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Our Service Representatives handle thousands of calls each year. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. As you consider solutions, keep in mind that variations in grass type, weather, and application rates and timing can affect your solution. If you have a unique situation, or just need more information before you decide how to handle a problem, please call us at 1 800 874-8892 or send e-mail to our Consumer Services Department. |
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Several bags of lawn care products I bought got wet in the bag. Are they still good? |
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It depends on what they are and how much moisture they absorbed.
Fertilizer is okay if it can be crumbled into spreadable particles. If dried clumps shatter easily when you tap them with a hammer, the fertilizer is still usable. But don't try to use any fertilizer unless it's dry and pulverized into individual pieces. Large chunks of fertilizer can damage grass, so if you can't spread it, don't use it.
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Can lime and fertilizer be applied on the same day? |
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Yes, as long as you don't apply more than of 50 lbs. of lime per 1,000 square feet. Also, avoid mixing the products to put into your spreader at the same time. Instead, apply them separately.
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How do I know what number to set on my fertilizer spreader? |
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You will find the spreader settings for many of the most common spreaders on the back of bags. If you have any questions, you can call our Consumer Service Hotline for assistance.
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I spread the fertilizer, but my lawn didn't turn green. What happened? |
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There are three likely causes: too little fertilizer, lack of water, or you could have fertilized your grass at the wrong time. To learn more about when to fertilize your particular type of grass, go to Lawns.
To see if you didn't get the right amount of fertilizer on the grass, check the spreader and bag to see if you used the proper setting. Make sure your spreader isn't clogged. Also recheck your math to make sure that you correctly estimated the area of your lawn and that you applied the right amount of fertilizer for the size area. Coverage is given in square feet on the front of the bag.
Fertilizer needs to be watered in by rainwater or water from a sprinkler before it can reach grass roots. If you think your lawn has received less than 1 inch of water since you fertilized it, water it now and see if this corrects the problem. You should see noticeable greening within 3 to 5 days.
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How soon should I water after applying fertilizer? |
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Fertilizer Only: Water immediately after applying fertilizer, or at least within 24 hours. The water begins the fertilizer release process, and it will also help avoid burning by granules that are resting on the leaves. The green timed-release fertilizer will not burn your lawn when used as directed, because it is designed to feed safely and evenly over time. But every mix contains some fast release nitrogen to green up your lawn right away. Water carries this nitrogen to the root zone and greatly reduces possible injury to existing blades of grass.
Weed & Feed: Water your lawn before application to help the product stick to leaves, but don't water again for 24 to 48 hours. The exception to this are products that contain atrazine (for Southern grasses including St. Augustine, Centipede, Zoysia, and Carpetgrass). They are watered immediately after applying.
Crabgrass Preventer: Water in well after applying to help the product soak into the top few inches of soil.
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How soon can I aerate my lawn after applying a Weed & Feed? |
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We recommend that you wait at least 2 weeks. This gives the products ample time to work, and gives your grass a chance to fill in areas where weeds were growing. Also keep in mind that aerating works best when done in the proper season. Aerate your lawn after it shows signs of vigorous new growth.
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How soon can I aerate my lawn after applying Crabgrass Preventer? |
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It is best to aerate the lawn before applying crabgrass preventer containing Dimension®. If you must do so after, which would be the case with warm season lawns, wait at least 4 months after applying Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension®.
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How soon can I sow seed after applying a weed control product? |
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In this case, it is essential to check information on the bag. Because weed killers vary in their ability to linger and prevent seed from coming up, the answer will depend on the product. Always follow the label directions.
Crabgrass Preventer: Do not sow seed within 4 months of applying crabgrass preventer. By fall, which is the best time to sow seed of cool-season grasses anyway, you should get good results from seeding. You can plant sod in areas treated with Crabgrass Preventer after 1 month.
Weed and Feed: Wait at least four weeks after using Weed and Feed containing Trimec® before planting grass seed. Also, you will get better germination if you do not use Weed and Feed for at least four weeks prior to planting seed.
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Can I use Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension in vegetable and herb gardens? |
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Absolutely not. It is only for use on lawn grasses and some ornamentals. Always read the label directions carefully before applying any product.
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I've used Weed and Feed but it didn't work. Why? |
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This is a common complaint because weed-and-feed products need certain conditions to be effective. Here are six reasons why it may not have worked.
1. There was poor contact with weeds. Don't mow immediately before applying. Instead, mow your grass two days before applying Weed and Feed to stimulate growth of weeds. Weed and Feed works best on broadleaf weeds that are actively growing.
2. The weeds are grassy. Weed and Feed kills broadleaf weeds such as dollarweed, dandelion, and plantain. To control crabgrass and other grassy weeds, use Crabgrass Preventer rather than weed and feed.
3. The weeds are large and mature. If weeds are not actively growing, the product can't be as effective. For best results, apply early in the growing season while weeds are young and still actively growing.
4. The weather is too cool or too warm. It's best to use Weed and Feed in spring or fall. Again, that is when weeds are actively growing. When the weather is too cool or too warm, the weeds just sit there, not really growing.
5. The Weed and Feed granules were washed off the foliage by rain or watering within 2 days after applying.
6. The weeds in your lawn are not listed on the label. Although Weed and Feed most broadleaf weeds, there are a few that are immune.
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Are fertilizers harmful to birds or pets? |
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Fertilizers that don't contain herbicides or pesticides shouldn't harm birds or pets. As a rule, it's a good idea to water thoroughly after applying to help wash granules into the soil and off the grass blades.
The situation is different with broadleaf weed killers, which work by sticking to the leaves. They should not be washed off for at least 48 hours after application. During this time, keep pets and children off the treated area.
Label directions on pesticide products generally say to keep anyone, other than the applicator, out of the treated area until the spray has dried or the dust has settled.
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Is fertilizer safe to use around pets and children? |
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Yes, fertilizers can be used around pets and children, but it's essential that they be stored well out of childrens' reach. Also, have your children play elsewhere while you are applying fertilizer. Invite them back when the fertilizer has been watered in and the grass has dried.
Never allow children to handle fertilizer. Fertilizers can be harmful if swallowed. Be sure to read all caution statements and directions on the package before applying.
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I applied too much fertilizer to my lawn. What do I do? |
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The best thing to do is to remove as much fertilizer as possible. If it's soon after application, you can run over the lawn with a mower that has a bag attached. Mowers create a vacuum effect that can pick up some of the excess fertilizer. If your lawn is small, you can also use a wet/dry shop-type vacuum to pick up the extra fertilizer.
If you can't do either of these things, water thoroughly (at least an inch) for 4 consecutive days. There is no guarantee that this will work, but taking these steps may reduce potential damage.
Lawn damage from too much fertilizer or spilled fertilizer is often caused by excessive salts in the soil. After removing as much fertilizer as possible, flushing the area with water to dilute the salts and move them below the root zone is the only way to minimize damage.
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I applied too much Weed and Feed. What do I do? |
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Flush the area with 1 to 2 inches of water daily for 3 to 4 days to minimize potential damage to your lawn. Do not make another herbicide application until next year.
If you applied too much of a product containing atrazine, such as Weed and Feed products intended for use on St. Augustine or Centipede, flush the area with 1 to 2 inches of water daily for 3 to 4 days. As an added precaution, spread 3 to 4 pounds of granular, activated charcoal or liquid activated charcoal over the affected area. Activated charcoal absorbs atrazine.
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