lawn weed and feed

searchlight123

hi all
i have a small lawn well covered with grass (no bald patches) but containing a lot of weed. is it too late in the year to put down a weed and feed and if it is ok to do can anyone recommend a particular brand.
many thanks.

poorly_scammo

At this time of year you need to buy an autumn version e.g. Evergreen Autumn. The word 'autumn' is the key one to look for on the box. The formulation is different - has more nitrogen in it for growth amongst other things. I bought an unknown brand in Aldi a few weeks ago for £3.99. It strengthens the lawn and helps it cope with winter. Next spring the lawn should (fingers crossed) look better.

In spring you can start using the other weed and feed stuff. I can't recommend a particular brand because I tend to buy whichever is on special offer.

searchlight123

Many thanks for reply PS.
Will look in Aldi as that seems a good price.

Suzy_M

poorly_scammo wrote: »

The word 'autumn' is the key one to look for on the box. The formulation is different - has more nitrogen in it for growth amongst other things.

Sorry at this time of year fertiliser should have less nitrogen in it as you don't want to be promoting leaf growth at this time of year. You need something with a higher proportion of phosphates and potash than nitrogen to feed the roots.
When searching for a product check the packet for N:P:K - ideally you should be looking for something like 4:12:12 or similar proportions. - Consumer choice is limited though - the only suitable 'retail' make I've ever been able to find is Scott's (closest version of the stuff supplied to professional green keepers etc.)
As for weed killers - these are only effective when weeds are actively growing - which they usually aren't at this time of year.

poorly_scammo

Suzy_M wrote: »

Sorry at this time of year fertiliser should have less nitrogen in it as you don't want to be promoting leaf growth at this time of year. You need something with a higher proportion of phosphates and potash than nitrogen to feed the roots.

Ah my mistake.

I'd still go for something with autumn on the box though.

Leif

Suzy_M wrote: »

As for weed killers - these are only effective when weeds are actively growing - which they usually aren't at this time of year.

I have read in many places that the best time to spray bindweed is autumn, as that is when it carries nutrients back down to the roots for storage. Perhaps that is true of other perennial weeds.

tired_dad

nil in our local ALDI. Looking for any deals on autumn lawn feed.

I put down feed twice a year. Autumn one now and normal one in late spring.

I find a weed trowel very useful and in the height of the dandelion growing season, walk about pulling them out from the roots.

glasgowdan

Tired Dad it's no wonder you're tired if you trowel individual dandelions!

Granular weed treatments are not effective, including evergreen etc. They rely on the granules making contact with weed leaves. But what if a particular leaf isn't hit? Well it isn't killed! A spray weed treatment is the only effective method, and it IS effective at this time of year as long as you get a dry day.

One treatment a year is usually enough though; I tend to do this in May/June.