbicides better. This allows the weed to absorb the chemical before it can sustain any damage. However, if you have planted new turf, avoid using these treatments, as they can be too harsh for the young grass. Also, it can hinder the seed germination and root development.
When you mow the lawn after the treatment, it is advised to leave the grass clippings on the ground. This is because the grass clippings act as barriers to hold the freshly applied nutrients.
Tips to Follow Once It’s Time to Mow the Lawn
After 2 days, you can resume your mowing routine. However, before starting to mow the lawn, here are a few tips you should consider following -
- Avoid mowing the grass right after watering. Allow them to dry, as wet grass weighs down the blades, which may lead to uneven cuts.
- Keep the mower’s blade sharp enough to ensure it cuts cleanly. This is because blunt blades will rip the grass, make the lawn look ragged, and may increase the chance of infestation.
- Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass, as it may prevent the leaf blades from performing photosynthesis. This will make your lawn grass weaker and susceptible to disease.
When Should You Water After Weed and Feed?
Watering is very important, as it helps activate the chemicals so that they can be absorbed by the roots and soil properly. But when should you water your lawn after weed and feed? Here’s expert advice on when you can water your lawn, depending on granular and liquid weed and feed -
Granular Weed and Feed
It is advised to wait for 24-72 hours before watering the lawn if you treat your lawn with granular weed and feed. For post-emergent fertilizers, consider applying them on slightly wet grass and wait for a minimum of 24 hours before you water the turf. However, you can water before the application, and then sprinkle the weed and feed. This ensures that the granules dissolve properly. For exact information, you must check the packaging details, as some manufacturers may recommend waiting for 24-48 hours, while some recommend waiting for 24-72 hours.
On the other hand, for pre-emergent weed and feed, keep the lawn dry, and after the application, wet the area to activate the chemicals. The herbicides must be activated before the weed can start growing. But when you water afterwards, ensure to keep the water minimal. This is because, if you soak the soil in water, it may dilute the fertilizer, making it less effective.
Liquid Weed and Feed
Liquid weed and feed does not require watering. However, every grass turf needs watering, so it is advised to wait for at least 24-48 hours before the next watering routine. This time gap will allow the liquid weed and feed to properly penetrate into the soil and leaves. If you water too soon, the liquid may get washed away and won’t get absorbed properly, which may not give optimal results.
When you water the turf, ensure to water the lawn with about 1 inch per week, and adjust the amount as required, as per the weather conditions.
