?? about getting rid of weeds?

EmileeMc

Can u spray or sprinkle weed killer around exsisting flowers and plants...or will the weed killer kill my flowers too?  I have tons of weeds butting right up next to my flowers, esp roses and iris's, but I don't want to kill those flowers by putting weeding killer around them.   any suggestions!

 

thanks

 

strangebird

It is very likely you will kill all of the plants, not just the "weeds." For the record: a weed is any plant that grows where you don't want it to. So, the plant you call a weed might be a plant I deliberately cultivate. That's why weed killers are a poor substitute for periodic weeding and mulching.

Every square inch of your garden soil contains the seeds of "weeds." It's only the top two-inches (and in very warm areas the third) that receive enough light to germinate. Your best solution is to pull the weeds, being sure to get as much of the root as possible and then mulch, being sure to lay down enough mulch to keep the light from penetrating into your soil.

TarHeels&Rebels

Round-Up is non-selective - it doesn't distinguish between good and bad (or rather, wanted and unwanted).  You have to be very careful when using it.  Round-Up also works through the leaves only, not roots, so if you aim carefully, you can just remove the undesirables.

Truly, though, in a crowded bed, it's best just to hand-weed.

I don't know of any granule that kills existing weeds.  Preen is only a preventative.