Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is a combination product designed to eliminate existing weeds while simultaneously fertilizing your lawn․ It leverages WeedGrip Technology to target and kill over 50 listed weeds, including clover, dandelion, and plantain, while promoting a thicker, greener lawn․
Product Overview: Weed Control and Lawn Feeding
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is a dual-action lawn care product meticulously crafted to tackle two critical aspects of lawn maintenance: weed eradication and lawn nourishment․ This innovative solution combines the power of a selective herbicide with a balanced fertilizer, providing a comprehensive approach to achieving a healthy and vibrant lawn․ The primary function of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is to effectively control and eliminate a wide spectrum of common lawn weeds, including but not limited to dandelions, clover, chickweed, and plantain․ These unsightly weeds can detract from the overall appearance of your lawn and compete with desirable grasses for essential nutrients, water, and sunlight․
Simultaneously, this product delivers a potent dose of essential nutrients to your lawn, promoting vigorous growth, enhanced color, and increased density․ The fertilizer component of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is carefully formulated to provide a balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are vital for supporting healthy root development, lush green foliage, and overall lawn vitality․ By nourishing your lawn while eliminating weeds, this product helps create a thick, dense turf that is more resistant to future weed infestations, ensuring a long-lasting and beautiful lawn․
Key Features: WeedGrip Technology and Lawn Thickening
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed boasts two standout features that contribute significantly to its effectiveness․ The first is WeedGrip Technology, an innovative approach to weed control․ This technology enhances the herbicide’s ability to adhere to weed leaves, ensuring maximum contact and absorption․ By improving adhesion, WeedGrip Technology allows the active ingredients to penetrate the weeds more effectively, leading to faster and more complete eradication․ This targeted approach minimizes the risk of harming desirable grasses while maximizing the impact on unwanted weeds․
The second key feature is its lawn-thickening capability․ Beyond simply killing weeds, this product actively promotes a denser, lusher lawn․ The fertilizer component provides essential nutrients that stimulate grass growth, encouraging new shoots and tillers to emerge․ As the grass thickens, it effectively crowds out existing weeds and prevents new ones from establishing themselves․ This dual-action approach not only eliminates current weed problems but also creates a more resilient lawn that is less susceptible to future infestations․ The result is a visibly thicker, healthier lawn with fewer weeds and improved overall appearance․
Target Weeds: Types Controlled (Clover, Dandelion, Plantain, etc․)
Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is formulated to control a broad spectrum of common lawn weeds, making it a versatile solution for various weed infestations․ Among the primary targets are clover, known for its creeping growth and distinctive three-leaf pattern, and dandelion, easily identified by its bright yellow flowers and tenacious taproot․ Plantain, another prevalent weed, is characterized by its broad leaves and ribbed texture․
Beyond these common culprits, Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed also effectively tackles a range of other unwanted plants․ These may include chickweed, dollarweed, oxalis, henbit, purslane, knotweed, violets and creeping charlie, each presenting unique challenges to lawn health and aesthetics․ By targeting such a diverse array of weeds, this product provides comprehensive weed control, ensuring a cleaner, more uniform lawn surface․ The precise list of controlled weeds can typically be found on the product label, allowing homeowners to confirm its suitability for their specific weed problems․ Consistent application, according to label directions, is crucial for achieving optimal control of these listed weed species․
Optimal Application Timing: Temperature and Weed Activity
The effectiveness of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is heavily influenced by the timing of its application, particularly in relation to temperature and weed activity․ The ideal window for application is when weeds are actively growing, typically when daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F․ This temperature range ensures that weeds are actively absorbing nutrients and herbicides, maximizing the product’s efficacy․
In northern regions, this optimal period usually falls in late spring or early fall when broadleaf weeds like clover, violets, and creeping Charlie are most vulnerable․ In the southern United States, application can be tailored to coincide with the active growth periods of region-specific weeds like dollarweed․
Avoid applying Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed during periods of extreme heat or drought stress, as weeds may become dormant, reducing herbicide uptake․ Similarly, avoid application when temperatures are consistently below 60°F, as weed growth will be too slow for effective control․ Monitoring weed activity and temperature trends is essential for achieving the best possible results․
Pre-Application Preparation: Lawn Moisture (Dew or Watering)
Proper lawn preparation before applying Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is crucial for ensuring optimal results․ One of the most important factors is lawn moisture․ The ideal scenario is to apply the product when the grass is wet, either from morning dew or light watering․ This moisture is essential because it helps the Weed & Feed granules adhere to the weed leaves․
When the granules stick to the weed leaves, the herbicide component can be effectively absorbed, leading to better weed control․ If the lawn is dry, the granules may simply fall off the weed leaves and onto the soil, reducing the product’s effectiveness․
If there is no dew present, lightly water the lawn before application․ Avoid overwatering, as this can wash away the granules․ The goal is to moisten the grass blades and weed leaves, creating a sticky surface for the product to adhere to․ Ensure uniform moisture across the lawn for consistent results․ Remember, the product needs to stick to the weed leaves to be effective․
Application Method: Spreader Settings (Broadcast/Rotary and Drop)
