Which weedkiller?

[Novice Gardener]

After speaking to the site rep at my new lottie last night, he has recommended I use weedkiller to get rid of all the nastys, then dig the ground over to remove the weed roots, then get it rotivated...... easy till I went in B&Q and saw there were zillions (well not literally) of different weedkillers and I'm not sure which one to use. I'm aiming to get the ground cleared and at least a couple of beds dug over and ready to plant up in the next couple of weeks, so I need something thats ok with being planted on.

[HeyWayne]

After speaking to the site rep at my new lottie last night, he has recommended I use weedkiller to get rid of all the nastys, then dig the ground over to remove the weed roots, then get it rotivated...... easy till I went in B&Q and saw there were zillions (well not literally) of different weedkillers and I'm not sure which one to use. I'm aiming to get the ground cleared and at least a couple of beds dug over and ready to plant up in the next couple of weeks, so I need something thats ok with being planted on.

Glyphosate.

I buy this form my local garden centre when I run out of digging time: GLYPHOSATE CONCENTRATE WEEDKILLER 350ML on eBay, also Weeds, Weed Pest Control, Garden Plants, Home Garden (end time 30-May-08 00:37:33 BST)

[Farmer_Gyles]

i use weedol - it does seem to kill off everything it touches, including 3ft tall thistle things - allow time for the weedkiller to get down to the roots, then dig over to get the big roots out, and then plant out - works ok for me ........

oh yeah - as you're on allotments, whatever you use, use a watering can rather than a spray so it doesn't blow onto neighbouring allotments and kill off their veggies

[Novice Gardener]

Thanks you two much appreciated

[Novice Gardener]

HeyWayne, how much ground could I expect to cover with one of those 350ml packs?

[Matt.]

I use the B&Q complete. The one with a yellow label not the blue one otherwise you won't be growing anything!!

This is the cheapest and also has the same concentration as the big name brands. You can buy the concentrate if you already have a sprayer and it works out much cheaper. I've always sprayed not watered with a can. Normally you can tweak the spay nozzle to get a heavier spray rather than a fine mist that can blow around. I'd also suggest the heavy spray so it doesn't go on you or hang in the air which you might breathe in.

Finally I wouldn't dig it by hand once dead - just rotovate after a few weeks. Search for a thread by PigletWillie thats shows how successful this method is.

[HeyWayne]

HeyWayne, how much ground could I expect to cover with one of those 350ml packs?

I usually buy the litre version (about £20) and it covers pretty much the whole allotment (11-18mtrs), but then I've got long legs and can move pretty quick...

Best to use it on a still dry day and as FG pointed out, using a watering can is far more considerate to neighbours. Make sure you rinse out the can after use - or better still use one for weedkiller and the other for watering.

I dig as much as I can, but it's good to have in the arsenal for those times when you simply don't have time.

As far as I know, glyphosate turns inert on contact with soil, but it's still a chemical I guess.

Roundup contains glyphosate I think, but being high profile brand, it's a little more expensive than the bog standard stuff, and in my experience not much difference (if any) in performance.

[Novice Gardener]

Thanks everyone

[HeyWayne]

Oh, and speaking of watering cans, have one on hand just in case you do accidentally spray something unintentionally (yours or someone elses), you can give it a good rinse straight away.

[Matt.]

As far as I know, glyphosate turns inert on contact with soil, but it's still a chemical I guess.

There are certainatly concerns about the stuff but nothing confirmed. As I understand the chemical stays in the soil for up to two years but it binds with the clay moecule meaning it doesn't affect new plants. Gradually it breaks down. Also I think some of the concerns are around the other chemicals in the mix not just the glyhosate which is only a small percentage. Unfortuantely I don't know much about these.

[snuffer]

Weed Killer

Oh, and speaking of watering cans, have one on hand just in case you do accidentally spray something unintentionally (yours or someone elses), you can give it a good rinse straight away.

A brilliant tip. Like HayWayne I also use Glyphosate. It works but needs time to do its stuff. I do use a sprayer but add food colourant to the solution so that I can see exactly where I'm spraying and keep an eye on drift.

I know lots of people will disaprove of using chemicals but once the plot is clear there should be no need to resort to them again in the future.