About Lawn Weed Killers
Spot treat for a better lawn
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Scotts Verdone Extra Weed Killer - Concentrate
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Vitax Lawn Clear Weed Killer – Concentrate
*The above Lawn Weed Control Products are available in the Lawnsmith Shop and discussed below:
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Weedkillers are herbicides; a type of pesticide used to kill plants. Insecticides and fungicides are also pesticides. When using pesticides always read the label and use them safely.
Weed killers for use on lawns are selective. In other words they kill most plants that aren’t grass if used correctly! If they are used incorrectly, for example by being too dilute they won’t kill the weeds. If they are over applied they may start to affect the grass.
‘As much as necessary and as little as needed’
The instructions for your weed killer may state a maximum of one or two applications a year. Presumably this is to safe guard the grass and NOT the weeds! The logic, therefore, is that the side effects of the lawn weed killer above a certain level may damage or even kill the grass. Of our recommended weed killers Verdone* suggests only one treatment per year and Vitax Lawn Clear* says two treatments if using two different chemicals. This only applies to weed killer for the coverage of the whole lawn not 'ready to use' weed killers for spot treating weeds.
If the above is true then combined ‘weed and feed’ lawn products used excessively may be detrimental to grass health. Perhaps no damage is observed but overall health and vigour may be reduced. Therefore, with your good intensions to maintain a healthy lawn you may be introducing some detrimental side effects particularly if you 'add a little extra' to get a greener lawn!
If you are ill you may take a pill to cure the problem – ‘three times a day with food’. You don’t take pills if you are not ill as most drugs have some kind of side effect. You shouldn’t treat your lawn any differently!
Finally, if you’ve ever tried to spread a powdery ‘weed and feed’ product you know how easy it is to put too little on in some areas and not kill the weeds or put too much on and kill the grass!
What can be worse therefore, than applying a ‘weed and feed’ product and still having a lawn full of weeds!
As you will come to see selective lawn weed killer in liquid form.....
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is easy to apply accurately with knapsack sprayer* or watering can with weed killer sprinkle bar*
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has less risk to the grass
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is more effective because they have better contact with the weed plant
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don’t require watering in
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is safer because you apply only when you need to kill lawn weeds, not every time you feed the grass
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allows a choice of ‘active weed killing chemicals’. Not all weeds are killed by the same weedkiller so two different ones may be required
- doesn't stain hard surfaces
- means children and pets can use the lawn once the treatment is dry - often less than an hour in warm weather
Weed killers for amateur use have a high safety factor. The manufacturer understands you don’t have professionally calibrated equipment and therefore can’t measure to the millilitre. However, you need to be equally responsible and ensure safe and careful use not only for yourself and the environment but also to ensure success for your effort.
When applying to the lawn it is important to:
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Follow the instructions for the weed killer on the container
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Know the area of lawn to be treated if treating the whole lawn
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Not give an ‘extra squirt for luck’ if spot treating individual weed plants
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Use the Lawnsmith guidelines for easy application
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Take appropriate safety precautions; see Weed Killer Health & Safety
