Weed'n'Feed FAQ

Is it safe to use Yates Weed’n’Feed on ALL lawns?

Yates Weed ‘n’ Feed is safe on most common NZ lawns. It’s ideal for Fescue species, Brown Top and Perennial Rye grass species.

Weed’n’Feed hose-on is not safe to use on grass less than 3 months old, or on Dichondra, Kikuyu or Couch lawns.

Kikuyu is quite sensitive to selective weedkillers and there is a risk of harming it alongside the weeds. The risk is lessened during winter while kikuyu is in its dormant phase, but much higher during hot weather or periods of drought.

Does Yates Weed’n’Feed contain fertiliser?

Yes, Yates Weed’n’Feed hose-on does contain nutrients: nitrogen and iron, which both encourage healthy green lawn growth.

Yates Weed 'n' Feed Granular contains the nutrients nitrogen, iron and sulphur.

Yates also offer specific lawn fertilisers for long-term controlled release feeding of your lawn, in liquid concentrate, granular and hose-on formats.

How Much Yates Weed’n’Feed Do I Need to Apply?

This will vary from lawn to lawn. How much you need to apply is based on the size of your lawn.

Step 1 - Measure the Size of the Lawn

The best way of measuring your lawn is using a measuring tape, or simply step it out (you can also use a satellite view such as Google Earth). Length x Width = Square Area. For example: 5m x 10m = 50m2.

Step 2 - Calculate the Amount of Product Required

Yates Weed’n’Feed packs will indicate how many square metres of lawn the product should be applied over. For best results it’s very important to apply the correct amount of product over the measured area of lawn.

Here are the rates of application per area:

Yates Weed'n'Feed Granular

Apply 1 kg over 15 square metres.

For best results, moisten the lawn area before application. Lightly wet the leaves, ideally using a spray gun on mist or a gentle shower - moistening the leaves will help the product stick better. After application the lawn will turn black for a few days but will recover to its normal state.

After the recommended 48 hours, vigorously water the product into the soil until there are no visible signs of the product and the soil is saturated. This will wash the product off the lawn leaves and move the product into the soil.

Yates Weed'n'Feed Hose-On

Apply 1L to 65 square metres

Apply 2L to 130 square metres

Apply 2.4L to 156 square metres

Apply 3L to 195 square metres 

Apply 4L to 260 square metres

How Often Can I Apply Yates Weed'n'Feed?

Yates Weed'n'Feed Hose-On

Reapply every 3 weeks if necessary.

Yates Weed'n'Feed Granular

Reapply every 6 weeks if necessary.

When is the Best Time to Apply Yates Weed 'n' Feed?

Apply Yates Weed 'n' Feed products at the earliest sign of a weed infestation - light infestations are quicker and easier to control and require less frequent reapplications.

Apply Yates Weed 'n' Feed products well before weeds have flowered and set seed.

Both the Yates Weed 'n' Feed Hose-On and Granular* products can be applied at any time of year.

*Avoid applying Yates Weed 'n' Feed Granular during the dormant stage when the lawn isn't growing, as the lawn will recover faster during the active growth stage.

You can aerate or core your lawn just before applying Yates Weed 'n' Feed.

What is the Dilution Rate for Yates Weed'n'Feed Hose-On in a Watering Can or Sprayer?

The dilution rate is 30mL of Weed’n’Feed per 1L of water, applied to 2 square metres.

I have a small lawn: the 2L Yates Weed’n’Feed hose-on covers 130m2 and it’s too big for my lawn, is there a smaller pack?

Yes, for smaller urban-sized lawns, check out Yates Weed n Feed Concentrate 1L. It’s specifically designed for smaller lawn areas and applied using a watering can or garden sprayer.

I have a large lawn, is Yates Weed’n’Feed the best option?

Yates Weed’n’Feed hose-on is very easy and convenient to apply, but it’s best for medium sized lawns. If you have a very large lawn, use one of Yates’ concentrated lawn weedkillers, dilute it according to instructions and apply it using a sprayer or Lawn Boy.

Alternatively, if you don’t have many weeds, use a convenient ‘carry it around with you’ lawn weedkiller, like Yates Turfix Gun, as a spot spray on individual weeds.

Can I mow my lawn before or after application of Yates Weed’n’Feed?

We recommend you don’t mow your lawn for 7 days before or after applying Yates Weed’n’Feed.

Can I spray Weed’n’Feed if rain is expected?

We don’t recommend applying Yates Weed 'n' Feed Hose-On within 24 hours of expected rain, otherwise, the product may wash and away and have no effect. Don’t water the lawn until the product has dried and wait for at least 24 hours after application.

For Yates Weed 'n' Feed Granular, we don’t recommend applying it within 48 hours of expected rain, or the product may wash away and have no effect.

Can I apply if my lawn is under stress?

No. Applying any product to a lawn under stress can cause damage to it. Lawn stress can occur in several ways. Usually, stress is due to a lack of water, or soils that aren’t absorbing enough water.

