Quick Qu estions
How do I get rid of a lilac tree?
Mr Blackman, by email As you’ve found, simply cutting back a lilac results in a mass of suckers. You could spray new foliage when it’s fully open with a glyphosatebased weedkiller, such
as Roundup Tree Stump & Root Killer. If there
are surrounding garden plants this may be diffifficult so another option is to wait until late summer. Cut back all stems and immediately spray, as directed on the packaging.
Can you store diluted weedkiller?
John Guest, by email I know of no information on how diluted weedkiller may diminish over time. It’s good practice, however, to only mix sufficient for immediate use. Any excess should be applied over the original target area. In the event of any incident involving a stored product, this would be in contravention of the ‘Code of Practice on the Use of Plant Protection Products’, and could lead to the individual being prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive.
Can I use old fertiliser?
Jean Sco , Carlisle In contrast to diluted weedkillers, it’s perfectly fine to use stored granular fertilisers if they’ve been kept dry. If wet, they‘ll have caked so application will be difficult and some chemical changes may have occurred. In particular, nitrogen may have been lost and, early in the season, nitrogen is the one nutrient soils are most likely to be deficient in.