The headache of almost every gardener or gardener every season is weeds. Weeding, hilling and loosening do not always help to cope with them, and these processes take a lot of time and energy. That is why the owners of gardens most often turn to the help of means for weed control - the so-called herbicides. Today we will talk about how to enjoy ecologically clean products grown by our own hands, and most importantly, protect them from the effects of weeds, which take away most of their nutrients and moisture from them. Our article is about the best remedies for weeds with an indication of their advantages and disadvantages.
Weed danger
Weed plants are one of the worst enemies of all cultivated plants, along with diseases and pests. Weeds appear with the beginning of spring, develop and multiply throughout the vegetative period, which is inconvenient. Their main source is, of course, soil. Some seeds are constantly in the ground, waiting for the onset of favorable conditions, some weeds fall into the soil with fertilizers of organic type. Therefore, buy seedlings, seeds and fertilizers only in proven places to be sure of their processing and high quality.
Parasitic plants not only take away most of the fertilizing, nutrients and moisture from cultivated crops, but also reduce their productivity due to the release of toxic substances into the soil. And weeds are an ideal place for the development of harmful insects. That is why every gardener is concerned about cleaning his plot of weeds for the longest possible time, since it is impossible to get rid of them forever.
The main ways to get rid of parasite plants
As you know, weeds not only harm cultivated plants, but also have a high degree of survival and adaptation to adverse conditions (frost, drought, high humidity, mechanical damage). Therefore, getting rid of them is rather difficult. There are several basic weed control methods:
- Mechanical. Weeding is the cheapest and most common method, but at the same time the most time-consuming. And even the most thorough and frequent weeding will not save the site from parasitic plants for a long time.
- Mulching - covering the surface of the soil near the plant with a layer of hay, bark, peat, pebbles or gravel, nutshells and much more. This method not only slows the development of weeds, but also helps to retain moisture and nutrients in the soil.
- The chemical way is to use weed control. A much simpler and more effective method of control, which allows you to get rid of some types of weeds forever.
Benefits of a Chemical Weed Control Method
Since in this article we talk about the best remedies for weeds, in this section we propose to familiarize yourself with the main advantages of their use:
- minimal use of manual labor;
- reasonable cost;
- high efficiency and long-term exposure;
- increase crop yields;
- the ability to apply some drugs directly to the soil along with fertilizers;
- soil moisture preservation.
Herbicide classification
The two main types of weed control are selective and continuous. Selective ones act selectively on certain cultures. Continuous herbicides have a detrimental effect on absolutely all plants. Basically, their mechanism of action is based on the penetration of greenery into the cell membranes, their destruction, which leads to the death of the weed.
The chemical composition of the herbicides can be either organic or inorganic. There is also a separation of drugs by the period of their use:
- before emergence of shoots;
- after emergence of shoots;
- universal - are used in any period of vegetation.
Herbicides are soil and leaf. The former adversely affect the seeds and roots of the weed, while the latter affect the leaves and stems. The release form is most often powder or in the form of granules. However, some drugs are available as a suspension or solution. Continuous herbicides are divided into:
- Contact. Particularly toxic drugs prohibited for use in a private home. Affect the leaves and stems of the plant after direct contact with them, leading to partial death of the weed. The roots of the plant remain unaffected, which leads to the further development of the parasite plant.
- Systemic Their mechanism of action is the penetration of weed into the vascular system, through which the drug spreads to all parts of the plant. In this case, the plant dies completely, since not only the aboveground part is affected, but also the root system, even if it is especially powerful.
Remedy for weeds "Roundup"
The mechanism of action of this drug is based on the destruction of chloroplasts and the deterioration of photosynthesis of weeds. Due to the destruction of the EPSPS enzyme, the growth of the weed slows down - its leaves turn yellow and fall, and the plant itself completely dies. The main active ingredient of this weed control is glyphosate. It penetrates the structure of leaves and stems in 5-6 hours, but in the case of trees, a slightly longer period is required.
The result of the drug is noticeable already 3-4 days after treatment. Complete death of the weed occurs within 8-10 days. The duration of the Roundup exposure lasts about a month, after which, in some cases, re-treatment is required. Also, this period is affected by weather conditions and a variety of weed plants. The decomposition of the drug in the soil occurs in 3-6 weeks. Means for the destruction of weeds completely decomposes into water, ammonia and carbon dioxide due to the work of microorganisms contained in the soil. Most reviews of this drug say that this is one of the best remedies of its kind, but its effect does not apply to wheat grass.
Weed remedy "Tornado"
This drug is considered one of the most popular and affordable. The mechanism of its work is deep penetration into a weed plant in order to block the synthesis of amino acids. The ground part of the plant dies almost completely, while the underground part is significantly damaged. However, the Tornado does not harm the seeds. Complete infection occurs literally in a couple of hours, but the first signs of weed disease are noticeable only after 5-7 days, when it turns yellow and fades. Complete death occurs within two to three weeks.
If we rely on reviews about the remedy for weeds, then its main advantage is harmlessness to cultivated plants - decomposition in the soil occurs in a month, and after 4-5 days after the treatment of the site, you can carry out the planned planting. The manufacturer stated that the drug is able to destroy more than 150 different weeds. But as real reviews show, there are parasite plants that are not amenable to its effects. According to experienced gardeners, the “Tornado” copes well with dandelions and wheat grass, but only a little yellow turns to sleep, not dying completely.
However, if the concentration specified in the instructions for weed control is not observed, the root system of the parasite plants remains unaffected, which leads to the resumption of their growth.
Universal herbicide "Lapis"
The active substance of this drug is metribuzin, which inhibits the processes of photosynthesis, which leads to the death of weeds. Most often, this weed control is used to protect potatoes and tomatoes. One or two treatments for the whole season are enough to get rid of harmful plants. The main advantage of "Lazurite" is the complete absence of harmful properties in relation to cultivated plants - the drug does not accumulate in the soil and their cell membranes. And the combination of a low price with the highest efficiency (after treatment with this product, weed germination does not appear again) makes Lapis lazuli an almost indispensable weed control.
Features of the use of chemicals
Of no small importance is the weather in which you plan to carry out the treatment — it must be absolutely calm. Even a weak wind at a speed of about 5 km / h can spread the weed control to cultivated plants, which will lead to their death. Do not start processing if rain clouds are approaching. The drug should be on the surface of the weeds for at least 4-5 hours, and with precipitation it will immediately wash off and will not have time to absorb.
The presence of dew, which dilutes the preparations, and a layer of dust, which prevents better penetration into the structure of the plant, negatively affect the action of weed control. Therefore, it is best to wait until the end of rainy weather and let the plants dry before processing.
Do not dilute the drug too much in fear of negative effects on the soil - a weak solution will not destroy the weed, but the herbicide is removed from the soil after a couple of weeks.
Security measures
When working with weed control products, it should be understood that herbicides are very powerful chemicals. Direct contact with the skin, mucous membranes and into the body of a person or animal is very dangerous. Therefore, proceeding to the processing of the site, prepare items for personal protection. Be sure to wear rubber boots, a respirator, high rubber gloves and clothing that completely covers the body.