Most cost efficient weedkiller?

[flyerdan]

I've got a 2.5 gal jug of the Home Depot stuff coming. Second order, as UPS damaged the first one in transit. Wish they carried this at the stores, had to order another additional item that I didn't really need to make up the free shipping minimum. Still, a tangible $8 item trumps $12 shipping.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

To answer the OP's question, goats.

 

[LMan1967]

To answer the OP's question, goats.

:laughing:

I read up for a while on getting goats to love kudzu.....:licking:


...haven't screwed up the courage to take the plunge yet, though.

 

[Pete Judd]

Here is a link to the stuff, but they put it on sale once and a while,GlyStar Original Herbicide Weed, Grass Killer

 

[Larry Caldwell]

But, as you know, glysophate kills everything...'broad-spectrum' doesn't begin to cover it. Be careful where you spray and which way the wind is blowing.

For broadleaf control, 2,4-D is pretty cheap and effective, and it won't kill grasses. For woody plant control, triclopyr (Garlon) is pretty popular. Crossbow is a mix of Garlon and 2,4-D, but like any name brand herbicide is more expensive. You can mix your own, 50/50 triclopyr and 2,4-D and it will do a great job on blackberries and underbrush without killing grasses. Spring is the is the time to apply broadleaf herbicides. They don't work well in the fall. Glyphosate will give better results in the fall.

And yes, be careful with 2,4-D around sensitive plants like grapes. 2,4-D is volatile, and a hot day will cook a fresh application back into the air, where it will drift with the wind. I know a farmer who severely damaged a vineyard next to his barley field. That was a very expensive mistake.

 

[JDgreen227]

My main use for weedkiller/grasskiller is for areas around buildings, driveways, walks and fences, plus a few flowerbeds and a garden plot thrown in. I don't so much have a problem with weeds as I do with quickgrass and crabgrass. Even straight 50% glyphosate doesn't seem to kill the underground roots of those two grasses.

 

[DKCDKC]

My county and others have special multi-flora eradication programs in which they give away coupons for Crossbow at better than 50 percent off. I've got a half gallon left from two gallons I got three years ago. I wonder how long it remains effective? Anyway, it might be worth it to check with local and state agencies to see if they have any programs that would cut the cost of a weedkiller.

 

[Marveltone]

The most cost effective weed killer I know of and use is vinegar. Cheap white vinegar with a tablespoon of salt and a squirt of dish detergent for every gallon. Costs $2.50/gal. Less if you can buy it in bulk or on sale. Use it full strength.

Warning: This is non-selective and kills everything. I use it to clear garden plots, and you can plant 24 hours after spraying. Best thing is it's much safer than most of the other chemicals and I feel a whole lot less concern about it contaminating ground water.

If I want to kill poison ivy and keep the grass, then I use 2,4-D, but for total weed and grass annihilation, I use the vinegar.

Joe

 

[murphy1244]

Anybody use pathfinder?

 

[beppington]

The most cost effective weed killer I know of and use is vinegar. Cheap white vinegar with a tablespoon of salt and a squirt of dish detergent for every gallon. Costs $2.50/gal. Less if you can buy it in bulk or on sale. Use it full strength.

Warning: This is non-selective and kills everything. I use it to clear garden plots, and you can plant 24 hours after spraying. Best thing is it's much safer than most of the other chemicals and I feel a whole lot less concern about it contaminating ground water.

If I want to kill poison ivy and keep the grass, then I use 2,4-D, but for total weed and grass annihilation, I use the vinegar.

Joe

Containers of glyphosate (aka RoundUp) concentrate mentioned in this thread can be readily obtained for significantly less than that.

By your figures, my 25 gallon sprayer full of weed killer would've cost me $62.50 (25 x $2.50), whereas I only paid $50 or $55 for the entire 2.5 gallons (320 ounces) of concentrate, & I only used somewhere between 10 & 20 ounces of the concentrate for my 25 gallon mix (can't remember exactly how much now).