Gardener’s Guide to Weed Control
Content
- Mulching
- Physical weed control
- Chemical weed control
- Contact and systematic weed killers
- Residual weed killers
- Non-chemical weed control
- Total weed killers
- Killing weeds on beds and borders
A weed is a plant in the wrong place. To some, the concept of restricting the growth of these naturally occurring plants is wrong, whilst to others, any plant growing where it is not desired, requires immediate attention. Prevention can be better than cure and to prevent the establishment of weeds, physical barriers such as mulches or residual herbicides may be used.
Mulching
The use of weed control mulches also has the additional benefit of retaining soil moisture which aids the establishment of new planting and mature planting. Landscape fabric has become a popular solution which is widely available in our garden centres. This is best laid down at the time of planting and can be covered with bark for a more decorative look. Notcutts garden centres also stock a wide selection of aggregates and decorative chippings which work especially well when laid over fabrics and can create an attractive feature in their own right.
Physical Weed Control.
Established weeds may be controlled by physical removal (weeding), or the use of a weed killer. With today’s concern over environmental matters, the range of chemical herbicides available to the gardener has been reduced, and other methods of weed control are available, such as the use of flame guns – the simple hoe is still very effective. Our garden centres stock a comprehensive range of hoes and other tools to suit most people’s requirements.
Chemical Weed Control
The range of chemical products available for gardeners is ever-changing, but you should always find something to suit your specific needs. Our range of weed killers includes large packs of concentrated products to cover larger areas, as well as the handy ready-to-use solutions, suitable for smaller patches.
Contact and Systemic Weed killers.
Chemical herbicides can be classified by selectivity and by mode of action. Herbicides are either selective or non selective in what they kill, e.g. lawn weed killers select the broadleaved weeds and do no harm to grass. The mode of action is the method by which the plant is killed.
Contact herbicides kill green foliage, and can be selective. Systemic weed killers are more popular, as they have a more effective kill rate, but they work more slowly and are normally non selective. They work by being absorbed into the foliage and young stems of the plant and then move around the plant internally killing the tissues they come into contact with. The kill rate depends upon the relative amount of chemical uptake by the plant and so weeds must be in active growth for these to succeed. They are normally inactive in soil and are broken down by bacterial action.
Residual weed killers.
These remain active in the soil and prevent the establishment of any new plants, either selectively or non-selectively. They are most commonly used on gravel drives and pathways and in between paving on patios; they remain active for many months. It is common for these products to be sold in combination with a contact or systemic ingredient that will take out any existing weeds, whilst the residual component will prevent future weed growth.
Manufacturers produce a wide range of chemical herbicides, often mixed to provide a number of features. Inclusion or exclusion in this book is not a recommendation for or against any particular brand or herbicide.
Follow all label recommendations and if in any doubt, please ask our garden centre staff for advice.
Non Chemical Weed Control
- Mulches
- Chipped or Shredded bark, Cocoa shells.
- Physical Barriers
- Plastic sheeting
- Flame guns
- Parascene weed wand
- Chemical Weed Control
- Killing Weeds in Lawns
- Verdone Extra, liquid lawn weedkiller – contains fluoroxypyr, clopyralid and MCPA.
- Vitax Green-Up Feed & Weed, liquid lawn feed and weedkiller – contains 2,4-D and dicamba.
- Vitax Lawn Clear, liquid lawn weedkiller – contains fluoroxypyr and mecoprop-P.
- Evergreen Complete, granular lawn feed, weed and mosskiller – contains MCPA, mecoprop-P and ferrous sulphate. NPK: 14-2-4
- Phostrogen Feed, Weed & Mosskiller, granular lawn feed, weed and mosskiller – contains 2,4-D, mecoprop-P and ferrous sulphate. NPK: 10-5-5
- Killing Weeds on Paths and Patios
- Bio Kills Weeds on Paths and Patios Ready to Use formula – contains diuron and glufosinate-ammonium.
- Pathclear Gun Ready to Use formula – contains glyphosate trimesium and diuron.
- Pathclear soluble formula – contains amitrole, diquat, paraquat and simazine.
Total Weed killers
- Sodium Chlorate - contains sodium chlorate and fire depressants.
- Casoron G4 Weedblock - contains 4%w/w dichlobenil
SBK Brushwood Killer liquid concentrate formula – contains 2,4-D, mecoprop-P and dicamba
Killing Weeds on Beds and Borders
- Weedol Gun Ready to Use formula – contains diquat
- Weedol soluble formula – contains diquat and paraquat
- Roundup Ready to Use and liquid concentrate formulae – contains glyphosate
- Bio Kills Weeds Dead Fast! Ready to Use formula – contains glufosinate-ammonium and natural fatty acids.
- Bio Organic Weed Control Ready to Use formula – contains natural fatty acids.
Always read the label; use pesticides safely.