My scabby lawn

There is no one selective weedkiller that does everything equally well.

For example, what I find effective for docks and thistles won't have much effect on creeping buttercup.

Once I discovered that, I stopped wasting my time & money treating them with it.

But it is a learning curve and the EU regs certainly don't help. Take for another example their insane banning of the only product which deals effectively with bracken....and their subsequently being forced to back-pedal.

Living_proof wrote: »

I am sorry you inferred that but what I was meaning was that professional greenkeepers with the relevant certificates probably have access to much stronger chemicals - like the ones we used to routinely use, and which worked.

And I'm sorry if I misinterpreted what you wrote, but the fact remains that there are no stronger chemicals than those which I buy, legally, from sites like the one quoted above.

No doubt Green Thumb and Greensleeves buy in bulk and obtain discounts, but they'll be the same products.

The rules governing the supply of chemicals will change in November of this year when "Grandfather rights" will no longer apply. This will possibly make it harder for unqualified * people like me to obtain the control products we need, but I'm sure it won't be impossible.

Yes, many chemicals have been withdrawn as a result of legislation. Sometimes, they were dangerous or damaging to the environment, so this was a Good Thing. Sometimes it was simply because no supplier was willing or able to put the product through the expensive testing procedures for certification.

However, what remains is, and has been, available to all who have cared enough to find them.

*I have a more extensive qualification than P1 and P6 that I'm obliged to have soon, but all qualifications need renewal, and mine are now out of date.