The Hardware Man - Growing Season / Weed Season

Howdy folks,

It is active growing season, and we can hardly keep up with mowing the grass. Shrubs are adding inches of new growth daily and the corn will be high as an elephant’s eye before too long.

The other thing that is growing are weeds. Weeds in the lawn. Weeds in the flower beds. Weeds in the driveway. Weeds along the fence and through cracks in the pavement. Dandelions, thistles, sedge and phlox. Waxy leaves, broad leaves, prickly leaves. Wirey stems, hollow and watery stems, low creeping or bold upright stems.

A weed, by definition, is vegetation that is growing in a place where it is not wanted. Those volunteer tomato plants would fit the definition, or the blackberry bushes or the maple tree saplings. The question we often pose at the store centers around what kind of weed needs removed and for how long. Weeds can be managed by mechanical means (pulling or cutting) or by chemical treatment. Understanding the methods and products available can produce better results.

Roundup has turned into a genericide term, like Xerox, Band-Aid, Google or Zip-Lock. A trademarked name we now use generically. The name describes a chemical weed killer that would include glyphosate as the active ingredient that is applied as a spray and browns the leaves of everything it touches. The brand has been vilified by some lawsuits as a product that causes cancer and other negative environmental impacts. However, like most things, it is effective and good if used in moderation. Modern agriculture would not be as productive without the use of some of these chemicals. Good, bad or ugly, Roundup plays an important part in our crop production.

Chemical weed control has many options engineered to achieve specific goals. Roundup, or glyphosate is an indiscriminate chemical that kills the plant topically, or through the leaf. It is fast acting with results showing within hours on certain plants. Depending on the type of weed needing controlled, it may be largely ineffective because the regenerative life of some vegetation comes from its root. In that case, using a product with the active ingredient imazapyr, which is systemic, infiltrates the root system and it will die.

The biggest difference between glyphosate and imazapyr is the amount of time needed after application to reseed. Glyphosate becomes inert on the ground after spraying, meaning it will not prevent new weeds from sprouting. Imazapyr, on the other hand, lingers in the soil, preventing new growth for up to a year. Imazapyr is good for driveways, fence lines or other areas desired to be kept clear. Glyphosate can be used before working a field, spot spray in a flower bed or before redoing a lawn area.

In the store, we carry the tradename Roundup product as well as Ragan & Massey’s RM18 and RM43. RM18 is a good glyphosate product and RM43 contains some glyphosate as well as imazapyr. RM18 is good for the quick kill, while RM43 is good for extended long term control.

Other popular lawn sprays include 2,4-D Amine, which is a selective broadleaf weed control, leaving desirable grass or plants unaffected, or Q4-Plus which kills post-emergent crabgrass as well as broadleaf weeds, woody plants and sedges.

As with all chemicals, it is necessary to read and understand the Safety Data Sheet and product labels. This information instructs on basic precautions, product mix ratios and first aid instructions.

There are many solutions available to fit your desired results. When we play the 20-questions game, it is to provide you with the best product. Alternatively, as a licensed applicator, I can do the dirty work for you.

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Daniel Karns and his wife own Clintonville Hardware & Rental along with other businesses. Join the discussion by contacting him at info@clintonvillehardware.com.