How to Know Which Herbicide You Need

If you have ever applied a herbicide weed killer to weeds only to have the surrounding grass die too, you did not use the correct herbicide.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Before you purchase weed killing herbicide, it is important to know exactly what type of weeds are growing in your lawn. This will enable you to know which kind of weed killer to choose so you do not end up killing your grass. Non-selective herbicides are very powerful. They will kill your weeds, but they will also kill everything else, including your lawn grass. Selective herbicides are better. They will kill those pesky weeds without harming your grass. Depending on the type of weeds you are trying to kill, you will need to purchase either a pre-emergent herbicide or a post-emergent herbicide.

2. Pre-Emergent Herbicides
   Pre-emergent herbicides kill lawn weeds before they have the chance to germinate. Pre-emergents work the best on pesky lawn weeds such as crabgrass. However, timing the application is important. You want to apply the pre-emergent about two weeks prior to the weeds sprouting. Something else you should keep in mind if you use a pre-emergent is that you should not dethatch or aerate your lawn after the application. Doing so will make the chemical ineffective because aerating and dethatching pokes holes in the barrier that the pre-emergent made when it was applied.

3. Keep these things in mind when working with a pre-emergent:
   * Make sure you follow the directions of the chemical and make a proper calculation as to how much chemical you need based on the size of your lawn.
   * After you have applied the chemical you should water the area down with a hose. The water will activate the herbicide.
   * Some grass weeds, especially crabgrass seeds, can germinate and sprout at different times. You may want to apply a second application to be on the safe side.

4. Post-Emergent Herbicides
   If you already have mature weeds in your lawn you need a post-emergent herbicide. This herbicide can be used at any time. Many people will apply a post-emergent to their lawns in the autumn simply as part of their lawn maintenance. The most important thing you should know about post-emergent herbicides is that you should apply them when there is no wind and when your lawn is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Whenever you are working with any kind of chemicals, including herbicides, you should keep yourself safe. Wear protective gloves and goggles, long pants and a long sleeved shirt. As always, keep children and pets away from the area while you are working.

[ellymae]

on 7/6/2008 BOYCOTT HERBICIDES AND INSECTICIDES. Bees are dying at an alarming rate and honey bees are scedualled for extinction in the next 30 years. Honey Bees polinate 3/4 of all the food on the planet. WAKE UP GARDENER!