To preface: I'm new to this. Trying to keep this brief, I put down a light layer of Scott's Weed & Feed on my lawn about a month ago and it has had the opposite effect – killing most of my grass and leaving most of the weeds. I spread less than the bag called for to try to avoid burning my grass. My theory is that this grass wasn't mature enough for the product and I didn't put enough down to kill the weeds, all of the grass was new mostly from last fall and this spring.
I'm pretty bummed to have to start over, but my question to you is: What's the best/quickest way to get a yard again? Should I burn what I have left to truly start from scratch? Start over seeding now? Just focus on prepping soil to overseed in fall/spring?
Context: Im surrounded by woods, so I don't mind weeds in general, just don't want it to overrun my yard. I live near Richmond, Virginia. I just sent a soil test in and should have the results very soon if that matters. (First pic was in Spring, second is now)
by _chandaddy14
19 Comments
OP it’s not too late to delete this post, reverse the order of the pics, and tell us you did a reno and these are the before and after pics when you repost.
On a serious note, I’m sorry this happened to you. You probably need to wait until fall to do any meaningful renovations on this scale, but the guides in the sidebar are incredibly helpful and a great place for you to start.
What is the exact product you applied? In your area, they likely sell products for both cool, warm, transition area grasses. If you for something for the worng area, it would likely kill off your “good” grass. And it cartainly didn’t kill any weeds.
Also, did you use a pre-emergent? I’d guess no.
Lastly, weed’n’feed bags are bunk…they can’t actually work efficiently to do both…in this case, it worked the wrong way..
Your lawn looks like it has mostly weeds on both pictures.
I have used the liquid weed and feed just once and it had good result. People here suggest to use weed killers and fertilizers separately.
was it hot when you applied? If not, likely the lawn you had is full of weeds that you just got rid of. You will do aeration, overseed (water several times a day), topdress with compost (optional) and fert after 4-6 weeks in the fall when temp is constantly below 80 or lower. It seems you have lots of shade, you will want to pick something does well in shade and also buy good quality seeds from twin city, united etc.
I have a small patch where an extra amount dumped on my lawn and the grass died. I’m under the assumption that too much Scott’s can kill the lawn.
It won’t kill weeds unless it sticks to their leafs. You have to water right before spreading . And if it’s new grass that’s why it killed it.
You can get new high quality grass seed here for a good price.
http://www.thehogancompany.us
Must’ve been all weeds
What type of grass did you seed with? That may be part of the problem given the current temps.
I had a similar situation with you and used the Scott’s weed and feed yellow bag as well. But my thing is I also used Image Nutsedge killer with a pinch of glyphosate and it really killed my lawn after with a few stragglers of Bermuda and long leaf weeds left. Now I’m trying to reseed and fertilize only with nitrogen (Scott’s turf builder bonus S) to see how it goes. Seed sprouts seem to be coming back and I know people say seeded Bermuda sucks but that’s all I can do right now instead of resodding. Learning this stuff has been tough but now I’m just going to stick to fertilizer, seed. And water
ironically it killed everything except the weeds
This doesn’t help now, but for the future: stop buying chemicals from box stores.
Visit your local professional landscape supply store. See if there is a SiteOne in your area. Chemicals & amendments are cheaper, and the staff usually have the knowledge to recommend exactly what you need and offer advice on when /how to apply.
Did you apply in the heat?
When was your seed planted?
Personally not a fan of weed and feed. Better off as a homeowner using the hose end sprayer of a 2-4d dicambia product such as bioadvance northern and Southern lawns weed killer.
Ant hills all over lawn
Op I just want to add I had a very similar issue with weed and feed and based on a lot of these replies it sounds like we did the same thing 🙁 however, lots of good info in here and will be praying for both of our lawns in the fall lol
I applied this in Cle maybe 2 weeks ago. I’m TERRIFIED now
I am NOT an expert but I have been nerding out about lawns for a decade now. This seems like something else is going on here IMO. What about when the trees filled in did it get exponentially more shaded? Could it be some kind of grub/bug?
I feel like the only way scotts weed and feed (a light layer) would kill like this is IF it was not actually the named product or meant for a different grass type then you have.
My thoughts
– maybe it was too hot
– is it possible you seeded with annual fescue?
– you may have applied it too heavily and nitrogen burned your lawn
So you started with weeds and dirt, put down a beautiful new seeded lawn, used Scott’s weed and feed and now you’re back to dirt and weeds. As a long time Scott’s product user, there is no way it would do this. I think you’ve got something else going on and my guess is grubs.