Killing Weeds and Replanting - Ask Extension
What can we use to kill weeds in vegetable garden and be able to plant right after within a week or two. In the area there is Broadleaf weeds and gra...
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Killing Weeds and Replanting #867227
Asked May 06, 2024, 12:15 PM EDT
What can we use to kill weeds in vegetable garden and be able to plant right after within a week or two. In the area there is Broadleaf weeds and grass.
Charlevoix County Michigan
Expert Response
The best herbicide to use may depend on the weeds that are present. Usually for both grasses and broadleaves, annuals and perennials, the active ingredient glyphosate would be recommended. It is safe to plant after this type of application as soon as it is dry.
Finding products with only glyphosate or glyphosate + pelargonic acid is getting trickier as Roundup has largely dropped this active ingredient from its product line. The examples I know of that still exist do not come in ready to use formulas; they are concentrates that need to be mixed with water. Some examples include: Roundup Super Concentrate (double check active ingredients), Compare & Save Weed & Grass Killer (found at Menards and TSC), Farmworks glyphosate (found at TSC).
All other herbicides (that I am aware of) have one or more flaws...
1) They are not labeled for use in vegetable/edible gardens
2) They only kill what is contacted, this does not work for established perennial species or large plants
3) The active ingredients have the potential to persist in the soil, which can delay planting your garden
4) They are prone to movement in the environment
With any pesticide application it is critical that you read the label to maximize efficacy as well as environmental and personal safety. Now more than ever it is critical to check the active ingredients as in some cases they have changed while the product name has remained the same. Look for the tiny print with the percentages, usually on the front of the label near the bottom somewhere.
If you have any questions, please let me know and we can see what other options there might be (maybe a combination of tactics) as well.
Finding products with only glyphosate or glyphosate + pelargonic acid is getting trickier as Roundup has largely dropped this active ingredient from its product line. The examples I know of that still exist do not come in ready to use formulas; they are concentrates that need to be mixed with water. Some examples include: Roundup Super Concentrate (double check active ingredients), Compare & Save Weed & Grass Killer (found at Menards and TSC), Farmworks glyphosate (found at TSC).
All other herbicides (that I am aware of) have one or more flaws...
1) They are not labeled for use in vegetable/edible gardens
2) They only kill what is contacted, this does not work for established perennial species or large plants
3) The active ingredients have the potential to persist in the soil, which can delay planting your garden
4) They are prone to movement in the environment
With any pesticide application it is critical that you read the label to maximize efficacy as well as environmental and personal safety. Now more than ever it is critical to check the active ingredients as in some cases they have changed while the product name has remained the same. Look for the tiny print with the percentages, usually on the front of the label near the bottom somewhere.
If you have any questions, please let me know and we can see what other options there might be (maybe a combination of tactics) as well.
