Sticking to a lawn care schedule is crucial if you want your grass to appear gorgeous throughout the season. Typically, this entails using several phases of weed control and grass fertilizer.

The timing of mowing about the administration of weed and feed, regular fertilizer, or both is a topic that often comes up in conversation.

This essay will address that subject and provide advice on how to maintain your lawn with the least amount of effort.

Different Lawn Care Methods

Before I go into the ideal order to care for your grass, let me define what I mean by each kind of lawn treatment.

Weed and Feed

The phrase “weed and feed” refers to a fertilizer and herbicide combination that tries to boost the grass’s health and eliminate any weeds that are already there or stop them from sprouting. A maximum of twice a year should pass between applications for these items.

Weed and feeds, often used in early summer as a single application product, are practical but less effective than separate pre-emergent weed killers followed by an early summer fertilizer.

Herbicide Spray

Weed killers are referred to as herbicides in horticulture. Herbicides may be either selective or non-selective. Some selective herbicides may be used on lawns because they eliminate particular undesirable weeds like broadleaf vegetation.

Non-selective herbicides should never be used on or near lawns since they destroy weeds, grass, and brush.

Pre-Emergent Weed Killer

Pre-emergent herbicides keep weeds under control by stopping the seeds from sprouting. It functions by forming a chemical barrier on the soil’s surface.

The seeds encounter these toxins and perish as they attempt to sprout. Or, in certain situations, they operate before the seed sprouts by coating the seed shell.

Pre-emergent herbicides are sprayed on the lawn in autumn or early winter and remain there until required.

Lawn Fertilizer Granules

Granules or liquids are the two different types of lawn fertilizer. Granules are often spread out throughout the surface of the grass; when they come into contact with water, they dissolve and become active.

Fertilizer pellets break down slowly, allowing the soil to absorb their nutrients over time. The growth season may be used to apply granules once or twice.

Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is best if you want to fertilize your lawn more often or need a rapid burst of lawn feed. There are two types of liquid fertilizers: concentrates and ready-to-use goods.

A nitrogen-based lawn spray may be used periodically throughout the year to provide thicker, greener grass.

Chelated Iron

Plants and lawns may benefit from chelated iron supplements. This kind of dietary supplement aids plants in absorbing more iron from the soil. Plants often develop iron shortages due to high pH or excessive soil moisture.

Pale yellow leaves are one sign of plant iron deficiency, progressing to general plant health decline and mortality. Chelated iron is more effective when used throughout the growth season.

Whether to apply weed and feed before or after mowing?

Weed and feed may be applied either before or after mowing. I advise using it before mowing your lawn for the best effectiveness.

Most herbicides either penetrate the soil and absorb into the weed’s root system or the weed’s leaves. Weeds have a more extensive foliage surface area for the herbicide to stick to before being mowed since they are actively growing at that time.

Weeds experience shock after mowing, and their development will temporarily cease. In addition, the surface areas of their leaves are significantly decreased.

After mowing, apply weed and feed.

Apply weed and feed ideally two days before mowing. Water the lawn to activate the herbicide and ensure it has had time to penetrate the grass and take action via the weed’s root system or leaves.

The extra two days will give the grass time to dry and provide the herbicide time to be absorbed by the plants and start working.

Certain products may offer recommendations on the proper mowing times depending on the product used. Read the label on products carefully.

In addition, several weed and feed products are based on the kind of grass and environment. The cool-season and southern formulations are the two main categories. These product categories all function on various grasses and climate zones in the US.

Cool-Season Formulations

Within the United States, cool-season grasses may be found in areas with significant temperature changes. The plurality of the United States has one of these climates, including the Midwest, Pacific Southwest, and East Coast. These types of climates have scorching summers and chilly winters.

Perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescues, and fine fescues are common grasses in these regions.

As instructed, it’s crucial to spray weed, feed in the spring and autumn, and mow two days following treatment.

Southern Formulations

Southern grasses are those found in parts of the United States that have warm to hot weather all year round. The Southern United States, which includes states like Texas, Florida, and all of California, has these climates.

Bahia grass, Bermuda grass, and buffalo grass are common grass types in these climates.

Warm-season grasses need an early spring weed and feed application and may be mowed two days later.

Mowing After Using Weed and Feed

You should wait around two days after applying the product after application before mowing your grass.

As a result, the herbicide component of the treatment has more time to get into the soil and start functioning before any plant damage impairs the capacity of the weed to absorb the herbicide.

New lawns are not recommended since these treatments may be too harsh on tender grass. Avoid using weeds and feed to any sections of your property where you have sown new grass since the herbicide will prevent the seeds from taking root.

Which comes first, using weed killer before or after mowing?

There are two types of weed killers you may use on lawns: pre-emergent and post-emergent.

Pre-emergent is spread over your lawn during late autumn or winter; therefore, be sure to mow your grass one final time two days before applying pre-emergent granules all over your property. After the treatment, you shouldn’t need to cut since the grass will be dormant.

Be careful to wait at least two days after the pre-emergent has absorbed water and sunk into the soil if you need to mow again. Water the yard and wait two days if there is no precipitation. Next, cut your yard.

A post-emergent weed killer is administered to actively growing weeds throughout the season. Continue to mow at least two days before or two days after the activation of your post-emergent treatment by rain or irrigation of your grass.

Before or after fertilizing your lawn, should you mow?

Choosing whether to apply fertilizer before or after mowing is a decision that is sometimes too difficult. In other words, we want as much fertilizer to go into the soil as possible. I usually advise cutting the grass before applying fertilizer.

