Removal of weed (or weeding) is done before weeds flower because if they flower they will also produce seeds and finally result in the dispersal of the seeds which makes it difficult to control the weeds because each seed will produce a new weed plant.
The best time of year to use weed killer is Spring, followed by Fall. Spring is an effective time for catching weeds in their pre-growth season, in order to prevent them from sprouting. Fall is similarly effective because, ahead of the Winter, this is when weeds are most vulnerable.
Weeds compete with the crop plants for all essential requirements like water, nutrients, space and light and reduce the growth of crop in various ways. Hence it is important to remove weeds from the cultivated field in early stage of the crop in order to get a high yield of the crop.
Weeding is required since it affects plant growth as well as the nutrients delivered to the soil. Weeds fight with the main plant not just for space, but also for water and nutrients.
Removing weeds throughout the gardening season means fewer to manage next year. These unwanted plants also serve as host for a variety of insects and diseases. Keeping them out of the garden can help reduce the risk of these pests infecting our desirable plants.
Prevent Seeding
This is the most important step that can be taken to eliminate weeds. Winter weeds should therefore preferably be eliminated before summer arrives and they have the chance to seed.
In both the burndown and in-crop studies, the most effective timing was usually midday, followed by midnight. Coles says, “Since night spraying was usually more effective than dawn, night spraying could be a good option when daytime opportunities for spraying are limited.”
Spring and early fall are the two best times to treat weeds. Grass is obviously dormant in winter, but it can also go through another dormant period in summer during an extended period of dry weather.
They store nutrients in their roots and re-grow each year from the roots or seed. Hand-pulling is not as successful because perennials are often stimulated from root or stem disturbances. By hand-pulling, perennial weeds may be encouraged to grow bigger and stronger than before.
The best time to weed is right after it rains, when the soil is moist and loose. In drought conditions, the soil is tight and doesn't give up weeds readily. Sometimes just watering the morning before you weed can make all the difference in making the task much easier.
The most effective homemade option is a mixture of white vinegar, salt, and liquid dish soap. Each of these ingredients has special properties that combine to kill weeds. Both the salt and the vinegar contain acetic acid, which serves to dry out and kill the plants.
Research shows PPO herbicides more effective at midday. Summary: Some herbicides are more effective when applied at noon compared to early morning or late evening applications, new research indicates. Researchers say the results have long-term implications for weed management.
University studies show crop weed herbicide applications made early in the morning when the winds not blowing typically gives much less control than that same application later in the day.
Weeds love to sprout after it rains, which is why waiting for dry conditions is ideal. Waiting for rain-free days also ensures that Mother Nature won't wash away any of the product before it goes to work on the weed.
They Can House Pests
Weeds can also house pests, which can further kill your plants. Pests use weeds as a home and shelter, so if you have weeds, you'll likely have pests. If you're gardening, if you don't weed and let the plants sit over the winter, then come spring, you might have an infestation of pests.
Weed when the soil is wet and soft. Pull weeds soon after watering your plants or a rain shower; when the soil is moist, the whole weed is more likely to come out by the roots. It's perfectly fine to put pulled weeds in your compost bin, where the naturally hot temperatures will destroy any seeds.
Never till soil when it is wet or you'll end up with cloddy, compacted soil. Hand pulling works well in small gardens and raised beds. Pull when the soil is damp, but not wet. Try to get to annual weeds before they go to seed or you'll get a whole new crop.
Dish soap is used as a surfactant, both when washing dishes and applying herbicide to plants. While it might effectively remove grease and food from plates, dish soap probably should not be the “go-to” surfactant for herbicides.
Although spraying Roundup® For Lawns on your weeds is quite satisfying, resist the urge to do it too much. It works so well; one application is usually all you need to kill a weed. And some weeds can take as long as three weeks to die. If it's still hanging in there in two weeks, give it another spray.
Temperatures in the low 90s or above can hinder herbicide uptake. Wait a few days for things to cool off to protect your corn from weeds and added stress. Avoid spraying herbicides, if possible, when temperatures surpass 90 degrees.
Do not water right after applying a weed killer. Wait a minimum of two days before watering.
Yes, you can spray Roundup at night and successfully kill weeds. Many experts recommend doing this on an evening with low winds, so your product can seep into the weed you apply it to.
Application in the early morning or at nighttime makes it much easier for sprays to penetrate the plant canopy. During the early morning, dew on the folded leaves is an additional benefit.
When equal amounts were given orally and compared, it took less acetic acid to kill rats in the laboratory test that it did glyphosate. The acetic acid in even household vinegar was MORE toxic than Roundup!
Using Bleach to Kill Weeds Permanently
Apply one cup of bleach, undiluted, to the afflicted area. Wait until the weeds turn brown before pulling them out of the ground. Run water around the area to flush the bleach, especially if you are trying to grow plants or grass in that area.