Weed and Feed vs Fertilizer: Should You Use a Combo Product?
Weed and feed is convenient but applies herbicide to your entire lawn when only patches may have weeds. Separate fertilizer and targeted weed control is more effective, less wasteful, and safer for the environment. Use weed and feed only if your entire lawn has widespread weed problems.
How Do Weed and Feed and Fertilizer Only Compare?
Fertilizer Only wins 3 of 5 categories. The breakdown below covers convenience, targeted weed control, environmental impact, timing flexibility, cost for weedy lawns.
| Factor | Weed and Feed | Fertilizer Only |
|---|---|---|
Convenience One product, one application handles both feeding and weed control in a single pass | ||
Targeted Weed Control Separate application lets you spray weeds only where they grow instead of treating the entire lawn | ||
Environmental Impact Weed and feed applies herbicide to areas that do not need it, increasing chemical load on the environment | ||
Timing Flexibility Fertilizer and herbicide have different optimal timing. Combined products force compromise on timing for one or both | ||
Cost for Weedy Lawns If weeds are everywhere, weed and feed is cheaper than buying separate fertilizer and herbicide |
When Should You Choose Weed and Feed?
Choose Weed and Feed when you prioritize convenience, cost for weedy lawns. One product, one application handles both feeding and weed control in a single pass
- Convenience: One product, one application handles both feeding and weed control in a single pass
- Cost for Weedy Lawns: If weeds are everywhere, weed and feed is cheaper than buying separate fertilizer and herbicide
When Should You Choose Fertilizer Only?
Choose Fertilizer Only when you prioritize targeted weed control, environmental impact, timing flexibility. Separate application lets you spray weeds only where they grow instead of treating the entire lawn
- Targeted Weed Control: Separate application lets you spray weeds only where they grow instead of treating the entire lawn
- Environmental Impact: Weed and feed applies herbicide to areas that do not need it, increasing chemical load on the environment
- Timing Flexibility: Fertilizer and herbicide have different optimal timing. Combined products force compromise on timing for one or both
Sources
Source:Scotts: Turf Builder Weed and FeedSource:Wikipedia: Weed ControlLast updated: