weedkillers

shelley_crow

Hi Greenfingered board!

I don't normally come on here but my garden needs an overhaul.

The back door to my house is on the side and there is a flat area that was concreted. The concrete is cracking all over and we have terrible problems with weeds. The obvious answer to this is to have this area concreted over again but the catch is that we are renting and landlord won't do it.

Is there any form of weedkillers that are effective on pervasive weeds? I've got a dog, a 7 year old and a toddler and I'm worried using weedkiller because they use the garden too.

Any suggestions welcome :money:

Farway

Have a look at Roundup, or it's generic name

Quite frankly you will have to have some control over the dog & children for at least 24 hours

Yorkie1

Glyphosate is the chemical in most weedkillers these days - roundup is its best known brand name. Glyphosate acts on the leaves of the plant, being absorbed into the plant's system and working its way down to the roots over a couple of weeks.

You can also get it in a brand called pathclear, which contains a second chemical which says it inhibits regrowth for longer than the original time frame (presumably working on the plants which aren't yet big enough to be affected by glyphosate). I intend to use it on my driveway rather than the standard glyphosate.

balustrada

I'll echo Yorkie 1's glyphosate recommendation and add that it's also biodegradable. It ought not to pose any significant risk to pets and children (unless they eat plant leaves at random:)). You just lightly spray the leaves - and that's it. It works by inhibiting the plants' enzyme production and is most effective when the plants are growing. In other words, the faster they're growing the quicker it takes effect.

In my experience the cheapest place to buy "neat" glyphosate is Wilkinsons. I then dilute it in a hand-held, pressurised sprayer.

melanzana

This really works.. And is harmless to everything but the weeds...

Boil a kettle and the minute it boils pour on the weeds. You will see them wilt before your eyes, but will take a day or two to go fully. You might need to pour a few kettles in them, but trust me, it works.

One thing i would NOT recommend is using the boiling water on dandelions or daisies on the lawn. It kills them dead, but leaves a patch. I know, I've been patching up the bare spots with grass seed as we speak.

I know some might be sceptical about this, but try it please, it works, and is safe for wildlife, cats and dogs.

You might need to repeat if the weeds are toughies.

lollipopsarah

Yes it works, but if it's just on concrete why not save some money and get a bag of salt (less than 30p).
The other week I just poured salt liberally over the dandelions outside my door and they all died (took 2 goes) - didn't kill the grass though.
xx

bajangal

lollipopsarah wrote: »

Yes it works, but if it's just on concrete why not save some money and get a bag of salt (less than 30p).
The other week I just poured salt liberally over the dandelions outside my door and they all died (took 2 goes) - didn't kill the grass though.
xx

I second using the salt method, especially in this weather it wll work quicker.

Sambucus_Nigra

balustrada wrote: »

I'll echo Yorkie 1's glyphosate recommendation and add that it's also biodegradable.

Have you any proof whatsoever that it's 'biodegradable'?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradation

This seems to disagree...

http://redgreenandblue.org/2011/06/08/its-official-monsantos-roundup-herbicide-causes-birth-defects/

All weedkillers do over time is breed resistant weeds; as those that survive end up setting seed and hence, the next generation is also resistant.

heirloom

Google Glysophate + Danger = 290.000 links

Here's 3 for your Consideration

Is Monsanto’s Glyphosate Destroying The Earth?

Glyphosate is the Agent Orange of our time

Monsanto’s Roundup Triggers Over 40 Plant Diseases and Endangers Human and Animal Health

Can't post links just paste into google search.


Think I'll stick with salt.

Badrick

Salt's the safest option, mix a strong solution in warm water and pour on weeds, they'll soon soak it up in this weather.

julietaow59

Hi.... I have also used boiling salty water poured directly on weeds. My experience was that it worked well on the smaller less routed ones but the older more mature weeds came bouncing back. I would also say if pouring salty water onto your garden be very careful as it can contaminate the soil and make it toxic to all the plants that you do want to grow..........