thatguy
Elite Member
I thought Id share this page I found online - its sorta a newbie/intro to weed/grass killers that I found useful.. I get overwhelmed at the amount of choices you have when buying herbicides, and I realized a lot of times I buy multiples of the same chemicals from different mfg's because I didnt look at the ingredients.
In a nutshell it seems that the three listed below are sorta all you need and appear to be most commonly available around here. Your need may require a combination of these though.
Glyphosate - will kill both grass and weeds, but may need some help to kill shrubs/bushes/woody plants (see Triclopyr below)
2,4d - will kill your broadleaf weeds (not your grass) but will not work well on shrubs/bushes/woody plants
Triclopyr - works best on killing bushes/shrubs/woody plants. It will also kill broadleaf weeds (safe for grass though)..
This information came from here: Weed killers review - Weed Identification & Control - PlantCare.com But i will cut and paste for easier reading..
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Weed killers review
Choosing the right one to treat your lawn or garden
Weed killers are available in all varieties. As a gardener or homeowner, you may wonder how to choose the right one to care for weeds in your vegetable garden or front lawn. The truth is, weed killers can do more damage than good if they're not used correctly, so it's important to do some research.
The following weed killers have been chosen because they're ideal for home use. Read the information carefully, and if you decide to purchase a weed killer make sure to follow all directions to the letter. Taking a few precautions will help protect you as well as your plants and environment.
Common weed killers
Glyphosate
This non-selective weed killer is available in concentrated or ready-to-use forms. It is usually sold under the brand names Roundup and Kleenup and is often referred to as "weed and grass killer." Because it is non-selective, it will kill anything in its path and should not be used on lawns. If you're spraying weeds in the garden, do so on a calm day or use a piece of cardboard to shield other plants from spray-over. Glyphosate kills weeds to the root, versus some weed killers that simply kill the visible part of the plant.
Products containing glyphosate neutralize upon contact with the ground, making them safe for soil.
Diquat
The chemical called diquat is usually sold under the brand name Weedol (in the UK) and Reglone in the United States. Diquat works more quickly than glyphosate and is designed for killing small weeds that grow inside of shrubs, because it does not harm woody stems. It will kill grass and is known to pollute drinking water, so check local regulations before use.
Diquat is most commonly used on potatoes and cotton. It does not attack the roots of a plant and so is not helpful against perennial weeds.
Triclopyr
Brush-B-Gon and other types of brush killer are common examples of the chemical triclopyr. This weed killer is designed for use on woody or broadleaf plants, such as unwanted shrubs or bushes. It does not harm grass but can do damage to other, desirable bushes, so application should be done with care. This weed killer should be applied to foliage or cut stems so that it can work its way down to the roots.
Trimec (2,4-D)
Trimec is a hormone identical to that created by leaves as they grow. When applied to the leaves of a weed, trimec confuses the plant to death. This chemical targets broadleaf weeds such as crab grass and does not harm regular grass. It should be used with care to make sure it doesn't float onto surrounding trees or shrubbery that you don't want to kill. Most products containing this chemical have a name that contains it, such as Gordon's Trimec Weed and Feed.
Choosing a chemical weed killer can be difficult, but your best defense against residual damage to your plants is reading the label. Check out the instructions on the weed killer thoroughly, and read the active ingredients to see what kind of chemical you're buying.
Regardless of what type of weed killer you're using, the safety precautions will remain mostly the same. Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling weed killer, and a protective mask if the chemical is in a liquid form that may create spray-back. Keep children and pets away from the area until the weed killer is completely dry. Store all chemicals in a safe area on a high shelf, and make sure lids are tightly closed.
In a nutshell it seems that the three listed below are sorta all you need and appear to be most commonly available around here. Your need may require a combination of these though.
Glyphosate - will kill both grass and weeds, but may need some help to kill shrubs/bushes/woody plants (see Triclopyr below)
2,4d - will kill your broadleaf weeds (not your grass) but will not work well on shrubs/bushes/woody plants
Triclopyr - works best on killing bushes/shrubs/woody plants. It will also kill broadleaf weeds (safe for grass though)..
This information came from here: Weed killers review - Weed Identification & Control - PlantCare.com But i will cut and paste for easier reading..
==============
Weed killers review
Choosing the right one to treat your lawn or garden
Weed killers are available in all varieties. As a gardener or homeowner, you may wonder how to choose the right one to care for weeds in your vegetable garden or front lawn. The truth is, weed killers can do more damage than good if they're not used correctly, so it's important to do some research.
The following weed killers have been chosen because they're ideal for home use. Read the information carefully, and if you decide to purchase a weed killer make sure to follow all directions to the letter. Taking a few precautions will help protect you as well as your plants and environment.
Common weed killers
Glyphosate
This non-selective weed killer is available in concentrated or ready-to-use forms. It is usually sold under the brand names Roundup and Kleenup and is often referred to as "weed and grass killer." Because it is non-selective, it will kill anything in its path and should not be used on lawns. If you're spraying weeds in the garden, do so on a calm day or use a piece of cardboard to shield other plants from spray-over. Glyphosate kills weeds to the root, versus some weed killers that simply kill the visible part of the plant.
Products containing glyphosate neutralize upon contact with the ground, making them safe for soil.
Diquat
The chemical called diquat is usually sold under the brand name Weedol (in the UK) and Reglone in the United States. Diquat works more quickly than glyphosate and is designed for killing small weeds that grow inside of shrubs, because it does not harm woody stems. It will kill grass and is known to pollute drinking water, so check local regulations before use.
Diquat is most commonly used on potatoes and cotton. It does not attack the roots of a plant and so is not helpful against perennial weeds.
Triclopyr
Brush-B-Gon and other types of brush killer are common examples of the chemical triclopyr. This weed killer is designed for use on woody or broadleaf plants, such as unwanted shrubs or bushes. It does not harm grass but can do damage to other, desirable bushes, so application should be done with care. This weed killer should be applied to foliage or cut stems so that it can work its way down to the roots.
Trimec (2,4-D)
Trimec is a hormone identical to that created by leaves as they grow. When applied to the leaves of a weed, trimec confuses the plant to death. This chemical targets broadleaf weeds such as crab grass and does not harm regular grass. It should be used with care to make sure it doesn't float onto surrounding trees or shrubbery that you don't want to kill. Most products containing this chemical have a name that contains it, such as Gordon's Trimec Weed and Feed.
Choosing a chemical weed killer can be difficult, but your best defense against residual damage to your plants is reading the label. Check out the instructions on the weed killer thoroughly, and read the active ingredients to see what kind of chemical you're buying.
Regardless of what type of weed killer you're using, the safety precautions will remain mostly the same. Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling weed killer, and a protective mask if the chemical is in a liquid form that may create spray-back. Keep children and pets away from the area until the weed killer is completely dry. Store all chemicals in a safe area on a high shelf, and make sure lids are tightly closed.
