Weed Control
Any plant growing where it is not wanted is considered a weed.
To control weeds we can remove them by hand or apply chemicals. Your choice may depend on the number of weeds you are trying to get rid of.
If the weeds you want to remove are annuals that spread by seed you need to remove or kill them before the seeds appear otherwise you will not have stopped the weed’s life-cycle.
If you are trying to eliminate plants with a tap root it is important to kill or remove the whole root as the plant will regrow from any piece of root left in the soil.
Chemical Control:
Herbicides can be broken into two groups a). selective (targeting specific types of plants) or b). non-selective (affecting all plants).
Within each group there are:-
Pre-emergent herbicides: Applied before weed seeds germinate to prevent weed establishment.
Post-emergent herbicides: Applied to actively growing weeds to kill them.
Systemic herbicides: Absorbed by the plant and translocated throughout its tissues, killing it from within.
Whichever herbicide you choose it is important to use them responsibly and according to label instructions to minimize environmental impact and avoid harming desirable plants. When making up any chemicals prepare no more than you require, use up all chemicals in sprayers and wash out sprayer thoroughly once you have finished.
Lets look at the options available for each group:
Selective Systemic Herbicides.
Bin-die-Amgrow
Bindii and Clover Weeder -Yates
Bindii and Weed Killer Richgro
Buffalo PRO
Kleen Lawn ( also contains contact herbicides)
Multi-weed All Purpose Lawn Weed Killer
Tree and Blackberry Killer – Amgrow (only for use on Woody weeds),
Winter Grass Killer - Amgrow
Non Selective Pre-emergent Herbicides
Path Weeder - Yates ( kills weeds already emerged and those yet to germinate in coming months)
Non Selective Post emergent – contact herbicides
Beat-a-Weed
Slasher
Non Selective Systemic herbicides
Path Weeder -Yates
Roundup Advance
Zero Weedkiller - Yates
Natural Methods:
We should also point out that other options include boiling water which will kill the foliage of a weed but not always kill the roots. Others like to use vinegar which will have a more comprehensive effect. Most keen eco-warriors however like to combine vinegar, salt and dish soap which is the most effective. One other non-selective approach is rubbing alcohol which will get into the roots and the plant dies of dehydration (a more severe version of a human hangover).