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Gardening

Kill the Weeds, Spare the Grass

Posted: 5/3/2010

For larger areas, use a tank sprayer with a concentrated herbicide formula.

(NewsUSA) - As temperatures warm, thoughts turn to picnics and barbecues on the lawn -- and that means doing some yard maintenance.

But attacking weeds without doing your research could lead to some unsightly brown patches. So, how do you rid your lawn of pesky weeds without harming your grass?

The maker of Spectracide herbicides and pesticides offers the following tips for defending your lawn against weeds:

Choose the best herbicide to kill the weeds. Most herbicides fall into two categories: selective and non-selective. You'll need a selective herbicide to kill the weeds in established lawns or on small patches around trees, shrubs and flower beds.

Choose a non-selective herbicide for large jobs or where you don't want any plants to grow, like on concrete and brick walkways, driveways, patios and around fences.

Take a few minutes to read labels carefully. Labels should clearly tell you whether a herbicide is selective or non-selective. Remember, non-selective kills any vegetation it comes into contact with, while selective herbicides control only the weeds listed on the label, and do not harm non-target plants.

Consider the size of the area that you'll be treating. Selective and non-selective herbicides typically come with three choices for application: concentrate, ready-to-spray and ready-to-use. For large areas, use a concentrated formula, mix it with water and apply with a tank sprayer, or use a ready-to-spray bottle with a hose-end attachment. For spot treatments, a ready-to-use spray bottle will suffice.
Time your attack wisely. For optimal results, apply herbicides on a sunny day when temperatures are 60 degrees or higher. If there's any chance of rain, hold off until a drier day. Always read and follow label directions carefully. Different products have different usages and application rates.
Know what to expect. Once the herbicide dries, you don't have to worry about the rain washing it away. However, because many herbicides only kill what's there -- they aren't preventative -- you'll have to deal with new weeds as they appear.

Spectracide brand's Web site has an educational guide available for download titled "Targeting the Enemy: Weeds & Grass -- Make Your Lawn a Weed-Free Zone," as well as online videos that offer tips for selecting and applying herbicides. For more information, visit www.spectracide.com.

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