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Who makes a grass / weed killer spray worth a damn?

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June 01, 2025, 07:56 AM
hberttmank
Who makes a grass / weed killer spray worth a damn?
Looking for a spray chemical that will actually kill vegetation and keep it dead for more than a month. Have tried Round up and Spectracide and the common chemicals sold in Walmart, Lowes etc. I don't have any flowers or animals, I want something I can spray around my fence and driveway and kill it off. I was told Amine 400 was good. Thanks for any recommendations.



"But, as luck would have it, he stood up. He caught that chunk of lead." Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock
"If there's one thing this last week has taught me, it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it." Clarence Worley
June 01, 2025, 07:59 AM
Bytes
I've had good luck with Ortho Groundclear It lasts about a year when I use it.
June 01, 2025, 08:02 AM
Vette02
^^^^
This
June 01, 2025, 08:03 AM
daffy
I use a mixture of Round-up,, Spectracide,,, & Ground Clear...and liquid Dawn dish soap---- and i make it a tad more concentrated..wait 7-10 days and repeat-- total annihilation...daffy



[___________________________________________________________]
Why is it, that when you make something idiot proof, they make a better idiot.
June 01, 2025, 08:15 AM
TMats
If you get licensed as a private applicator by your county, you can buy glyphosate concentrate. Roundup is actually mixed to a pretty low level of active ingredient (glyphosate).

It’s doesn’t take a big effort to obtain that private applicator license.


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despite them
June 01, 2025, 08:38 AM
David Lee
I am about to kill off a small field of poison ivy here. The other weeds will just be gone as well. Mix up a strong batch of white vinegar, lots of salt and a healthy amount of cheap dish soap. Don't skimp on any of the 3. Lots ! It takes a few days but the leaves begin to brown and wrinkle away. Just be sure there are no rains for a few days.
June 01, 2025, 08:44 AM
David Lee
quote:
Originally posted by daffy:
I use a mixture of Round-up,, Spectracide,,, & Ground Clear...and liquid Dawn dish soap---- and i make it a tad more concentrated..wait 7-10 days and repeat-- total annihilation...daffy
Dawn has a power wash liquid which is very strong. Sprayed on weeds full strength, it kills everything. Not good around your trees or plants you don't want to kill.
June 01, 2025, 09:04 AM
Tailhook 84
For total vegetation control, I use Ragan & Massey RM43 which can be found at your local farm & ranch store. It's a glyphosphate concentrate mixed to 43% rather than the Roundup "concentrate" (19%) you'll find at Lowes. Definitely use a surfactant to help absorption and prevent the wind from taking it to areas you don't want to kill.

I have read that soaps are generally ionic surfactants which may interfere with absorption of herbicides. I have also read that Dawn liquid dish soap or baby shampoo is cheaper and just as effective. YMMV based on what you are applying and how it interacts with ionic surfactants. For me, when I spend $149 for 2.5 gallons of RM43, I also spend the additional $12-$20 for the ag-use surfactant which is non-ionic.




"The Truth, when first uttered, is always considered heresy."
June 01, 2025, 09:15 AM
xd45man
For a small fee and included transportation, I could have XD45MANjr come over. He's 6, but everything he pees on dies and stays dead.


Beagle lives matter.
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June 01, 2025, 10:00 AM
tsmccull
Ruralking sells both 41% and 53.8% glyphosate concentrations. No license necessary here. Tractor Supply is similar.
June 01, 2025, 10:59 AM
sigmonkey
You need very little Dawn as a surfactant.

Just enough to break water tension so the vegetation is "wetter" rather than beading up as most vegetation has natural oils/waxes that protect them by beading and shedding water.

Put a few drops in a quart of water and spray on a plant and you will see how little it requires to be effective.

I use Farm General 41% glyphosate and BK-32 Brush killer and I sprayed during our "spring growth" in March.

I go after poison ivy anytime I see it.




