Herbicide brand?

[WDWCRP]

I decided to purchase a sprayer to control weeds and grass around the out buildings at the farm. Can anyone recommend a good herbicide for general use? Thanks,WDWCRP

[Argee]

Speed Zone at TSC...It's chlorinated phenoxy compound aka 2,4-D a wickedly effective cure for dandelions and the like.

[guest]

I noticed you stated weeds and grass. I would say glyphosphate (generic Round Up). Depending upon how much you need to spray, you can buy it in bulk at your Coop but you will net an applicators certification. Most Ag extension agents are giving the classes for these certifications, usually at low or no cost. Check with your local Ag extension agent for that.

[chipmaker]

If you want the area free of any vegetation for a long long time get some Tordon 10K . I does a great job, and comes as a granule/ pellet. Tordon 22K is a liquuid form, but 10K is easier to use. Another good one but you would probably have to get a permit for it as well is PathfinderII. I'm still setting on 4, 2 1/2 gal containers of the PathfinderII herbicide as I do not use it anymore since I got out of the tree cutting and brush clearing sideline business. I used to spray the cut stumps with PFII along with certain trees like Gums and Willows, locusts, poplar etc that like to send up suckers, if the stumps are not removed. It will kill that stump dead and eliminate all sucker growth, as well as any type of growth like weeds and saplings etc. Now we do not use any kind of herbicide except for goats around the place.........

[bontai Joe]

There are some organic alternatives such as salt water and vinegar, that will kill most vegetation with less harmfull impact on the environment. Not that I'm a tree hugger, but chemicals put around the house tend to end up in your drinking water.

[old_nodaker]

I have a question about using 2-4D for dandylions, how critical is the application amount? Do dandylions get toughter/resistant if you don't put on enough? If they don't keel over the first time can you spray them lightly again and be effective? I can't see any reliable method to apply a "correct" amount, or even what a "correct" amount is. I have the best crop ever of them this year, for some reaon. We finally had a still day with no rain so I sprayed about 10 acres, used up a gallon of 2-4d mixed with a 100 gallons of water. Does that sound reasonable?

[Argee]

Depending on what % strength formula you have. The stuff I used was 24% and I used 1 oz. per gallon. If you mixed a gallon with 100 gallons of water that's a better ratio...stronger if it's the same percentage. Everywhere it hit the dandelions it has knocked them back. I noticed a few areas where they still exist but those are areas where I only got close to because of the potential of drift and over-spray getting onto ground cover.

[Argee]

I am no advocate of them and I have to agree with bontai joe regarding the use of chemicals. I guess I was unable to find a suitable organic alternative that would selectively alllow me to kill dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. This is the first time I have ever used any chemicals on my lawn. This year the dandelions seem to be out of control and wanting to thicken my lawn to keep the dust down I felt the need to control them. I hope I made the right decision. Time will tell if I poisoned my well.

[Ingersoll444]

Guess I am in the same boat as Argee, and Joe. I perfer the non cem approch, eaven concering fert's. but theis is a REALLLLL bad DL year!!!! I never remember this many, so soon in the season. I went wiith just the weed, and feed, and it seems to be working a bit. I figure I will need a little something more in a month to knock the rest down before the hot wether comes.

[jdkubotamurray]

I use Round Up in the 2.5 Gal Jugs, TSC now has for 99$, THD and Co-ops also carry.

[Mickey]

I noticed you stated weeds and grass. I would say glyphosphate (generic Round Up). Depending upon how much you need to spray, you can buy it in bulk at your Coop but you will net an applicators certification.
Depend upon where you live. No cert require here in Oregon. Round-Up can be had almost anywhere products like this are sold. Oregon is a big ag state and with the leftie's running much of the state I would suspect if there were a major issue the state would be controling it.

Glyphosphate is a post emergence herbicide and quickly looses it magic upon contact with the ground, or so the literiture says.

If you are really trying to limit the use of chem on your place there is a device that you might be interested in. Looks something like a paint roller on a long handle. Handle holds the herbicide and you brush on on the plants you are trying to control. See them being used around here but have never tanken a close look. Some grass seed farmer use them on their fields for cert. seed that must be weed free.