Best Weed and Feed for Fescue Grass

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Keeping your lawn looking great means that you need to weed frequently, and fertilize at the right times of the year. If your lawn looks a bit drab and weedy, bring it back to life with weed and feed fertilizers and herbicides. Designed to introduce essential nutrients into the ground that accelerate the growth of your grass, these products help your lawn grow thick and healthy, and with no weeds.

Take a look at our guide to help you choose the right type of lawn products that will work on your grass, and our top picks for the best weed and feed options for purchase today.

1. BEST OVERALL: Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: GreenView Weed & Feed
3. UPGRADE PICK: BioAdvanced All-in-One Weed & Feed
4. BEST COOL SEASON: GreenView Fairway Formula
5. BEST WARM SEASON: Scotts Turf Southern Triple Action
6. BEST FOR WEED PREVENTION: Preen One LawnCare
7. BEST LIQUID: Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Weed Control

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Before You Buy

Maintaining a healthy lawn includes mowing, weeding, watering, and fertilizing. However, fertilizing isn't always necessary. Over-fertilizing your lawn will make the grass grow more vigorously, causing you to have to mow more frequently or lead to run-off which ends up in your local watershed.

Excessive fertilizing can result in lawn burn, which is when the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil are too high and cause yellow to brown strips or patches of dead grass. A lawn, as with any type of plant, only needs fertilizing if the soil lacks the vital nutrients to help it grow. In situations like these, fertilizing your soil is essential.

Types of Weed and Feed

Weed and feed comes in two forms: liquid and granular. Although the liquid forms are easier to apply and provide faster results, it's more economical to use the granular form. Spray or liquid weed and feed are designed for small yards. Granular weed and feed covers more area, often 5,000 square feet or more, and are available in 18-lb bags and larger. Granular versions offer a better value for your money, but you do need to water your lawn after application for it to penetrate the grass.

Some weed and feed feature slow-release formulas so you don't have to fertilize as often. However, to achieve good results plan on treating your lawn at least once every eight weeks from the start of spring.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Weed and Feed

Type of Turf Grass

The best weed and feed product for your lawn depends on the type of grass you have. Grass species have different nutrient requirements, so not all of them are safe for every species of grass. Using the wrong product can damage your grass. In general, grass species are divided into two categories: warm season and cool season. The seasons do not refer to the time of year, but the climate and average soil temperature range.

• Warm-season turfgrasses grow best with average soil temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-season grasses thrive in warmer climates found in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States and include Bahia grass, Bermuda grass, carpet grass, Saint Augustine grass, and zoysia grass (Japanese lawn grass).
• Cool-season turfgrasses grow best with average soil temperatures between 60 and 75 Fahrenheit. Cool-season grasses thrive in the cooler climates of the Midwest and Northern regions of the United States. Some cool-season grasses are Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall and hard fescue.

Selecting a fertilizer and weed killer that's compatible with your grass species will give you far better results.

Nutrients

To grow a lush lawn, your soil needs to have essential nutrients. Fertilizers temporarily add nutrients to the soil. Fertilizers denote their nutrient ratios as NPK. This denotation represents the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the product. This is how the nutrients help grass:

• Nitrogen helps the grass to grow properly and develop a green color.
• Phosphorus helps to develop strong root systems.
• Potassium protects plants from disease, drought, and cold.

There are at least 11 states that ban phosphorus fertilizer use or sale. Luckily, many lawn weed and feed products available have adapted to this and have removed phosphorus from the product. Don't worry—the weed and feed will still green up and thicken the grass without the additional phosphorus.

Fertilizers can also contain secondary elements and micronutrients needed for healthy growth such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, boron, iron, molybdenum, zinc, copper, chloride, nickel, and manganese. To find out exactly what nutrients your lawn needs can be determined by conducting a soil test. You can either purchase a test to use at home or take a soil sample to your local cooperative extension testing office.

Targeting Weeds

Many fertilizers also have built-in herbicides or weed preventatives. Some products are better at killing certain types of common weeds and pests than others. In general, most weed and feed target common types of broadleaf weeds including plantain, chickweed, creeping charlie, dandelions, and clover.

Weed preventers, or pre-emergent weed killers, block weed seeds that are already in the soil, like crabgrass, poa annua, chickweed, and henbit, from germinating. Identify the type of weeds that are infesting your lawn and then make sure you choose a product that's made to take care of it.

Our Top Picks

The following list takes into account the above considerations to narrow the field to some of the most effective weed and feeds on the market. This list includes both liquid and granular weed treatments for improving your lawn.

