Weed Killer: Use It Responsibly, For Your Lawn and Yourself

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Take a trip to your local home and garden center and you'll be blown away by the sheer volume of weed killer products available to you.

But there are some things you must know about these products before you spread them in your garden. Read further to learn about selecting the right weed killer, and applying it safely and effectively.

Common Weed Killers

• Triox. This total vegetation killer is used on sidewalks, driveways, along fences and other spots where no growth is desired. It will kill any plant it contacts.
• Dicamba. Primarily used for lawns, Dicamba is another high-powered weed killer that can damage shrubs and trees if applied indiscriminately.
• Glyphosate. Commonly known by the marketing name Roundup, Glyphosate is perhaps the most mild weed killer on the market currently.

Once you've selected the right weed killer for your particular needs, you'll need to know the method for application that will provide the most beneficial results. Follow this sensible plan for successful application.

Using Weed Killers Sensibly

• Prune. Cut the stems of particularly large or obstinate weeds close to the base.
• Apply. Immediately paint the growing weeds with your selected agent.
• Follow-up. Check frequently for residual growth and apply more weed killer as needed.

Using weed killer appropriately will decrease your chances of killing desirable vegetation and increase your chances of raising a healthy lawn and garden. 

About the Author

Kelly Richardson has obsessive compulsive lawn disorder and is afflicted with the need to share his knowledge with the world. Kelly writes lawn columns for a variety of home and garden magazines and e-zines.