The topic of herbicides can illicit mixed feelings in gardener , with many preferring a chemical - free approach . Important factors such as time restraint and stubborn weed or alien flora infestations may push a gardener to weigh the pros and cons of using herbicides . Whenused properly , herbicide have plenty of welfare , but those benefit can be reaped only when label instructions are followed exactly ; to do otherwise is dangerous and illegal .
Pros of Using Herbicides
Less Labor and Time
Pulling weeds manually can be physically wearing , and it may not be a feasible option for elderly people or someone with disabilities or health problems . Also , pulling weeds eats up time that otherwise could be spent doing more enjoyable tasks . In comparability , using weedkiller takes less work and metre .
Better Control of Difficult-to-Remove Plants
Perennial weeds can be more difficult to control by hand - pull them than by using herbicide on them because failure to rive all of the roots often ensue in the plants grow back . liaison with common poisonous plant such as poison common ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans ) should be minimized as much as possible , which the utilization of herbicide on them accomplishes . Poison common ivy is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 3 through 10 .
Cons of Using Herbicides
Toxicity
herbicide depart in toxicity from gently toxic to extremely toxicant . Even * * organic weedkiller * * are not without risk : constitutional herbicides that containacetic acidin a concentration higher than 5 percent can make severe eye and cutis scathe ; acetic back breaker is in vinegar . Gardeners should wear protective clothing , such as long - sleeved shirts , long bloomers , air-sleeve , skid and pencil eraser glove , when applying herbicides , and they also may need safety glasses or goggles . Herbicides must be stored in a cool , dry locating away from children and pets .
Limited Organic Options
Only a few organic herbicides are available to house gardener . precaution still must be taken with organic weedkiller : At high concentrations , even seemingly benignant ingredients such assaltandboraxcan damage grime to the full point that nothing will grow .
Damage to Desirable Plants
If apply raffishly or during windy conditions , non - selective herbicidesthat drift from a fair game plant can damage or kill worthy plant . That is because non - selective herbicides kill all kinds of plants . Non - selective weed killer must be applied with heavy aid , ideally when wind speeds arefewer than 5 miles per hour .
Potential for Environmental Harm
Even though most weed killer have a low-down perniciousness voltage for fish and invertebrates when introduced to bodies of water supply via overflow , they can make acute perniciousness in nautical animals if deliberately or circumstantially dump into bodies of water . Unused weed killer must be qualify of according to the operating instructions listed on their labels .
Research Necessary
No " one - size of it - fits - all " weedkiller exists , and choose the good herbicide requires research . unlike herbicides are used to control different plants at different stages of maturation . Selective herbicides , for model , are effective against only sure mintage of plant whilepre - emerging herbicidesare useful only on plants that have n’t emerged from the soil yet . Using the untimely herbicides finish up being meter - consuming , expensive and potentially harmful . Read an herbicide ’s label cautiously to assure that herbicide will perform the labor you expect .
For additional data on herbicides , see " About Herbicides . "
Herbicides For Corn
Herbicides used before planting can regale pot already grown as well as prevent new weeds from sprouting . S - metolachlor is incorporate into the soil at a ratio of about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per acre . Several weed killer will facilitate control weed while you are planting the corn . Once you have planted the corn whiskey , weeds may begin to sprout , causing the corn to compete for full of life nutrients in the soil . Dicamba can not be used on scented corn whiskey , but can be used on popcorn and ornamental Indian corn such as cutie pops corn ( Zea mays " Cutie soda water " ) and must be use on a day when temperatures will not reach 85 degrees or higher . Dicamba , diflufenzopyr and 2,4 - D may require a license for use from your county agricultural commissioner .
References
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