Weeds are the key barrier to make a picturesque environment in your lawn garden and a common question arise when and how to apply weed killer on lawn? To get rid of weeds, you have to buy weed killer first. But some questions make people confused. Such as how to use weed killer properly? Which types of weed killer should you buy to prevent additional expenses? Here, you will get expert tips about all your questions. And the first tip from us is that don’t use the wrong weed killer and don’t apply the wrong process because it makes your problem of weeds worse. So, check the tips given below: –
How to apply weed killer on lawn?
In this article, we’ll know the following topics.
- How to apply various types of weed killers?
- What is the best time for using weed killers?
- How increase the effectiveness of most weed killers?
- Safety rules for using weed killers
- How often should you apply weed killer?
How to apply various types of weed killers?
The weed-killing pesticides are mainly known as Herbicides. With Herbicides’ help, you can get an almost weed-free lawn. You can increase the productivity of vegetables and fruits significantly. However, to get strong and healthy plants with a weeds-free yard, you must understand the product’s working procedure and follow some simple rules.
All weed killers are separated into two types: –
- Non-selective herbicides;
- Selective herbicides;
There are many non-selective herbicides available in the market, such as Roundup, Hurricane Forte, etc. Typically, non-selective herbicides type weed killers are used before cultivating lawns or gardens.
Solid herbicides such as glyphosate that is mainly based on substances that can destroy all plants virtually. A wide range of selective action products is capable of killing. Dandelions or chamomile can be an example of it.
During spraying, a glyphosate-based weed killer should have to be very conscious so that it doesn’t fall on the leaves of plants; even a small drop of this type of pesticide can cause your fruit tree shrubs’ death.
It is good to spray soil herbicides when spreading the weed seeds into the soil because the application of these types of drugs directly to the ground affects the weed seeds adversely.
Another most popular type of weed killer is systemic herbicide. It’s affected the growth of the weed very quickly and effectively. Suppose you apply systemic herbicides on the weed. In that case, it’s not only affected the outer shells but also absorbed into the weeds. It spreads through the weed and attacks the root system.
Both soil and systemic herbicides are excellent in their sector. We cannot compare them with each other. Because Systemic herbicides affect the plants, and Soil herbicides affect the seeds.
What time is best time for using weed killers?
Spring is the best time for using weed killers. It would be better to use weed killer before a few weeks of cultivating the trees in your lawns. To destroy weeds entirely, you need a second treatment in between 2-3 weeks. In this case, the rest of the weeds deep into the soil will be destroyed completely.
At the time of weed control on your lawn, you must have to prevent the spread of seeds and destroy all young weeds before flowering. If you apply these tips, weed seeds will be decreased drastically.
According to the upper described process, you will be capable of doing a manual removal of weeds. But the weeds whose height has reached 6 inches or more will be less affected by herbicides. In this case, it is a crying need to mow all of the overgrown weeds, then wait and give them to grow to 2.6 – 3.0 inches. Finally, apply weed killer on them.
Everyone should be conscious of some factors before applying a weed killer. Those are: –
- Dosing accuracy;
- Processing of actively overgrown weeds;
- Proper temperature;
- Identify accurate weed before using any selective weed killer.
How to increase the effectiveness of weed killers?
To increase the effectiveness of herbicides, apply them with nitrogen-based fertilizers. There is an alternative. You can apply herbicides and ammonium nitrate mixture that would be more effective. Apply the solution of 0.2-0.4% ammonium nitrate several days before the treatment with herbicides. Otherwise, spread 0.02 – 0.03 pounds nitrogen-based fertilizer per 10 square feet on the lawns after the irrigation and one week before applying.
Suppose you do not get a promise from the weather forecasters about suitable weather after applying herbicides and don’t have enough time to delay the treatments. In that case, you add adhesives with your pesticide mixture to get the expected result.
Perhaps, using adhesives is the only way to decrease the herbicide dose without reducing their effectiveness. But those adhesives should have a biological origin, and Liposam is an example of it. If you use it with selective herbicides, it will prevent chemicals from spreading to the cultivated plants and soil.
Truthfully, herbicides, along with adhesives, increase the effectiveness of herbicides dramatically.
Safety rules for using weed killers
If you are thinking about safety, a question is coming into your mind. Can weed killers harm humans? Yes, it is less harmful to humans, but sometimes it can be deadly. All substances of herbicides have various degrees of toxicity. You will find the level of danger and toxicity in its label.
Most of the herbicides are medium-toxic for the human body. But they can be very harmful to pets and little kids, especially liquid herbicides. When applying herbicides, they must have to wear protective clothes, respirators, goggles, and rubber gloves.
Important advice: Before applying weed killer, you must have to protect exposed skin and mucous membranes from any contact with weed killers.
The contact of weed killer with your skin can be caused by rash and redness. Wash your skin properly with water if a single drop of herbicides falls on your skin.
If the herbicide affects your mucous membranes, wash the digestive tract with plenty of fresh water and then consult with a doctor.
After using weed killer, wash the sprayer with the detergent solution until the substances are eradicated.
Things to consider at the time of reading the label
Before applying weed killer, read the instructions of the label of weed-killer properly. It would be best if you remembered that most of the herbicides come from vegetative weeds. Check the label and apply the pesticide according to the instruction provided on the label. You will also get information about the time of action and properties there.
You also need to check some important information before buying herbicides for selective action. Such as: –
- Shelf life;
- Type of weeds it can kill;
- Consumption rates;
- Application methods;
Weather conditions:
It is unnecessary to apply a weed killer on a rainy season and windy day. Apply the products during the warm and calm weather when the wind speed would not be more than 6.5 mph. The early morning and evening hours are the best times for applying herbicides. But you can apply it in the daytime only on cool and cloudy days. However, it is vital to maintain the air temperature.
- Avoid applying weed killer into the strong wind blow, and air can spread it on your cultivated plants and may cause damage.
- The effectiveness of weed killers is more in autumn than in the spring when the weeds grow.
- For using liquid weed killer, use a good sprayer.
Common tips for applying any weed killer:
- Do not apply pesticides to the plants that are in a state of stress.
- Apply the weed killer after 3 hours of irrigation and watering.
- If the lawn is in perfect condition, repeat the treatment every three years.
How often should you apply weed killer?
It depends on the varieties of your chosen weed killer. It will help if you read the manufacturer instructions label first because each herbicide has different use instructions.
There are many weed killers available in the market that are enough for a single annual treatment. But most of the herbicides are suitable for using 2-time treatments in a year. When buying herbicide, make sure that it is suitable for the spot treatments and ideal for the whole lawn coverage.
Expert agriculturists recommend two treatments per year with two different types of weed killer. To get rid of the weeds problem completely, repeat the application of the substance in September of the same year. For certain weeds, you can use spot herbicides in summer and spring.
Final thoughts
Using a weed killer is the best way to solve the weeds problem, and it is straightforward to use. You need to read and follow the instructions on its label. If you follow the manufacturer’s label and expert tips, no need to treat your lawn for several years. But it would be good for you to prevent weeds than killing. So, we advise you not to forget to mow and cultivate plants regularly.
