Lawn Killed by Centipede Weed-and-Feed on Fescue: Atrazine Damage

Applying centipedegrass weed-and-feed (containing atrazine) to a fescue lawn kills the fescue—because fescue is a weed in a centipede lawn. Atrazine persists in soil for months, preventing fescue seed germination.

Remediation Options

• Wait 6 months before seeding (per turf experts).
• Try seeding anyway—heavy rains may have diluted the herbicide.
• Lay fescue sod in dead areas; established sod may tolerate residual atrazine better than seed.

Lesson

Always read the label. Most weed-and-feeds are safe on fescue, but centipede formulations are not.