Supposedly non toxic to pets and wildlife, True?
Anyone use? Does it work. How expensive compared? Round up type stuff?

Thanks all.

Never heard of it.

But I will say, having used Round Up or other similar weed killers for many years, I was surprised at how well vinegar, epsom salt and Dawn dish soap worked.

I made up a batch last week and applied liberally. Within two days the ground cover weeds were brown. Since this was my first time using this, I have no idea if it'll last, but I was impressed. And because I have a few rabbits around keeping my grass trimmed, I thought I'd try it.

1 gallon vinegar
1 cup epsom salt
1-2 Tbs Dawn liquid

YMMV

I have a ‘country lawn’ so don’t mess with weed killers much, used to a little. As posted above, a salt solution will kill grass. For the worst of weeds I have used the spray bottles sparingly.

Even dandelions are more of a springtime thing, dissipating into Summer. I realize in some neighborhoods, fighting and eliminating weeds is a thing.

My wife bought some. She says it's snake oil.

Bob

I used Spruce the other day and I thought it worked well.

I did one strip with Round up and another strip with Spruce to compare.

I could not tell the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Never heard of it.

But I will say, having used Round Up or other similar weed killers for many years, I was surprised at how well vinegar, epsom salt and Dawn dish soap worked.

I made up a batch last week and applied liberally. Within two days the ground cover weeds were brown. Since this was my first time using this, I have no idea if it'll last, but I was impressed. And because I have a few rabbits around keeping my grass trimmed, I thought I'd try it.

1 gallon vinegar
1 cup epsom salt
1-2 Tbs Dawn liquid

YMMV

This formula works great except Id recommend using the more potent vinegar found at Lowe's or home depot rather than the stuff you buy at the supermarket. Instead of Epsom Salt I used regular table salt. The weeds I sprayed turned brown and were dead in a matter of hours so this formula works great and works fast but be careful applying it because it will kill whatever it touches. Its cheaper and more effective than round up and not as toxic so two big pluses.

In addition to their immediate effectiveness, herbicides should be compared as to their selectivity, and long-term residual effects. Soil sterilization is rarely a desired situation in home gardens. Also, you don't want to kill the "good" plants along with the undesirable ones.

When I last visited the herbicide aisle at my local HD, I was amazed at how selective some of the available formulations claimed to be. With some trepidation I purchased a poison ivy-specific product that proved to be very effective without visible damage to adjacent plants, even those that were sprayed heavily. Of course, the poison ivy came back from the roots within weeks, but it did work on the foliage. I plan to use it again, probably later this summer. Sorry, I don't recall the product name, but I trust I will be able to pick it out on the shelf.

Also important is application timing and technique, don't spray herbicides on windy days for example. Some work better on new growth, others on mature foliage. READ THE LABEL, do it twice, if there is anything you don't understand, figure it out, get help if you have to! Your health and the effectiveness of the application depend on full understanding of the information on the label.

WRT Spruce herbicide, a little net.research reveals that it kills the top of the plant and does not touch the roots, so weeds can be expected to grow back quickly. Roundup (the original Glyphosate product) is absorbed by the foliage, and then traves to the root where it does its dirty work. Some plants have achieved resistance, but for most they are permanently killed top to bottom (with somewhat delayed visuals compared to those herbicides the "burn" the foliage. I would expect that Spruce requires multiple applications over a growing season to be truly effective.

"Roundup" has become a trade name for a variety of formulations, some of which no longer contain Glyphosate. Read the label to assess active ingredients and their applicability for your specific situation. A knowledge of the weed species you are trying to control, and the species of desirable plants nearby is invaluable.