Question
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Followup To
Hi, I should have been more specific. I do not have a weed problem with our lawn. The problem is within our backyard landscaping!! With dandilions, etc. With the dogs, it is very difficult to keep a nice landscape in our yard. This is the area of the problem! Within the Wooden borders of our landscaping, outside our lawn area. We just have a ton of weeds and by weekly weedwacking them isn't enough. This is why I was looking for some type of SAFE weed control for them that won't harm the dogs. Sorry for misleading you!!

Thanks!!!

Tom From Northeastern Pa.
)))))))))))
)))))))))))))))))))7/11/04

Question -
Hi,
I live on the East Coast. Can you suggest to me what option(s) I have when it comes to a Safe (store bought product or a home-made solution) to killing weeds, YET not being worried about this METHOD harming my Pets, (dogs) that roam this same area?
If you can not answer this for me, could you direct me to another source for this kind of "help" that I need?

Thanks!!
Answer -
The first step would be to introduce proper care for the lawn which result in a lush, green, well growing lawn without the need to use herbicides.

This includes watering, fertilizing and mowing correctly. If you live in Virginia and north, only fertilize lightly in spring, but then twice in fall. Do not fertilize in summer. If you live in georgia and south, fertilize in early and mid summer only. A lawn should be fertilized to ensure proper growth and avoid competition with weeds.

Mow frequently and mow high. avoid cutting lawn too low.

water infrequently but deeply, such as once per week for 2 hours rather than 15 minutes daily.

Handpick weeds when you see them.

If you follow above, the lawn will naturally be in a good position to fight weeds.

If you need to resort to weed control products, you can generally use them and allow dogs onto the lawn after the product is dry. Check lable for specific restrictions.

Guidelines for Weed Control

Here are some guidelines to observe when applying herbicides to your lawn.

Herbicides generally work best on young, succulent annual weeds. The weeds should be actively growing at the time of application to ensure that they absorb the material efficiently.

Perennial weeds, such as dandelions, are more sensitive to herbicides late in the growing season when food moves downward to replace those reserves. At this time the herbicide is readily carried throughout the plant and is most effective.

For maximum effectiveness, use herbicides when the soil is moist and warm. These conditions favour the most rapid growth of weeds, and hence the most efficient uptake of herbicides. If the soil is dry before treatment, water the lawn 2 days before applying the herbicide.

Avoid using herbicides during hot weather (85癋), when damage to desirable grasses is more likely.

Do not mow the lawn right before applying an herbicide. If you do, you will be cutting off vulnerable leaf tissue on the weeds, wasting the effects of the herbicide.

Avoid drift onto nearby plants. The product you use to control weeds in your lawn can also harm and even kill desirable plants growing nearby if they are also sprayed. If it is windy, do not spray.

For proper effectiveness and safety, use herbicides only at the concentration indicated on the label. Use neither more nor less. Unless the product is labelled otherwise, apply the herbicide 24 hours before anticipated rain or lawn watering.

Do not mow for 2 days after the application. Mowing immediately will remove the herbicide before it can start to work.

If a particularly resistant weed does not seem to respond, wait at least 2 weeks or the length of time directed on the label before treating again. Be patient- it may take up to four weeks for some weeds to die.

Grass seedlings are very sensitive to herbicides. It is best to delay applications until a newly planted lawn has been mowed at least 3 times. Do not apply any herbicides to newly installed sod until it is firmly rooted.

Do not use grass clippings from the lawn on gardens or around shrubs if herbicides have been applied. Herbicide residue may still be present on the clippings and could harm the ornamental plants.

Unless the product is labelled otherwise, people and pets (such as dogs and cats) can go back on the lawn once the application has dried. If in doubt, wait 24 hours.

Identifying the weeds in your lawn is the first step in any control program. If you cannot identify a weed, take a sample to your local nursery or local agricultural extension office.

Answer
Weed-be-gon is a good product against broadleaf weeds like dandelions. But the product will also kill other plants (like flowers, shrubs, etc) if it get on the leaves of these plants. I do not know if you can apply the product to the leaves of the weeds without getting it on adjacent plants ?

Otherwise, a good mulch and handweeding is safest and easiest.