Photo: amazon.com

Scotts is a well-known grass care brand that has an extensive range of lawn care products, including fertilizers and weed killers. This product combines the strongest weed and feed available from Scotts to knock out broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, and other common weeds with WeedGrip technology and feeds your lawn for thicker grass.

Scotts Turf Builder is across the board one of the most popular and economical fertilizer and weed control combination products available for purchase. Although it works on many common turf grasses such as fescue, centipede grass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, Bahia grass, zoysia grass, and Bermuda grass, it's not recommended for some warm-season grasses such as Saint Augustine grass, Dichondra grass, or carpet grass.

Product Specs

• Type: Granular
• Grass Types: Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass, centipede, and more
• Nutrients: Nitrogen and potassium
• Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds: Dandelions, clover, and more

Pros

• Strong formula
• Ample quantity provided
• WeedGrip technology

Cons

• May not be suitable for warm-season grasses
• Should not be wetted 24 hours after use

Get the Scotts Turf Builder at Amazon , Lowe's , and The Home Depot .

Photo: amazon.com

Taking care of your lawn and reducing common weeds should not have to break the bank. The GreenView Weed & Feed mix is made with a time-resease nitrate that absorbs water to thicken grass while removing 250 weed varieties including dandelion, clover, plantain, dollarweed, and ground ivy.

This granular formula is effective for over 8 weeks and is safe to use on warm- and cool-season grass types. Plus, it resists heat and drought in the warm summer months to avoid burning grass and other lawn injuries.

Product Specs

• Type: Granular
• Grass Types: Kentucky bluegrass, bahiagrass, Bermuda grass, and more
• Nutrients: Nitrogen
• Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds: Dandelion, clover, plantain, dollarweed, and more

Pros

• Suitable for all seasons and most grass types
• Kills over 250 weed varieties
• Time-release formula; lasts for 8 weeks
• Water-retaining

Cons

• Should not be used on St Augustine grass, dichondra, and carpetgrass

Get the GreenView weed & feed at Amazon , The Home Depot , and Lowe's .

Photo: amazon.com

Taking care of your grass while keeping away common weeds and crabgrass can be exhausting and time-consuming. But, the BioAdvances All-in-One Weed & Feed granular mix can solve all three of these problems with its triple-action formula.

This potent mix can kill crabgrass as well as broadleaf weeds like clover, dandelion, chickweed, and 200 other weed and grassy weed varieties while strengthening your established grass by fortifying roots with its Micro-Feed Action formula.

With a coverage area of over 5,000 square feet, this mix resists the effects of heat and drought and is safe to use on cool-season grass types.

Product Specs

• Type: Granular
• Grass Types:Bermuda grass, Fescue, Zoysia grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and more
• Nutrients: Phosphorus
• Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds: Bitterweed, chickweed, dandelions, clover, crabgrass, and more

Pros

• Works on over 200 weed and grassy weed varieties
• Micro-Action formula
• Resists heat and drought

Cons

• Not suitable for new or warm-season grass
• Some users report difficulty while using

Get the BioAdvanced weed & feed on Amazon .

Photo: amazon.com

GreenView Fairway Formula fertilizes your lawn, kills over 200 species of lawn weeds, and prevents crabgrass from growing. It contains both slow-release and quick-release nutrients that provide nutrients for up to 12 weeks at a time.

Due to the slow-releasing formula, GreenView Fairway Formula is best for use on established lawns that have a healthy root system. Using it on new grass may result in burning and stunted growth. This product is safe for use on cool-season grasses only.

Product Specs

• Type: Granular
• Grass Types: Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass, centipede, and more
• Nutrients: Nitrogen
• Coverage Area: 15,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds: Crabgrass, dandelions, and more

Pros

• Suitable for 200 varieties of weeds
• Slow-release formula; works for 12 weeks
• Ampel quantity provided

Cons

• Not suitable for new or warm-season grass
• Pricey

Get the GreenView Fairway weed and feed at Amazon , Walmart , and The Home Depot .

Photo: amazon.com

Warm-season grasses need a weed and feed that can stand up to heat and drought conditions, while building a thick and green lawn. Scotts Turf Builder Southern Triple Action is made for southern lawns and is safe for use on Saint Augustine grass, zoysia grass, centipede grass, and carpet grass. However, it is not recommended for use on Bermuda grass.

This product also contains an insecticide that targets fire ants, mole crickets, sod webworms, fleas, armyworms, and more and it keeps them away for up to six months.

