The argument for and against Atrazine

If you listened to much of the GardenLine program Saturday February 16th, boy did we get in to it about the Weed & Feed issue. I certainly don’t believe in extremism either way (All Organic vs. All Inorganic), but if I don’t start seeing some recognition on what I’m trying to accomplish, I’m retiring from this job a lot earlier than I had wanted, because apparently I’m not getting through to you. To my friend Jesse: If this email doesn’t work, then I need to know if that Chick-Fil-A opportunity still exists???

First, if I confused you even more with the “Early Green Up” email I apologize… I was just trying to give you every possible scenario in weed and fertilizer application at this time of the year. And from the “Better be careful what you say department,” I think I really messed up other people’s minds when I joked about “If you can’t beat ‘em… Join ‘em” on the weekend of the 16th. So, I’m going to see if I can set the record straight with a brief synopsis about this Weed & Feed dilemma that I have experienced for years.

Here it is in a nutshell - I don’t like Weed & Feeds. I’m a firm believer that if you use the Pre-Emergent Herbicides correctly, you never have any need for a Weed & Feed. The best W&F combinations use a chemical called Atrazine - very effective on weeds but caustic to the feeder roots of trees and shrubs and even more dangerous to our groundwater supplies. However, if you simply are overwhelmed with weeds in your turf, there truly is no better way to eliminate them. So, if you fall into that category at least use a W&F from one of my sponsors.

That’s not talking out of both sides of my mouth. It’s trying to help my Fertilizer Sponsors, because they all have their own Atrazine based W&F. All they ask is that if you’re going to buy a W&F, they want some of that business. So, here’s what you’re looking for:

• Nitro Phos 15-5-10 w/ Atrazine
• Fertilome 20-5-5 Weed & Feed for St. Augustine w/ Atrazine
• Easy Gro 22-4-5 For St. Augustine w/ Atrazine
  
  But remember the pledge I made you take if you were going to use a W&F?… It’s back at the archives, and I strongly recommend you read it and take it before you put down granule one.
  
  Click HERE
  
  Again, if you follow the fertilizer schedule to a T you won’t have a problem that requires the use of a Weed & Feed. And for some further research of your own, check out these websites to see why I don’t like the idea of Atrazine. And finally, read the back of a bag of Atrazine-based W&F - it’s enlightening.
• http://www.texascenter.org/txpin/atrazine.html
• http://infoventures.com/e-hlth/pestcide/atrazine.html