Clearing ground of weeds

Leif

mardatha wrote: »

So you spray this stuff onto the leaves and then leave it? And it travels down to the root and kills it?

As others have said, yes. In the case of bindweed it is worth getting some drinks bottles, with a narrow top, putting some glyphosate in, feeding a long length of bindweed into the bottle after bruising the leaves, then place the bottom in a hole in the ground so it is stable. As also said, rain will wash it off leaves, so spray again if it does rain before 2-3 weeks have passed.

If you buy a sprayer, make sure you label it, or buy a red one, red meaning toxic, so you don't later use it for plant feed. Oops.

mardatha

Am so glad I asked - that sounds perfect, thanks all xx

Sassia

Leif wrote: »

If you buy a sprayer, make sure you label it, or buy a red one, red meaning toxic, so you don't later use it for plant feed. Oops.

I bought one of the weedkillers already in a pump sprayer so I didn't have to but I also bought a red watering can for exactly that reason!

gibson123

Very good thread, I will try this tomorrow if the rain stays off.

Once I have sprayed the weeds, can I put down thick polythene and cover with bark chips once they die back a bit?

Sassia

As long as you can't see through the polythene. You need to starve the weeds of light as well.

wellused

Just visited my local Wyevale garden centre and noticed that the Roundup has been reduced by £4 or so.

Leif

Rosate 36 on ebay is probably the cheapest glyphosate per gram.

Rotor

I've a big veg plot and the weeds kept getting away from me so last few years I've been laying opened cardboard boxes down , and on the whole I'm pleased with the results.

I seed tray sow all brassicas ( cabbage, brocoli etc) and beans , lettuce etc and plant through the cardboard.

Cons are it needs something to hold it down ( grass clipping at a push, wood chips best),and it gives slugs a place to hide.

Pros - it works, with even surprisingly tough weeds like nettles, and the few that do find a place to come through are easily removed

ScratchandSniff-->[X]

Cheapest glyphosate (Clinic Ace) is from agricultural suppliers but you need to be very careful with it as it's very concentrated.

Cheap backpack sprayers from Screwfix but you need to spend time making sure the seals etc work - it's not the sort of stuff you want leaking down your back.

breadlinebetty

Leif wrote: »

Rosate 36 on ebay is probably the cheapest glyphosate per gram.

Is glyphosate THE weedkiller to buy or can you use any one?