Weedkillers

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Keeping weeds under control in your garden is an ongoing job and by far the most popular and convenient method of control is weedkiller.
 
Looking at the array of weedkillers available can be a bit daunting. There are many different types on the market and, depending on their chemical make-up, each will work differently.
 
A vital point, sometimes overlooked, is the requirement for weedkillers to come into contact with the green growth of the weed for best results. If you are clearing away the weed tops first, you will need to leave some green growth or wait for new growth to appear. The weedkiller enters the plant through the leaves and travels down to the root system, completely destroying the cell structure and therefore killing the plant.
 

Active ingredients in weedkillers lose their strength over time. Resist using old products stored at home as they may not deliver the best results.

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Follow the “How To” guide to weedkillers:
 
Selective
These will only kill the weeds that they have been specifically blended for, as shown or stated on the bottle. These types of herbicides are commonly used on lawns to kill broadleaf weeds like clover, prickle weed and moss without harming the grass.
 
Weedkillers that fall under this group include:
 

• Weed Out For Lawns.
• McGregor’s Moss Control.
• Kiwicare Turf Clean.
• Hydrocotyle Prickle Weedkiller.

 
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Non-selective
These herbicides will damage everything the spray touches, so special care must be taken to prevent spray drift. Check wind conditions and direction before spraying.
 
Weedkillers that fall under this group include:
 

• Weed Out.
• Butlers Gyphosate.
• Round up.
• Amitrole.
• NO Woody Weeds.
• Turfix.
• Weed Strike
• Woody Weedkiller.

 
Knockdown
This weedkiller does just what the name infers – it will very quickly knock down green growth. However, it will leave the roots intact so the weed can grow again.
 
Pre-emergent
This residual weedkiller acts as a barrier that covers the ground once you have removed the weeds and prevents them from growing again. Re-growth is prevented from 9-12 months, depending on the amount of rain. Pre-emergent weed spray is often used over large areas of paving or cobblestones and is also perfect to use before laying weed mat.
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Weedkillers that fall under this group include:
 

• Weed Out for Path and Patio.
• Das.
• Prefix.
• NO Weeds Long Term Weedkiller

Weedkillers can be purchased in different application methods. The smaller, ready-to-use products are great for small gardens and spot applications.

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Safety
Play it safe with the use of all chemicals by wearingprotective clothing, gloves and a respiratory mask when spraying or mixing chemicals.
 
Keep a separate set of mixing and measuring tools for any weed-spraying job and ensure you label them “Poison” so they are not inadvertently used for something else.
 
Always store your chemicals and tools used for chemicals away from children.
 
There is no need to double the manufacturer’s dosage as this is dangerous. If you are not getting the results you want, it is probably more about how and when you are spraying.
 
Mixing different chemicals together is a dangerous practice and should be avoided.                         
 
Tricks of the trade

• Add Spray Fix to increase the efficiency of your weedkiller; it is a wetting agent that gives your spray better coverage by sticking to the leaves.
• Spray funnels are great for concentrating the spray into certain areas and for reducing spray drift onto other plants.
• Spraying in windy conditions is wasteful, ineffective and a health risk to you and the plants you don’t want to kill.
• Make sure that rain is not forecast for at least 5 hours, as rain will reduce the weedkiller’s effectiveness.
• Remove unused chemicals from the spray bottle once you have finished and rinse out the container, tube and nozzle with water.
• Keep separate sprayers for weedkillers, insecticides and fungicides and mark them clearly.