I have too many weeds in my backyard. How can I use weed control to remove all weeds?

Question

I have too many weeds in my backyard. How can I use weed control to remove all weeds?

Answer 1

If you want to kill everything in your backyard, spray it with Glyphosate (Round-up).  This will only kill the plants above the ground and NOT THE SEEDS lying dormant on and in the soil.  

step 2:

When fall rains come they will germinate the remaining weed seeds in the soil (or MOST of them).  You can mimic mother nature, by thoroughly watering you backyard with a hose-end sprinkler.  Do this for about 5-7 days and you will soon see the next weed crop coming up.  

step 3:  Spray this second weed crop with another application of Glyphosate (Round-up).  Best when the weed plants are young (4-6" tall).   Now you have a relatively weed-free backyard!

step4:  Go ahead and plant your grass seed or landscape without the emergence of a WEED CROP.  

step 5:   some weeds will emerge and will have to be controlled with "selective" herbicides.  Round-up is non-selective in that it kills everything.  A selective herbicide like "2,4d"  only kills weeds that have leaves (dandilions, clovers, etc.) and doen't effect grasses or turf at all.  However, this WILL kill shrubs if applied on the leaves of ornamentals- so be caREFUL IF YOU ARE TREATING YOUR GRASS FOR WEEDS..

Answer 2

A big problem is that people don't read the manuals or cans and pick specific chemicals for specific weeds.  If you go to a good store, they will have a manual which shows all the diffr. kinds of weeds.  In general,people use "broadleaf" weed killer probably the most -- this is for weeds with wider leaves, like dandelions.  To use something like "round-up" it could kill your grass and maybe some bushes.  Some chemicals come in spray bottles already mixed, while others you have to mix yourself and/or attach the bottle to your garden hose.  You hould get special chemical-protection gloves to wear, and if spraying large areas, cover as much of your face as you can (espec. eyes and mouth).  And, always wash off with soap and water afterwards!  Even if using the easy spray bottles.

I would suggest you go into a good hardware or garden shop and talk to the staff, if you are a beginner -- espec. on a day that they are not too busy, so the can spend time with you.  You can bring in sample leaves of the plants if you dont know their names.

Answer 3

If you're not sure what types of weed are prevalent in your yard, clip a few of the different types you have and take them to your nearest garden center (I've done this).

Typically, there is a broad-spectrum product that addresses most weeds. You don't want to get too agressive because if you have grass, you'll kill it.

It's good to read the directions, don't over apply. More of the stuff is not necessarily the way to do it. Keep in mind, the environmental impact these herbicides make.  

Good luck!