Spraying lawn for weeds.

[Alan0043]

I need to spray my lawn for weeds before the weeds have a complete take over. My lawn is yellow, not green,that is how much the dandelions have taken over. My question is. What is the best or most effective material that I can use to spray on my lawn ? How often does one spray ? I would need to spray about 3 1/2 acres. When is the best time to spray ?

 

[beenthere]

Spray something with 2-4D like Weed-B-Gon, when there is at least a day of no rain that follows, twice a year (May and Sept).

I spray with a 30 gal tank and 12v pump, and a 6 ft boom. I mix 1.5 qt of Weed-B-Gon and 1.5 qt of Amine 400 to 30 gal of water. I get very good results on dandelions, thistles, creeping charlie (that is a tough one), and dock. Also keeps the clover in check.

Recently I've heard it's best to spray when the weather is warm (80°) but a week and half ago I sprayed when the temp was 60+° and threatening rain, and had a great kill on the dandelions. If you see them curl within 24 hours, you likely got em.

I find a fall spraying really helps keep the dandelions in check, as there are very few to spray in the spring. But not keeping up with the program of twice a year, will give them a good foothold that takes a while to get back to nice grass and no weeds. I spray about 8 acres.

 

[Alan0043]

beenthere, Thanks for the info. Can I buy Amine 400 at TSC ? What size jets do you use on your sprayer ? Are they TeeJet spray tips ? I need to build a sprayer boom and I want to get the right spray tips. I was thinking about using 4 spray tips on 20" spacing. I have a 25 gallon spot sprayer that I bought from Northern Tool. That is the sprayer that I would put the spray boom on. Thanks for your help.

 

[beenthere]

TSC should have the Amine 400 (or an equivalent sometimes called brush spray).
The tips on mine are old and brass, but recently someone mentioned tips that would not operate unless over 10psi. I am going to look into those.

About 20" apart is what mine are, on a boom that is about 12" above the ground (across the front of my Deere X485 tractor)..

 

[Bowhunter]

I use LV400 2-4-D, 2 ounces per 1 gallon of water. I made my boom myself with Tee-Jet tips (don't remember the number) spaced approx. 18". I use a 25 gallon sprayer with the boom approx. 12" above the ground. Attached is a pic of how I currently spray. I one day plan to build a frame for the sprayer to use it on the 3 point of my tractor. I've strapped it to my carry-all, but then the boom sticks too far out back and if you start up a bank you run the risk of the boom hitting ground.

 

[tomnky]

TeeJet has the info for nozzle spacing and the optimum boom height depending on which tips You have. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[cwarrix]

I too use LV400, works great if you do it a couple of times a year. I have dropped behind and the weeds are starting to take over again /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Also, watch out for the flowers!! I try to spray very early in the morning, just after sun up. That way there is very little wind, and it is easy to see my tracks in the dew. Did I mention to watch out for the flower... don't ask how I know /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[beenthere]

I tried to pick up some of the 'jets' that were mentioned that open above 10psi and the FarmFleet people didn't know anything about them. Anyone have a source? Thanks

I custom built my spray rig, to initially sidedress roundup along 3500 hand planted trees. I built it with 4 nozzles on a front bar, that could be used as one, two, three, or four independently, going left to right only.

A pic is attached. Having the boom in front doesn't give me any appreciable overspray unless it is windy, which isn't a good idea to spray then anyway. It gives me great control and view of where and what I am spraying. The AWS drive works well for this too.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Agri-Supply...1/2" line size Single hose, #32515, $4.49 ea. Double hose, #32516, $4.49 ea.....(1-800-345-0169)

 

[philc]

I'm also looking to get a sprayer for the same application. Can anyone give a ballpark figure on how much lawn acreage can be covered using a "normal" mix of LV400 and either a 15 or 25 gallon sprayer?