Question
I have a ton of weeds on my lawn, particulary in the backyard.  It looks like a field of violets.  When weed kill and/or fertilizer would you reccommend?  2 in 1?  I have been told that one connected to the hose may be best? Please help me. I can not stand to look at my grass...weeds any longer.

Answer
Weed and feed products can be used as fertilizer w/broadleaf weed control (such as Scott's Turfbuilder Plus2) or you can buy a bottle of "Ortho's Weed-Be-Gon" and spray it on the lawn using the garden hose attachment. Both work equally well. If you use grannular fertilizer then make sure to apply fertilizer w/broadleaf weed control to a wet lawn and let product stay on weeds and grass for minimum 24 hours (also see back of lable).

Do not fertilizer or use weed killers in hot summer temperatures, however. Spring and fall is best. Do not use when daytime temperatures are consistently above 80-85F.

Not all weeds can be killed by the broadleaf weed killers however, and wild violets are one of them. Wild violets must be hand pulled (difficult) or you can eradicate the entire lawn (grass and weeds) and then reseed new grass (a big task, but probably your only chance if 30-50% is the type of weeds which can not be eradicated by broadleaf weed herbicides). The herbicide you need for the tough weeds like wild violet is ROUND-UP which will kill weeds AND grass (avoid using the type for patios and walkways which will permanently poison the soil). However, round-up should be used on calm days to avoid drifting to flowers, vegetables and shrubs.