Achieving an even application of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed is critical for uniform weed control and lawn fertilization․ Using the correct spreader settings is essential for this process․ Scotts recommends using a spreader for application, and the appropriate setting varies depending on the type of spreader you have: broadcast/rotary or drop․
For Scotts broadcast or rotary spreaders, a general setting of 3 is often recommended, but it’s crucial to consult the product label for specific instructions, as settings can vary depending on the specific Weed & Feed formulation and spreader model․ Broadcast spreaders distribute the product over a wide area․
For Scotts drop spreaders, a setting of 7 is often suggested, but again, the product label should be consulted for precise settings․ Drop spreaders release the product directly beneath the spreader․ Overlapping passes should be avoided with drop spreaders to prevent over-application․ Calibrating your spreader ensures accurate and consistent distribution․ Always refer to the product label․
Post-Application Care: Watering Restrictions (24 Hours)
Proper post-application care is vital to maximize the effectiveness of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed․ A key element of this care involves carefully managing watering practices, specifically regarding restrictions within the first 24 hours after application․
It is generally recommended to avoid watering your lawn for at least 24 hours after applying Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed․ This waiting period allows the product’s weed-killing components to adhere to weed leaves and be properly absorbed․ Watering too soon can wash away the granules, reducing their contact with the weeds and diminishing the product’s effectiveness․
Similarly, avoid applying the product if rain is expected within 24 hours․ Rainfall can have the same effect as watering, washing the granules off the weeds before they can be properly absorbed․ If unexpected rain occurs shortly after application, it may be necessary to reapply the product to ensure adequate weed control․ After the initial 24-hour period, normal watering can resume․
Grass Types: Suitable and Unsuitable Varieties (St․ Augustinegrass, etc․)
Selecting the right Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed product necessitates careful consideration of your lawn’s grass type․ Certain grass varieties are highly sensitive to the herbicides contained within weed and feed formulas, leading to potential damage or discoloration if the wrong product is used․
Generally, Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed products are safe and effective for use on common northern grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fescue․ However, some southern grass types are particularly susceptible to herbicide damage․
Specifically, avoid using most Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed products on St․ Augustinegrass (including Floratam varieties), as well as on Dichondra, Lippia, and Carpetgrass lawns․ These grasses are prone to injury from the herbicides, resulting in yellowing or thinning of the lawn․ It is very important to carefully read the product label․ Some products may be suitable for use on select Southern grasses like Zoysiagrass and Centipedegrass, but only if the label explicitly indicates compatibility․
Application Frequency: Maximum Times Per Year and Intervals
To maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn while preventing potential damage from over-application, it’s crucial to adhere to recommended application frequencies for Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed products․ Generally, applications should be limited to a maximum of two times per year․
A minimum interval of 30 days should always be observed between applications․ This waiting period allows the grass to recover and prevents excessive exposure to herbicides, minimizing the risk of stress or injury․ Applying the product more frequently than recommended can harm the grass, leading to thinning, discoloration, or even death․
Consider the overall health of your lawn and the severity of weed infestations when determining if a second application is necessary․ If weed control is satisfactory after the initial application, a second treatment may not be required․ Over-application not only risks damaging your lawn but also contributes to unnecessary chemical runoff․ Always follow the guidelines on the product label․
Safety Precautions: People and Pets Re-entry Time
When using Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed, prioritizing the safety of people and pets is paramount․ To minimize potential exposure to chemicals, it is generally advised to keep people and pets off the treated lawn until the product has been watered in and the lawn is completely dry․
While immediate reentry is technically possible after application, limiting activity on the lawn for the first 24 hours, especially before watering, is recommended to maximize weed control effectiveness․ This allows the product to adhere properly to weed leaves and prevents it from being tracked indoors․
After watering and drying, the risk of exposure is significantly reduced․ However, consider vulnerable individuals, such as young children and pets, who may be more sensitive to chemical residues․ If concerns persist, waiting an additional 24 hours before allowing unrestricted access is a prudent measure․ Always follow the instructions on the product label․
Seasonal Use: Fall Application with WinterGuard Formula
Fall is an optimal time to apply Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed․ This product not only fertilizes the lawn but also controls weeds, setting the stage for a healthier lawn in the spring․ Applying in the fall allows the lawn to build deep roots, improving its ability to withstand the stresses of winter and emerge stronger in the following growing season․
The WinterGuard formula helps the lawn recover from the summer heat and prepares it for colder temperatures․ It also targets weeds like dandelions and clover, preventing them from establishing themselves before winter arrives․ Applying in the fall ensures that the lawn receives the necessary nutrients to promote vigorous growth and weed control․
For best results, apply to a damp lawn, allowing the product to stick to the weed leaves․ Avoid watering for 24 hours after application to allow the herbicide to be absorbed effectively․ By using Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard in the fall, you can ensure a greener, weed-free lawn next spring․