By Curtis Utley, Jefferson County Extension
With the fantastic moisture we have received along the Front
Range this spring homeowners are seeing weed growth exploding and with cool
temperatures many, myself included, have not been puttsing around in the yard pulling
the wayward weeds as frequently as in years past. If you are considering
tackling your over-gown weeds with chemical herbicides be aware of a few
possible pitfalls and read the entire label before purchasing an herbicide and
making an application. Label information is provided to consumers to protect
you, your yard and the environment. There are selective herbicides that will
kill broadleaf weeds growing in your lawn without killing your grass. There are
also selective herbicides that can kill the grass growing in your flower or
perennial beds without killing your flowers. There are also non-selective
herbicides that will kill anything green, and lastly, preemergent herbicides
prevent seedling establishment.
Phenoxy herbicide damage to a perennial bed due to over-spray |
The most commonly available weed killers sold to consumers
are the phenoxy herbicides. Common
phenoxy herbicides include: 2,4-D, Dicamba, mecoprop-p (MCPP), and MCPA.
Phenoxy herbicides are selective herbicides that kill broad-leafed dicotyledonous
plants and do not harm grasses and other monocots. Phenoxy herbicides are auxin
mimics and cause hormonal changes leading to rapid uncontrolled growth leading
to the death of susceptible plants. The herbicide targets the growing points
where cell division is rapid. The symptoms of phenoxy herbicide damage include,
twisting, curling and rolling of leaf and stem tissues. A few weed control products containing the
auxin mimics are sold as hose-end
products or are permitted to be applied in an aftermarket hose-end sprayer.
While this application method is simple and fast I strongly caution against
applying herbicides through such a device due to the potential for overspray. Hose-end
sprayers can produce variable droplet sizes which can allow for particle drift
resulting in unintended consequences. The other potential issue with hose-end
sprayer applications is 2,4-D volatilization. If you apply a broadcast
application of 2,4-D on a day when temperatures climb above 85 degrees F. the herbicide
can become a gas and float on air currents damaging trees and shrubs.
Phenoxy herbicide injury to green ash due to 2,4-D volatilization |
Phenoxy herbicide injury to red oak due to 2,4-D volatilization |
Herbicide applications are best accomplished by spot
spraying individual weeds with a pump up sprayer. You will use less product,
saving money, and can safely direct the application to weed leaves. Spot
spraying and adjusting your spray nozzle to produce a course spray pattern greatly
reduces the risk of over-spray, herbicide drift and volatilization.
Dandelion dying after a spot spray application of 2,4-D |
There are numerous approaches to manage and dispose of weeds. On the off chance that they are inside a sensible point of confinement, they can be physically hauled out. On the off chance that they have become crazy, the main alternative would be to utilize a herbicide to dispose of them for all time. Tackles weeds
ReplyDeleteThank you for a wonderful overview and detailing of Graco Airless sprayer Auckland.I agree that much can be easily painting the wall with sprayer. Thanks for this interesting blog!
ReplyDeleteمع أبو خالد سوف تحصل علي أجمل تصاميم ديكورات مشبات بجميع أنحاء المملكة العربية السعودية فنحن الأفضل كما نقدم عروض و خصومات مميزة.
ReplyDeleteتواصلوا الآن معنا عبر زيارة موقعنا:-
http://www.heateers.com/