You should mow your grass, fertilize it the next day, and water it. Avoid watering your yard if rain is forecast. Fertilizer run-off and soil nutrient dilution are two effects of using too much water.

Can I Fertilize and Mow on the Same Day?

You can, indeed. But after mowing, wait a few days before fertilizing. Instead, wait at least 10 to 12 hours after cutting before fertilizing.

Grass blades that have just been cut have raw ends that require time to mend and regenerate a protective skin. The grass tips may burn if fertilizer is applied straight to this uncut grass.

Remember that certain fertilizers are intended for particular uses and times of the year. It would help if you didn’t mow after applying a winter fertilizer the next day since the grass can remain dormant.

It’s crucial to ensure uniform coverage when applying fertilizer to avoid burning your grass from overfertilizing. I advise using a spreader or other regulated fertilizer application technique to prevent this.

Spreader of broadcasts

These devices resemble those that are used to paint baseball field lines. They are pulled like lawnmowers and feature two wheels and a container where fertilizer is placed. There is a little blade within the tub. The speed of the wheels and the edge are synchronized.

As their name implies, these spreaders disperse the granules across a broad grass area. They are effective because they cover a lot of lands as you walk, spreading the fertilizer. This guarantees that fertilizer distributes rapidly and effectively. The ideal spreader to use on a big lawn is a broadcast spreader.

Your walking speed determines how quickly the fertilizer will be dispersed. If you move gently, the fertilizer will spread gradually and won’t fly as far. However, the blade’s power will propel the fertilizer further if you go more swiftly.

Spreader of Drops

These spreaders resemble broadcast fertilizers but lack the rotating blade within the tub. Instead, they distribute the fertilizer onto the ground between the spreader’s wheels.

They are instrumental if you want to limit the quantity of dumped fertilizer. They drop the fertilizer precisely where you want it instead of scattering erroneous amounts in all directions.

No matter how swiftly or slowly you walk, drop spreaders always distribute the same quantity of product. Because broadcast spreaders often sprinkle fertilizer on the sidewalk as you circle your lawn, they reduce fertilizer waste. Drop spreaders are thus influential for applying fertilizer near a sidewalk or roadway.

The quantity of fertilizer dropped may be adjusted using the dials on both spreaders. When fertilizing, damp grass performs best. After fertilizing the lawn’s edge, gradually fill up the remaining space.

Spraying Lawn Fertilizer on the Grass

After mowing your grass, you may immediately apply fertilizer spray. Fertilizer burn is a very remote possibility when wetting it in.

You may fertilize your lawn while also watering it by attaching a variety of liquid lawn fertilizers to the end of your garden hose. Alternatively, buy a concentrate that has to be diluted using a backpack or pressure sprayer.

You may easily fertilize your grass using your sprinkler system by diluting the mixture with water and using a spray can. The recommended dilution is 1 lb of fertilizer per 1000 sq ft.

Using corroded iron

Chelated iron may be applied to the grass throughout the growing season. Since it is easily accessible in liquid concentrate form, it is sprayed on.

I advise using chelated iron after mowing for the most significant outcome. Spray droplets will be able to make their way into the soil.

When to Apply Lawn Treatments, Ideally

Every grass treatment has the best time to apply it. After all, isn’t that what they were made for?

Early-Blooming Weed Killer

For cool-season grass, you should pre-emerge weed killer in the early spring before weeds have developed. Pre-emergent weed killer should ideally be used after the grass has been around 55 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 48 hours.

Killer of Post-Emergent Weeds

In cool-season areas, post-emergent weed killers should be used in the early spring, much like pre-emergent weed killers. The best time to use a post-emergent weed killer is early in the day when weeds absorb nutrients and increase. Weed growth slows down over the day. It is advisable to apply the weed killer if rain is expected so that the rain won’t wash it away.

Grass and Feed

Weed and feed applications, including weed killer, should be made in the early spring while the grass wakes from winter slumber. Apply the product once the weeds and grass have both started to grow.

Before reapplying, let your grass a few weeks to recuperate. If you planted your grass, you should wait to feed and weed it until after at least two mowing rounds.

Fertilizer for lawns

In cool-season areas, you may fertilize your lawn up to three times a year—in the spring, early summer, and late autumn. Use nitrogen-rich fertilizer to help the grass grow greener in the spring and early summer. Before the first snow of the season, a winterizing fertilizer combination should be applied in the autumn.

Conclusion: The Best Time to Mow When Using Weed and Feed

The debate on whether to mow before or after weed and feed has been definitively settled. For best results, mow your lawn prior to using a weed and feed product, especially a liquid weed killer. Mowing weeds exposes more surface area for the product to work efficiently and helps in their ultimate eradication. Following this approach ensures your weed killer penetrates deep into the root system of the grassy weeds, thereby hindering the spread of weed seeds throughout the entire lawn.

Moreover, the optimal time to feed your lawn with grass seeds is after you’ve mowed and applied weed killer. This creates the ideal conditions for the seeds to germinate, grow, and flourish, giving you a healthy, weed-free lawn. By doing this, you not only kill weeds effectively, but you also promote vigorous growth for your grass. So, make the right choice and mow before weed and feed to enjoy a beautiful, lush lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood.

In conclusion, it’s crucial to mow your lawn at least two days after using a combination of weed and feed treatments that have been applied and activated. This will give the herbicide component enough time to go to the weed vegetation or root system and start working. I usually advise mowing the grass first before adding lawn fertilizer. Lessening the grass will make it easier for the fertilizer to directly touch the lawn’s soil and provide nutrients to the roots.