If you live in an area where it’s been dry, or you haven’t watered the lawn regularly, it’s best to wait until you have a visibly green lawn and active growth (when you’ll see plenty of clippings in the catcher after mowing). For further details, contact our team of friendly Horticulturists for expert advice.

Will Yates Weed’n’Feed kill my lawn?

Yates Weed’n’Feed combines two herbicides that selectively target broadleaf weeds. The product won’t harm your lawn if the directions for use are followed (for example, applying the product over the correct area, plus ensuring the lawn isn’t moisture stressed).

It’s important to check the variety of lawn grass that you have and make certain that it’s suitable for use on that variety. If unsure, contact one of our Horticulturists for expert advice.

What if I get Yates Weed’n’Feed on my garden plants?

It’s important not to allow the spray to contact wanted garden plants. Tip; spray Weed’n’Feed from the outside of the lawn in towards the centre, NOT from the inside facing out. If the spray accidentally gets onto garden plants, immediately wash off with a hose to help reduce potential damage. Spraying on a day with light wind helps to reduce this risk. We recommend spraying only when wind speed is 10 km/h or less. That's a little over 5 knots of wind. If you download the NZ MetService app, it’ll give you local wind speed in km/h, along with lots of other useful weather info.

If you think it's going to be difficult to get the right conditions, you can dilute the product into water and apply through a watering can or Lawn Boy, using a dilution rate of 30mL of Weed’n’Feed per 1L of water, applied to 2 square metres.

Is Yates Weed’n’Feed safe to use around pets and children?

It’s best to keep pets and children off the area until the spray has dried. Applying on a day when weather conditions favour drying can reduce the time your lawn is out-of-bounds.

DO NOT feed treated grass clippings to poultry, livestock, or use treated clippings to mulch plants.

Ruminants or horses shouldn’t be grazed on treated grass for a 5-6 week period after application.

Can I add Weed’n’Feed grass clippings to my compost?

Treated grass and lawn soil can contain diminishing residual traces of Weed'n'Feed, with the rate of degradation depending on the aerobic capacity of the soil. For NZ conditions, we conservatively calculate this period to take 5-6 weeks after application. During the 5-6 week period, the active ingredient residue is broken down by natural microbial activity.

We recommend you don’t add treated grass clippings to compost for 5-6 weeks after application. After that period, you can resume composting the clippings. If your mower has a mulch setting, we'd recommend using it during the waiting period after application, so you don’t need to dispose of treated clippings.

Are Yates Weed’n’Feed hose-ons the only solution for my lawn?

Not always! That’s why Yates have a range of lawn weed control options. Depending on your weed types, number of weeds and lawn health it may be best to select one of our other options. You can contact our friendly team of Horticulturists for expert advice.

I don’t like to spray, can I use a granular product?

You sure can, we also have Yates Weed’n’Feed granular. It’s applied by hand and works by burning the leaves of the broadleaf weeds.

The bag label provides instructions on how and how much to apply. The granular product is left on the leaf for 3 days while it’s burning the weeds. The product can be a hazard for pet paws and kids’ feet during this time, so Yates recommends using the hose-on versions if you have kids and pets.

Does Yates Weed 'n' Feed Granular Stain?

Yes, staining can occur – don’t allow the product to spill or blow onto hard or non-lawn surfaces. Dry sweep immediately if you have a spill. Ensure the product doesn’t wash off the lawn onto concrete or paths in heavy rain.

Does Yates Weed’n’Feed really work?

Yes, we are required to provide proof to the Regulatory authorities for everything we claim on the label. All pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are regulated by the New Zealand EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) or ACVM (Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines). During the product registration process, companies must prove their products are effective by providing extensive trial data.

Troubleshooting

My Yates Weed’n’Feed hose-on isn’t sucking up?

There can be a huge variance in water pressures throughout New Zealand. Some people will require their tap to be fully open, while others only halfway. You may need to experiment with the tap to find the sweet spot where the hose-on applicator works properly.

If your product isn’t sucking up at all, check that the dip tube is still firmly attached to the inside of the cap. The cap will first need to be removed. To remove the cap, grab the bottle by the handle and with the other hand grab on to the applicator's hose attachment and lever it away from yourself. Please make sure you are wearing Personal Protective Equipment - such as goggles and plastic gloves - when handling the product.

Sometimes an air bubble in the internal dip tube can prevent the product sucking up. To remedy this, while the flip-up on the front of the applicator is open and the hose is firmly clicked on, grab the product by the handle, turn on the water at the tap, then tilt the bottle sideways 45 degrees. Allow the water to flow through the applicator for 30 seconds.

If you do have continued issues our team are available to assist with troubleshooting. Please contact one of our Horticulturists for expert advice.
 

I can’t see my weeds dying. Should I reapply?

Weeds will die slowly; it may take up to 3 weeks before visible effects appear. Over-applying can damage the turf. If you’ve applied at the correct rate, you’ll need to patiently wait and monitor the results. If you still believe it hasn’t worked properly, contact our Horticulturists at yates.co.nz/contact-us. They’ll be able to assist you with troubleshooting.