Maintaining a lush, green lawn can feel like a constant battle against weeds and the elements. Fortunately, the Scotts® 4-Step® Lawn Care Program offers a straightforward approach to achieving a healthy and vibrant yard throughout the year. Step 2 of this program, Weed Control Plus Lawn Food, plays a crucial role in late spring, targeting unwanted weeds while nourishing your grass for thicker, greener growth. Let’s delve into what Step 2 is all about and how to effectively use it.
Understanding Scotts Step 2: Weed Control Plus Lawn Food
Scotts Step 2, officially known as Weed Control Plus Lawn Food, is specifically formulated for application in late spring. It serves a dual purpose: eliminating existing broadleaf weeds and providing essential nutrients to your lawn. This step is vital for tackling weeds that have emerged as temperatures warm up, ensuring they don’t overtake your healthy grass.
What Does Scotts Step 2 Do?
Step 2 is designed to be applied between April and June, typically 4-6 weeks after applying Step 1 (Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food). Here’s a breakdown of its key functions:
- Kills Broadleaf Weeds: Step 2 is formulated to effectively control many common broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions, clover, and plantain. It targets these weeds at their actively growing stage in late spring, preventing them from spreading and competing with your grass.
- Provides Lawn Food: Beyond weed control, Step 2 also delivers essential nutrients to your lawn. This lawn food component promotes healthy, green growth, helping your grass become thicker and more resilient. This feeding action strengthens the turf from the roots up, creating a robust and vibrant lawn.
Key Benefits of Using Step 2
Incorporating Step 2 into your lawn care routine offers several advantages:
- Effective Weed Control: By targeting broadleaf weeds in late spring, Step 2 helps to keep your lawn looking clean and weed-free. This proactive approach prevents weed infestations from becoming overwhelming later in the season.
- Lawn Nourishment: The lawn food component in Step 2 ensures your grass receives the nutrients it needs during the active growing season. This feeding promotes vigorous growth, resulting in a thicker, greener, and healthier lawn overall.
- Improved Lawn Appearance: By eliminating weeds and promoting healthy grass growth, Step 2 contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic appeal of your lawn. A weed-free, lush green lawn enhances your home’s curb appeal and provides a beautiful outdoor space.
- Strengthened Turf: The nutrients in Step 2 help to strengthen your lawn’s root system. A strong root system is crucial for drought tolerance, disease resistance, and overall lawn health, making your lawn more resilient to environmental stresses.
When to Apply Scotts Step 2
Timing is crucial for the effectiveness of Step 2. The ideal application window is late spring, specifically April to June. Aim to apply Step 2 approximately 4-6 weeks after your Step 1 application. A helpful guideline is to apply Step 2 around Memorial Day.
Alt text: Applying Scotts Step 2 Weed Control Plus Lawn Food to a green lawn with a Scotts spreader, illustrating late spring lawn care.
Applying Step 2 during this late spring period ensures that you target weeds when they are actively growing and most susceptible to herbicides. It also provides your lawn with a timely nutrient boost as it enters the summer months.
How to Apply Scotts Step 2 Effectively
To maximize the benefits of Scotts Step 2, follow these application guidelines:
- Choose a Calm Day: Apply Step 2 on a day when the wind is calm to prevent the product from drifting onto unintended areas, such as flowerbeds or vegetable gardens.
- Apply to Damp Lawn: For optimal weed control, apply Step 2 to a damp lawn. This helps the weed-killing granules adhere to weed leaves, enhancing their effectiveness. You can water your lawn lightly before application if necessary.
- Check the Weather Forecast: Ensure that rain is not expected for at least 24 hours after application. This allows the weed control components to properly absorb into the weeds and the lawn food to settle into the soil without being washed away.
- Use a Spreader: Apply Step 2 using a Scotts spreader to ensure even and consistent coverage across your lawn. Follow the spreader settings recommended on the product bag to avoid over or under-application.
- Overlap Slightly: When using a spreader, slightly overlap application paths to prevent striping and ensure uniform coverage.
- Water if No Rain: If rain is not anticipated, lightly water your lawn after 24 hours to help move the lawn food into the soil and activate the fertilizer.
By understanding what Scotts Step 2 Weed Control Plus Lawn Food is and following these application tips, you can effectively tackle broadleaf weeds and nourish your lawn in late spring, setting the stage for a beautiful and healthy lawn throughout the summer and beyond. Step 2 is a critical component of the Scotts 4-Step program, contributing significantly to achieving a weed-free and vibrant lawn.
