Wage war on weeds!
Weedkillers can deal a deadly blow to tiresome garden invaders. Geoff Hodge explains what to look for
Weedkillers can deal a deadly blow to tiresome garden invaders. Here’s how to choose between them
By midsummer our gardens are looking glorious. Plants are growing vigorously and flowering their heads off – but that also includes the weeds! Getting physical and digging out these garden interlopers is one option, but for some weeds, a weedkiller may be the only option. But which weedkiller should you use? If you’ve recently visited your local garden centre or DIY store intent on buying a weedkiller but left empty-handed, you’re not alone. Shopper research shows that up to 50% of people are too baffled by the bewildering array available to make a purchase. The truth is, choosing the right weedkiller depends on the weed itself – primarily its location. The vast majority of products can’t distinguish between weeds and wanted plants, so if you accidentally spray one of your border plants with a systemic weedkiller, it will kill it just as readily as any weed. However, lawn weedkillers are a bit more discerning. These are known as ‘selective weedkillers’, which can distinguish between grasses and broad-leaved weeds. The key here lies in the active ingredients, usually listed in small print on the container, that do the actual killing. It may take several applications of a systemic weedkiller to completely eradicate difficult perennial weeds. For best results: Spray in spring and summer. Apply your weedkiller when the plant is actively growing. Let their leaves unfurl. Allow them to grow a bit before spraying. Weedkillers are absorbed by the foliage, so the greater the leaf area, the more chemical can be absorbed. Use a fine mister spray. The small droplets will give better coverage, coating the leaves. Spray on a cool, dry evening. This will prevent the weedkiller evaporating or washing off before absorption.