Roundup Weed & Grass Killer..Round 'Em Up And Weed "Em Out!
Written: Jun 18 '03 (Updated Jun 18 '03)
Product Rating:
Pros: Effective
Cons: Cost, environmental concerns for some consumers
The Bottom Line: Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer is a highly effective and volatile product that used correctly will lighten your weeding chores.
lllopez's Full Review: Roundup Concentrate Weed and Grass Killer: Roundup...
Keeping up with errant weeds and unwanted grass is a job that will keep you occupied throughout the growing season. In the days of old, one would pull out the hand clippers (ouch) and get on all fours and spend a few days attending to weeding only to start up once more after the whole thing was done. Thankfully over the years we have seen products developed to make our weeding jobs around the house made a little easier. Such a product is Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer.
Application
Best results for application would be a pump tank sprayer or some of the more popular dial hand sprayers. My weapon of choice has always been the Pump Tank sprayer as I can have a little more control over the spray area ad insure good results, every time. The Manufacturer suggests 2 ½ oz per gallon for dispersing Roundup Weed & Grass Killer. More will not yield better results and cost the same. Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer is most effective is used according to manufacturers guidelines. According to Monsanto the best results are achieved if you target use while your weeds and grasses are actively growing and the weather is above 60º F, as this facilitates absorption from the weed surface to its root systems delivering the lethal product to the heart of the weed or grass. Care should be taken to insure surrounding desirable plants and flowers do not get hit with over spray from your chosen delivery system. Utilizing a little ingenuity, you can mask off those wanted plantings with a cardboard mask and assure safe application. Be warned however, that once sprayed, plants and grass will start to die; there is no washing Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer off ..its a done deal. So exercise care and good planning when using this product. Spot weeding is not a good application of Roundup as it will kill surrounding desirable grasses. You should plan to have your spraying completed within 17 days of harvesting fruits and nut trees.
Once targeted, weeds and grasses should be thoroughly wet. Generally in the heat of a summer morning you will achieve really good results. Generally speaking if all conditions are favorable you can start to see results in less than 24 hours, with a complete kill in one to two weeks. I have experienced that most broadleaf weeds take the longest time to fully kill, sometimes requiring a second application. For the most part though, the manufacturer has done its homework regarding kill times. Popular uses include around fences, trees, along driveways to lessen trimming chores. Among some of the other types of growth you can attack are Bamboo, Tree stumps and vines. For those who need to know, Bamboo should be cut as low to the ground as possible and pour 1tbs of Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer into the hollow stem of the plant. Results should be visible with 14 days. Tree stumps should be trimmed as low to the ground as possible and 5 holes should be drilled into the remaining stump. Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer should then be poured straight, undiluted into these holes. I found that when dealing with harder wood trees, a second application is necessary to kill the stump to the point where it can be removed.
Lawn replacement is the one area where Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer really shines. Unlike other products like Ortho, you can replant your lawn after only 7 days of the last application. The manufacturer recommends skipping the last scheduled mowing before applying to longer grass. The longer blades simply allow Roundup larger surface area to attack the root system and work more effectively. It is a misconception to cut before applying hoping to gain access to the root system quicker. Application for grass removal is quite effective and because of the quick turnaround time desirable. You can generally figure a ½ gallon will take care of approximately 7800 sq.ft.
Safety Concerns
Because of the volatile nature of this product, careful handling is essential. Keep children and pets away from treated areas, do not apply while they are present. Keep this product from entering your eyes with safety glasses, and do not breath it in. Reading warning labels, manufacturers would have us applying chemicals we use and take for granted everyday, in HazMat suits. The fact of the matter is many of us use these materials carelessly and pay for it dearly later on. Use your discretion, but understand these are serious materials ad should be treated as such. Environmentally, care should be exercised around swimming pools, lawn ponds and other bodies of water.
Web Presence
The website, www.roundup.com is an informative resource for other Roundup products, gardening FYI, FAQ, video quick tips and lawn care advice.
Conclusion
Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer is an effective alternative to the many ways I can think of ridding your lawn of errant weeds and grasses. Pump tank delivered you need to get close to your (4-6 inches) work as the spray has a tendency to blow into the atmosphere, so a long wand on your tank will lessen back strain. Application is waterproof after two hours so go ahead and apply before a rainfall, just allow 2 hours. Results are no different than when applying on dry days. Care is absolutely stressed in handling Roundup.
While researching this review I came upon a site www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.html that appears to have quite a bit of derogatory environmental information on Monsanto. There are at least 10 articles concerning Roundup that can be of concern. This may or may not have significant impact as to whether you use this product, but its broad subject matter may make it a good point of reference for certain consumers. The Monsanto site cross-references the Scotts site and vise versa. I didnt take the time to formally research the connection, but it appears they are related companies for additional research resources.
Lawn and garden formulation. Broad-spectrum, nonselective, systemic weed and grass killer. Translocates through the plant to kill roots and all to con...More at eBay
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