Using a Seed Killer to Get Rid of Weeds

Using a Seed Killer to Get Rid of Weeds

Even in the best-managed garden, lawn or landscape, weeds are inevitable.seed killer And sometimes, getting rid of them means using a seed killer. The best approach is to prevent them, but when that’s not possible or desirable, the right weed killer can do the trick.

A chemical weed killer, also called an herbicide, controls or eliminates unwanted plants by interfering with their growth.seed killer They play a crucial role in agriculture, gardening and landscaping, helping to manage plant competition with desired crop and garden growth. While many people are wary of chemical weed killers, there is little doubt that they are effective when used correctly.

The most common and well-known weed killer is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), known to many gardeners as 2,4-D.seed killer Developed by Dow Chemical in the 1940s, this compound helped usher in the era of clean, green lawns, ridding backyards nationwide of such aesthetic undesirables as dandelions and clover. Unfortunately, there’s a darker side to 2,4-D—a growing body of scientific research indicates that it poses health risks, especially for children and pets.

Most weed killers are post-emergent, meaning they kill weeds that have already sprouted.seed killer Some, like Preen Crabgrass Control, are pre-emergent and are intended to be applied in spring or fall to prevent weed seeds from sprouting in the first place. Others, such as Roundup, are a type of post-emergent and kill any weed that has already sprouted.

When applying a post-emergent weed killer, it is important to follow the instructions on the label. Some herbicides, such as Roundup, can damage desirable plants if it is applied too heavily or to the wrong plant. Also, it is critical to apply the herbicide in a way that will not run off or be washed away.

If you’re looking for an alternative to chemical weed killers, try concocting your own homemade spray. Vinegar, containing the natural ingredient acetic acid, is effective as a contact herbicide. The vinegar breaks down the weed’s cell walls and removes moisture, causing it to die. Just be sure to use the product on a dry lawn and not to get it on any other plants. Also, be sure to wait a day or two before letting kids and pets back out onto the grass afterward so that it has time to dry.

Other non-selective, postemergence herbicides that can be used in landscape plantings include bentazon (Basagran TO), halosulfuron (Sedgehammer) and sulfentrazone (Dismiss). These products control yellow nutsedge and annual sedges and are safe to use in most types of established lawns. However, they are not effective in controlling purple nutsedge or creeping charlie and may require multiple applications at 10 to 14 day intervals to achieve acceptable control.