DIYbanter - View Single Post - Catch-22 with Drop spreader and Scott's weed & feed

Bob F

wrote:
On Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 11:34:31 PM UTC-5, blueman wrote:
First, I use a drop spreader rather than a rotary spreader since I
don't want the herbicide to hit the plantings bordering the yard.

So here is my paradox.
The Scott's weed & feed says to wet the lawn before using (presumably
so the herbicide granules can stick to the weeds better). However,
when I wet the lawn, some wet grass inevitably ends up running
against the drop-feeder slit which causes the fertilizer to cake-up
and clog the slots.

In summary:
1. If I don't wet the lawn first, then it spreads but it doesn't
stick to the weeds, so the herbicide doesn't work
2. If I wet first, then the drop spreader slits clog and I get
neither fertilizer nor herbicide action (or I end up opening the
slits wider by some random amount and get a random, uneven
coverage)

So, what am I doing wrong and what should I be doing?

Your problem is exactly my problem-iam a Master Gardener!! Can't
believe the hateful comments! i am going to try to use cardboard and
cable ties to make a shroud for the broad cast spreader.

Or, you could just use an herbicide free fertilizer, and a hand sprayer to just
treat the weeds with weed-b-gon, and not broadcast poisen over every inch of the
lawn. Or, punch some holes in a jar lid, tape a 2 foot dowel to the jar to
extend past the bottom as a handle, fill the jar with weed and feed, and walk
around the lawn using the jar as a pepper shaker to shake a little W&F on the
weeds. A bag of W&F will last you for years.