Product Specs

• Type: Granular
• Grass Types: Saint Augustine grass, zoysia grass, centipede grass, and carpet grass
• Nutrients: Nitrogen and potassium
• Coverage Area: 8,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds:Dollarweed, dandelion, clover, oxalis, and more

Pros

• Withstands heat and drought
• Works on weeds and insects
• Effective for 6 months

Cons

• Not suitable for Bermuda grass
• Pricey

Get the Scotts Turf Southern weed and feed at Amazon , Walmart , and Lowe's .

Photo: amazon.com

This weed and feed product works best on lawns where weeds are already growing and taking over the yard. Preen One is a pre-emergent herbicide that can be applied to established turfgrass to control and eliminate over 250 weeds, including dandelions, and has a slow-release fertilizer that will feed your lawn for up to eight weeks.

This weed and feed is safe for most types of cool- and warm-season grasses, but it is not recommended for use on Saint Augustine grass, Dichondra grass, or carpet grass.

Product Specs

• Type: Granular
• Grass Types: Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, centipede, and more
• Nutrients: Nitrogen and potassium
• Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds: Dandelions, crabgrass, and more

Pros

• Suitable for ample weed control
• Slow-release formula; lasts for 8 weeks
• Pre-emerged herbicide
• Suitable for warm- and cool-season grass types
• Affordable

Cons

• Not suitable for Saint Augustine, Dichondra, or carpet grass

Get the Preen One weed and feed at Amazon , The Home Depot , and Lowe's .

Photo: amazon.com

Easily fertilize your lawn while killing dandelions and clover. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder gives your lawn a quick boost of nitrogen while controlling weeds. It is easy to apply, too—simply attach the applicator to your garden hose and spray this liquid weed and feed as needed.

Scotts Turf Builder helps to control buckhorn, chickweed, clover, dandelion, ground ivy, henbit, knotweed, and more. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Liquid Weed Control can be used during any season, with almost any grass type. When used as directed, it won't burn the lawn, and it's safe to use around children and pets.

Product Specs

• Type: Liquid
• Grass Types: Most grass types
• Nutrients: Potassium and nitrate
• Coverage Area: 6,000 square feet
• Compatible Weeds: Dandelions, buckthorn, chickweed, clovers, and more

Pros

• Suitable for any season and grass type
• Safe for homes with children and pets
• Easy to apply; built-in applicator for garden hose
• Affordable

Cons

• Not meant for pre-emergent weeds

Get the Scotts Liquid Turf Builder at Amazon , The Home Depot , and Lowe's .

Our Verdict

For a reliable weed and feed fertilizer that works on a variety of grass types and covers ample surface area, we recommend the Scotts Turf Builder weed & feed. This strong, granular formula contains nitrogen, potassium, and WeedGrip technology to kill stubborn weeds at the roots and works on fescue, centipede grass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and more. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option, the GreenView weed and feed has a nitrogen-based formula that takes care of over 250 weed varieties and can be applied in any season to most grass types.

How We the Best Weed and Feeds

These recommendations for the best weed and feed products include a variety of options to meet the weed-killing needs of typical users who want to maintain a beautiful residential landscape. We narrowed our research to focus primarily on granular weed and feed, as those are some of the most popular on the market due to their versatility and effectiveness. However, we found that one liquid weed and feed ranked highest when it came to ease of use.

We also evaluated these weed and feed products based on their compatibility with grass types and nutrients, with most being infused with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate which makes them safe for most warm- or cool-season grass types. As for coverage area, each can tackle 5,000 square feet or more to kill crabgrass as well as broadleaf weeds.

There are a broad number of weed and feed products ranked on our list that can work quickly and have long-lasting effects, but some also focus on pest control, resist heat and drought, and are affordable.

FAQs

If you're wondering if weed and feed is safe to use around pets and people or what type is best for killing stubborn weeds, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about these products.

Q: How effective is weed and feed?

Weed and feed is effective when it comes to fortifying your grass and removing stubborn weeds like dandelions, crabgrass, clovers, and more. But, long-term use could cause harmful effects on your grass so it should be used as-needed and not for a long-term solution to weed problems. For that, look for a suitable weed killer.

Q: How fast does weed and feed work?

Depending upon the brand, it may take 5 days to up to 2 weeks to see the visible results of weed and feed.

Q: When is the best time to apply weed and feed?

As it is with most gardening or fertilizing tasks, it is best to apply weed and feed in the spring. This is when weeds are actively beginning to grow which allows the weed and feed to kill the weeds as seedlings. However, some brands do not recommend the weed and feed to become wet after application so apply the product 24 hours before there will be rain in your area.

Q: Is weed and feed safe for dogs?

Is used properly, weed and feed is safe to use on lawns and spaces where dogs (and even children) are actively playing. But, allow for your weed and feed to dry completely before allowing your dog to play in the area

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Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-weed-and-feed/

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