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
June 01, 2025, 01:33 PM
41
Do you think the farmer could afford the Lowes or Home Depot prices?? Go to the Tractor Store:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/...?isIntSrch=typeahead

Some of the weed killers come with a spreader/sticker surfactant or use Miller Nu-Film 17:

https://www.millerchemical.com...djuvants/nu-film-17/


41
June 01, 2025, 01:42 PM
sigmonkey
I get mine from our Farmer's Co-Op in concentrate.




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
June 01, 2025, 01:49 PM
TMats
quote:
Originally posted by David Lee:
I am about to kill off a small field of poison ivy here. The other weeds will just be gone as well. Mix up a strong batch of white vinegar, lots of salt and a healthy amount of cheap dish soap. Don't skimp on any of the 3. Lots ! It takes a few days but the leaves begin to brown and wrinkle away. Just be sure there are no rains for a few days.

If you want to try this, go to a store like Home Depot and by “30% vinegar,” stronger than regular home use.


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despite them
June 01, 2025, 02:28 PM
trapper189
I purchased RM43 from Tractor Supply. It has the same active ingredient as RoundUp, but has another that prevents new weeds from growing.

It has surfactant in it, does it need more?

From their FAQs:
“What should I do if I left some RM43 out and it froze?
RM43 should not be left to freeze, but if it does happen, shake it up well because in extreme cold the surfactant may separate from the mixture but it will easily go back into solution with agitation.”
June 01, 2025, 02:54 PM
FenderBender
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fl...er-YSN500K/317903288


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The point is, who will stop me?
https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...990026293#5990026293
June 01, 2025, 03:42 PM
smlsig
I’m traveling now but don’t bother going to HD or Lowe’s. Go to a commercial groundskeeping supplier and ask for the best product they have.

I did this last year and the stuff they sold me just flat out works. When I get back home midweek I’ll try and get you the product name.


------------------
Eddie

Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina
June 01, 2025, 04:34 PM
tatortodd
quote:
Originally posted by hberttmank:
Looking for a spray chemical that will actually kill vegetation and keep it dead for more than a month. Have tried Round up and Spectracide and the common chemicals sold in Walmart, Lowes etc. I don't have any flowers or animals, I want something I can spray around my fence and driveway and kill it off. I was told Amine 400 was good. Thanks for any recommendations.
Is your bottle of Roundup new?

The reason I ask is that thanks to EPA and lawsuits, the current Chemical in the round up bottle is not what it used to be. It used to be glyphosate and a watered down version (~20% concentrate) of glyphosate at that so that they could sell you water (i.e. even before the generic glyphosate was a better value since it was sold at 41% concentration). Now, round up as reformulated to be:
  • Triclopyr, triethylamine salt 2.50%
  • Fluazifop-P-butyl 2.00%
  • Diquat dibromide 1.50%

    You can still go to tractor supply, ace Hardware, and other non-big box stores and buy 41% glyphosate. Adding a surfactant (e.g. Garden product actually labeled surfactant), a sticker/spreader, liquid Castile soap, or Dawn dishwashing liquid makes it even more effective.

    Grasses and most broadleaf plants are easily controlled with glyphosate. However, woody stemmed weeds are rarely effectively controlled. Triclopyr is much better at controlling woody stemmed weeds, and the original Roundup Poison Ivy Plus Tough Brush Killer contained it and so does the current version.



  • Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

    DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.
    June 01, 2025, 04:43 PM
    hberttmank
    Thanks everyone for your replies. I went to Tractor Supply and got a 1 gallon jug of 41% glyphosate it was on sale for $39.99 supposed to make 85 gallons. Added a squirt of Dawn mixed it up and put it on. I will know in a couple months how good it works. Or maybe need to look for Agent Orange. Smile



    "But, as luck would have it, he stood up. He caught that chunk of lead." Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock
    "If there's one thing this last week has taught me, it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it." Clarence Worley
    June 01, 2025, 05:33 PM
    Bentonville
    Harris extra strength vinegar in a sprayer works better than the Roundup or other chemical sprays. After years of Roundup I discovered this a an old-time hardware store and wow!! It works!