once-fertilized grass?

[webjetter]

Hi guys ... our yard was fertilized with Weed & Feed one month ago. Is it too soon to start feeding the piggies grass again? If so, how long should I wait? We've gotten lots of soaking rainstorms so I think it's all washed away by now but I want to double check. Thanks!

[webjetter]

Does anyone know the answer to my original question about this last week? I'm really curious what I should do. Thanks

[Percy's Mom]

Does it say on the package how long that fertilizer feeds the grass? Truthfully, I wouldn't feed your pigs any of that grass this season at all.

[weta!]

I would be much more concerned about the "weeding" than the "feeding". There won't be any remains of the fertiliser on leaves after a month, particularly after you've had rain. There will be fertiliser in the soil, but the grass will be transforming the nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and iron into lovely healthy and very tasty green leaves.

Does it say how long the herbicide stays active in the soil? I'm reluctant to estimate how long it would be until it's safe. But, at the barest minimum, I'd wait until all the broadleaf plants had died and the grass had been mowed several times . . . and then I would double the time just to be sure. You could try emailing the manufacturer and asking them how long you should wait before the grass is safe for animal consumption . . . and let us know!

[webjetter]

Oh wow, I don't know why I didn't think to look on the bag. I figured I would have to go to the store to look at it because I thought my hubby used it all on the lawn but he told me he only used part of it. So I called the phone number on the Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed and first asked how long it feeds the yard and they said 6-8 weeks. When I explained why I was asking, the customer service rep didn't say anything.

So then I called back later to ask how long the weed killer is active and got a really helpful guy who said he used to have guinea pigs himself. The ingredient to be concerned about is ATRAZINE and it has a half life of 12 days. It's still found in the soil 30-40 days after application with normal rainfall. After 60 days it is no longer detectable in the soil. However, he checked on what's called "grazer animals re-entry" and said if you're going to turn a grazer animal loose on the grass you should wait one year! They actually don't do animal testing so the 1 year is probably just to cover their butts legally. He said I should check with my vet to be sure what's safe. That's my next step because I'm still confused about what to do. I don't turn the piggies loose on the lawn (so they're not nibbling at ground level and pulling up roots and soil like a horse, cow, etc. would do while grazing in a pasture) ... I've always just cut the blades of grass with scissors. I hope to get a vet answer tomorrow, but I'm interested in what you guys think too.

[wiggley_narco]

If you have any doubt at all, it would be unacceptable to risk your piggies' health. Just don't feed it to them. With varying opinions, who knows? You could jeopardize them based on a mis-informed vet. There are plenty of fresh veggies you can feed them; maybe you could even grow some grass in a flower pot for them.

[weta!]

Thanks for sharing the information. I too would err on the side of caution - although I totally agree that the 1-year restriction is excessive and probably there to cover some corporate butts!

In future, just use a fertiliser in the warmer months and make sure it's very well watered in before adding pigs. I do this over summer, and pull out any weeds by hand. I'm planning to apply a broad-leaf herbicide in late autumn, so by the time it's warm and dry enough to put piggies out again, there won't be any traces left.

[webjetter]

I've got a call in to the vet, they haven't yet called me back. I would feel much better growing special grass for them, that's a good idea. Has anyone had any success growing enough potted grass to feed 2 gluttonous piggies every day? What kind of planter would be large enough? Should I buy sod squares or grow grass from seeds? Is any particular type of grass preferable? I can grow it outside because in Florida the weather is nice from March to December. Any ideas would be appreciated. My girls go NUTS over grass and it's great for them. Thanks!

[webjetter]

The vet's office called me back and they had done research and spoke with a Product Specialist at the manufacturing company and were told the grass would be safe to eat in 5-6 weeks. The customer service rep I had spoken with at the number on the bag had told me it's still in the soil during that time period but isn't detectable in soil after 60 days (8 weeks). The vet said the Product Specialist told them that after it's watered in and it rains I can put the piggies on the grass to eat it (which is just a few days after application). No way. Totally conflicting information! Ug.

I am going to err on the side of caution and forget about using grass from the lawn indefinitely. I thought about getting some new sod to plant in an area of our yard that is currently dirt and never fertilize or use spray on it so it can be dedicated to the piggers BUT then I realized I'd have no way of knowing if the sod had been sprayed at the sod farm. So instead I'll do research on this forum to find out how to grow special grass from seed just for them.

Thanks everyone for your input, it helped me go in the right direction.