When to Use Fertilizers & Weed Killers?

Growing a nice lawn and garden can take time and effort and can yield a nice payoff of a beautiful yard. The work must be done correctly, though, or it is all wasted. This is why timing is important for applying fertilizers and weed killers. The right timing can make a big difference in producing nice landscaping around your house.

Fertilizer

Fertilizers help plants make food and encourage growth. Most of the time, fertilizing should be done at the beginning or in the early part of the growing season. Gardeners will fertilize late to encourage growth that makes plants look healthier, but this is bad in the long term. The new growth will be at risk during the winter and can lead to winter kill. Over-fertilizing plants can also lead to more aphid attacks.

Weed Killer

There are two types of weed killer, pre-emergence and post-emergence control. Weed killer can be applied early to prevent some weeds from starting and applied later to kill some active weeds. Pre-emergent control can be used to stop crabgrass and other grasses and should be applied in early spring. Sometimes, a second application is necessary. Post-emergence control is used for broadleaf weeds and perennial grass weeds. This weed killer is best applied when weeds are young and still growing. The best time is when the soil is moist and the temperature is warm, approximately 65 to 80 degrees.

References

• When and How to Use Fertilizer in Summer
• Weed Control in Home Lawns