Broadleaf Weed Control Tips
We did everything by the book. Proper mowing, watering and applied pre-emergent in the fall. But now you notice green growth, weeds. They’re not everywhere but in scattered clusters. The first thought is that the pre-emergent didn’t work. On the contrary, it did work. If it didn’t the whole lawn would be full of some type of green vegetation. Since these plants are growing we will control them with the post-emergent process.
The first thing you need to do is determine if the plants are a grass or a broadleaf. A rough guide is that if looks like a grass, it is. But since the title of this is about broadleaf plants this is what we’ll focus on.
There are several all-natural post-emergent products to kill these plants. The first all-natural product is a shovel. I know that might sound flippant but if you only have a hand full, dig them out. Then there is 20% acidity vinegar. This is not the vinegar that we pour on the corn beef and cabbage. Use it full strength when plants are young and actively growing. A surfactant (sticker) is recommended. I try to steer folks away from using dish soap as a surfactant. Use either a commercial “spreader sticker” or liquid molasses. Some will also add an ounce or two of orange oil per gallon. The most common application method is a sprayer. Vinegar will cause damage to sprayer seals. By washing it out with warm soapy water when you are done will help keep the sprayer working. Please read and follow the direction. They will state “use above 65 degrees F” but I have had good luck below that number. Wells Brothers have 20% vinegar in a gallon and 2.5-gallon container that sells for $16.50 and $40.00 respectively.
There are several on the synthetic side for broadleaf weed control but one product stands above the rest. That is Fertilome’s “Weed Free Zone”. This selective broadleaf herbicide works very well from 45 to 90 degrees F. It’s safe for the majority of grass that we have in the metroplex and is labeled for a wide variety of broadleaf weeds. Weed Free Zone is a concentrate and does not need a surfactant. Wells Brothers carries it in a pint that sells for $21.35 and quart for $38.50.
