I have some dandelions in my lawn and some coarse grassy weeds in my shrub beds that keep coming back after I dig them up. I can’t seem to get all the roots out. Can they be killed with chemicals?
Most of the pesticides I use are organics that are very safe to use. However, there are three weed killers I continue to use that are old-fashioned chemicals. They are very effective on those perennial weeds that are hard to get rid of by digging.
When applied to the leaves of perennial weeds such as dandelions and grasses, they are absorbed and carried by the circulation system down to the roots. They are especially effective this time of year when plants are sending food made by the leaves to the roots for use and storage.
First, this is an excellent time to apply Casoron pre-emergent weed granules around woody plants such as trees, shrubs, roses, blueberries and raspberries. It can also be used in vegetable and annual flower beds after the dead plants are removed. Casoron will keep those cool weather or winter weeds from establishing themselves.
Casoron is also very effective in killing grass in beds and keeping lawn grass from spreading into beds. It kills existing grass and prevents most weed growth for up to a year, as long as the soil is not cultivated or disturbed.
Second, liquid and granular lawn weed killers are selective in killing dandelions and other broad leaf weeds without harming the grass. Granular lawn weed killers are combined with fertilizer in weed and feed products. They are applied with a lawn spreader.
This is also a good time to fertilize your lawn so you accomplish two jobs with one product. Concentrated liquid lawn weed killers are mixed with water and applied with a sprayer. Ready-to-use spray cans are also available when you only have a few weeds.
Lastly, Roundup and similar products which contain glyphosate are not selective. I use a piece of cardboard to shield ornamental plants which are growing close to weeds. If you do happen to hit a leaf or two of an ornamental just remove the affected leaves immediately. Or weed killer can be washed off the missprayed leaves.
