On 20 Aug 2003 21:14:55 -0700, wrote:

we have a new home in Michigan, put down about 2" of topsoil over a
mostly clay base. We seeded the front about 3 months ago, and it is
growing slow but OK(no weeds). However, we planted the back about 7
weeks ago, the weeds are now really bad. I think the weed plants from
the neighborhood wend to seed and the weed seeds blew(floated) to the
back and implanted themselves in our back yard before the grass took.
Now I have about 80% grass / 20% weeds in our back yard. the grass is
still quite fine(small bladed). My question is: can I put down
chemicals(weed and feed) to kill the weeds? I am concerned about
killing the newly planted grass. We have about .75 acres in the back
and I DONT want to kill it all and re-seed HELP

Thanks,

Dean Mathews


Weed killers on new grass is a very harsh treatment. Weeds won't grow
well in a thick lawn, and that's what you need to strive to get.
What I'd recommend is mow short, put down more grass seed with starter
fertilizer now, then wait to spot treat the weeds next spring. The
young grass will be establishing their root system during the winter
months. Buy a good broadcast spreader (~$40) with a decent size bin
and putting down seed, fertilizer and other products will be quick and
easy. Please, avoid the weed-and-feed stuff.