Broadleaf weed killers are by far the most useful weed spray we can apply to our lawns for weed control, being capable of killing many different types of weeds with a single product, often in a single application. In fact if we have a lawn full of different weeds then a broadleaf weed spray is the very first place to begin to eradicate most of the weeds that are present; after which we may then need to look at specialised weed killers for any other remaining weeds still present.
Broadleaf herbicides are selective weed killers, meaning they can be sprayed onto the entire surface of a lawn, to target only the weeds while not affecting the lawn. Though overuse of such a product on our lawns too frequently may result in unhealthy lawns, which could take a very long time to recover, and may possibly even cause death to parts of a lawn if applied too heavily or too frequently.
Many of the more common weeds which invade lawns can be treated with a broadleaf weed spray. Weeds such as catsear, clover, bindii, cape weed, dandelions, oxalis, and many many of the weaker weeds too will all be wiped out with a broadleaf weed spray.
Tougher weed types, especially those such as Oxalis may require several treatments to eradicate.
Buffalo Grass Warning
The active ingredient in many broadleaf weed killers is a product called Dicamba. This ingredient is not suitable for use on Buffalo lawns, as it can result in serious lawn damage or even death to the lawn, though the same product is very safe for use of other lawn types such as Couch.
Buffalo safe weed killers will always be labelled clearly as meant for Buffalo lawns, usually with the word Buffalo in the name of the product.
Make no mistake, THIS IS NOT A MARKETING TRICK, and if we have a Buffalo lawn then we MUST purchase a weed killer that is clearly labelled as safe for use of Buffalo lawns.
Be sure to read the label carefully before purchase to ensure that your lawn type is safe to have the product you are considering used on it.
One product for use on Buffalo lawns is Yates Buffalo Pro
A Broadleaf Weed Spray By Any Other Name
Not all broadleaf weed herbicides will be labelled so clearly as such, oftentimes the label may simply read Buffalo Pro, or Bindii and Clover killer, Bin-Die, Kleen Lawn etc. This may be done for marketing reasons whereby homeowners may most frequently be seeking a weed killer for bindii for example, and so the label of a product can be easily recognisable as being the correct product for use, even though that same product is capable of and will kill many different weed types in the same application to the lawn.
General Guidelines For Using Broadleaf Weed Sprays
Always follow manufacturers recommendations for application rates, times of year for application, interval times between applications, and for the best temperature application times.
What follows is only general advice, to be considered AFTER following manufacturers guidelines. Should the advice differ in any way, be sure to follow the manufacturers advice over what is here.
As these products are applied to an entire lawn surface, we need to be careful as to how we use them so that the lawn itself is not affected by what is essentially still a herbicide, which by its very nature is designed to kill plants, even though such weed sprays are targeted to specific weed types.
Never mow a lawn one week BEFORE weed spraying. This ensures the fresh cut grass can heal its wounds from lawn mowing, so that the herbicide cannot enter into the lawn itself. Should we spray too soon after lawn mowing then the herbicide can enter the lawn through these cuts and cause possible severe damage to the lawn.
Never mow a lawn one week AFTER weed spraying. This is to ensure that as much of the weed spray stays on the leaves of the weeds for as long as possible, so that the weed treatment is therefore as effective as possible.
Weed spraying should be avoided on hot days, and when the lawn is under stress from drought etc, or in otherwise poor condition.
Know your lawn variety, and be sure to choose a weed spray which is safe for your lawn type.
Fertilising Before Weed Spraying
Fertilising lawns before weed spraying is a very good idea, as the fertiliser gets the lawn growing so as to help it outcompete weeds and to be stronger during application of herbicides, and besides it’s just good for the lawn’s health.
Fertilising is also good to get the weeds growing too. This may sound odd but it is not. When the weeds are well fed and healthy they will also naturally take in even more of the herbicide we have applied to them. This makes the weed killer even more effective in taking out even more weeds.
A quick look at manufacturers websites will often tell us not to use fertiliser a week before applying a broadleaf herbicide. Follow this advice. In fact it would be best to completely avoid slow release fertilisers in this instance, as well as granular fertilisers too, as they will still be present in the thatch layer of the lawn when we go to spray for weeds.
With these things in mind it may be best to instead use a hose-on fertiliser product perhaps two weeks prior to weed spraying. Being sure NOT to use a weed and feed hose-on product.
Seasol make a wonderful hose on fertiliser which may be beneficial in this instance Seasol Hose On Fertiliser
Broadleaf Weed Sprays Will Not Kill All Weeds
Broadleaf weed killers will not treat all lawn types, and sometimes repeat applications may be necessary. Some weed types which will need to be treated with a specialised weed spray are these:
Wintergrass will need a special herbicide which acts on the roots of the weeds Amgrow Wintergrass Killer
Paspalum needs a special herbicide which is not safe to use for all lawn types Amgrow Paspalum Killer
Guildford grass is just nasty and tough and may need digging out or treatment with Glyphosate.
Sedges like Nutgrass and Mullumbimby Couch are also very tough, and these too will need their own herbicide type. Amgrow Sedgehammer Herbicide
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