In this buying guide, our team closely examines some of the best weed killers available today. We’ll take a closer look at lawn weed kille rs, non-specific herbicides, pre-emergent weed control, and even some pet-safe herbicides that work well in organic gardens. Unlike hand weeding, weed killers take time to work, whatever manufacturers say - there are no weed killers that work right away. It takes time to see results, it may be a week, it may be 30 days: there are no instant weed killers - if you want fast results, use your hands or dig them out. Like many off-the-shelf weed killers, it contains glyphosate. While this is strong enough to kill weeds, it’s also strong enough to harm pollinators and pond life. Having said that, treated areas can be replanted 7 days after application, which isn’t bad going for a weed killer. Systemic weed killers are applied directly to the foliage of a plant. They take several weeks to start working, but they fight the plant’s internal root system. This type of weed killer is suitable for plants that are difficult to kill, such as dandelions and poison ivy. Weed Emergence Keep in mind that this effective weed-killing product kills all plants at the root, so you want to avoid using it on plants and grass you want to keep (or cover them up if need be, as we did while testing). It's also recommended not to mow the treated areas for at least a week, but you can plant new flowers or shrubs after 24 hours. This product should not be used near edible plants. Like all weed killers, make sure to keep it out of reach of kids and pets and wait a full 24 hours to dry before letting them near the treated areas.

The biggest complaint about Glyphosate is that "it didn't work" - in most cases the product was applied incorrectly: apply on a day with no rain and coat all the leaves.

Value for Money: When assessing value for money, I identified how many litres of weed killer you received, the treatment area it covers, and the price point. Products that covered a higher surface area and still retained their effectiveness (for example, a 2 L bottle able to cover over 3000 sqm) were rated higher than those that only covered a smaller surface area for the same – or similar – price. I also assessed the additional features that come with a weed killer, as these products give you better value for money. The issue soon becomes more unmanageable if these weeds begin to seed, producing a family of unwanted weeds. By law, everyone who uses pesticides professionally must have received adequate training in using pesticides safely and be skilled in the job they are carrying out.” I think we all agree that having the odd weed here and there is par for the course in the garden. However, those pesky plants can spread so rapidly, they easily have the potential to invade entire lawns and flowerbeds. It's selective. Unlike Glyphosate which kills all plant life, 2,4-d is selective. It is particularly useful for controlling broadleaf weeds in grass & crops like corn, wheat & soybeans.

Whilst Neudorff might not be a particularly well-known company, their WeedFree Plus Concentrate is a powerful weed killer that works on relatively stubborn weeds. If you choose a selective weed killer, and spray carefully – you shouldn’t damage your grass. In some cases, if you’re not careful then you can damage the grass. Follow the usage instructions to ensure that this doesn’t happen. How do you repair grass damaged by weed killer? The trouble is that sodium is a mineral, and the sodium ion won’t vanish, so it can be a problem for anything you plant there down the line, hence why you want to be careful using salt. Dandelions are perennial broadleaf weeds with a deep taproot that allows them to survive and reproduce in various conditions. Their bright yellow flowers give way to fluffy seed heads that can disperse seeds over large areas, making them difficult to eradicate. Broadleaf Plantain You can make an all natural weed killer, however this can be incredibly time consuming. If time is on your side, there are a ton of recipes online that you can trial and test to see if it works for you. We’ve included a video here of one of the homemade weed killer recipes online, so hopefully you will find it helpful!The bottle of weed killer automatically dispenses out pre-measured amounts of the concentrated product. Although some thought is still required whilst making up the diluted formula, it’s easier than a classic free-pour dispenser. Herbicides vary in toxicity. Glyphosate is one of the best-known weed killers and has recently been identified as harmful to our waterways and health. Some ingredients, such as vinegar, are eco-friendly but still harmful! It’s important to remember that herbicides are meant to destroy plant tissue, so always use caution when applying near non-targeted plants. Be careful using weed killers around food plants. Many of them are unsafe for use around crops. There are some which are considered to be ok, but you should always do your own research on specific products and read the label carefully.

As with most of these weed killers, you have to make sure that you concentrate solely on the weed as it may affect your garden plants as well. It is biodegradable, degraded by soil microorganisms ensuring it is not harmful to the environment. This herbicide is perfect for use during the spring to early autumn months.Horticultural vinegar often comes in large 5, 10 or 20 litre tubs which are commonly diluted in a 4:1 ratio (4 parts vinegar, 1 part water). There are also differing concentrations ranging from 20% acetic acid up to 40% with the latter being more expensive. While you can simply pull weeds out with your hand, it’s very difficult to get to the roots underneath the concrete so it’ll become a never ending task. Some plants, like the invasive Japanese knotweed, are actually tenacious enough to grow directly through concrete. It is generally safe to use but there have been numerous reports of accidental damage due to drift, this can occur when it is applied during windy conditions. Not all weed killers work well for every surface or weed. Here are several factors to consider when determining which weed killer is best for your needs. Types of Weed Control Weeds can take a variety of forms, but are essentially just unwanted plants that you may find in your crops. Naturally, these can pop-up just about anywhere a regular flowerbed can.

Whilst there are a lot of ingredients that can go into weed killers, some are used more commonly than others. The spray applies nicely to wide areas like patios and driveways but is also precise too, meaning you can easily target weeds that are growing next to other plants. Just take extra care to ensure the solution doesn’t accidently touch your plants or flowers. Some people also choose to use homemade natural weed killers, using a solution of white vinegar, salt and liquid dish soap. It seems to work best in hot, dry weather, and certainly shouldn’t be applied when rain is forecast for the same day; the longer the weed killer stays on the weeds, the more effective it will be.A lot of products kill grass as well as weeds; however, there are a few weed-killer gems worth knowing about if you’re keen to clear your lawn without damaging it. This Weedol Lawn Weed Killer is successful at removing clover, dandelions and other unwanted culprits from lawns, without scorching or killing off the grass. This makes it one of the best selective weed killers, making it possible to carry out targeted weed killing on the lawn! The only negative when it comes to application is that it takes a few pumps to get a decent amount of weed killer out. You’ll need to get fairly close to the weeds to cover them, and those with weaker hands or reduced mobility may find they’re working harder than is comfortable for them. It’s important to note that the chemicals in most weed killers are not as effective during warmer temperatures.