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CanYouFixItMom? · 04-20-2009, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the idea, Gardner. makes so much sense, I'm sure we're all wondering why we didn't try it in the first place....lol. I have a toddler that loves to be outside, but has been stuck in for a whole week because of Weed and Feed, then Weed B Gone attempts making the yard unsafe. Dandelions looked sad for a day or two, now they are laughing at me....and growing happily. Will try your idea!

DaveyDIY · 04-20-2009, 07:52 PM

I use the Scott's program - especially in the front yard
I pull dandelions & use weed killer
Between the 2 my front yard is almost dandelion free
Each year I get a few that try to grow
I spot them & pull

This year I will be starting on the back yard since the construction is done & hopefully will not be driving my truck out back

One of the best things is feeding your lwan so that it thickens & prevents seeds from growing

But as long as you hav eeven a little bit of dirt & have any wind, then you will get new seed blown in

**asbestos** · 04-21-2009, 05:52 AM

don't bother with half measures

Raminator · 04-25-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gardner

The trouble with Weed-N-Feed or any similar weed killer/fertilizer combination is that very little of the weed killer gets to the dandelion tap root to completely kill the plant. If you have flowers and ornamental trees in you yard, they will get a high dose of the Weed-N-Feed, and suffer as a result. Also children and pets will be exposed to a lawn spread over by chemicals.
Spot spraying with any non-selective herbicide like Roundup will not only kill the dandelion, but the grass as well, leaving you with dead spots all over your lawn.
Spot spraying with a weed killer designated for lawn use like Weed-B-Gon kills the top foliage, but the tap root usually survives, with a new healthy dandelion back in a few weeks.
So the solution I have found that works is a two step process which involves using both hands for a one-two punch.
In your right hand hold a "weed digger" (that fork shaped hand tool) to lift the dandelion plant and about 1/2 inch of the top of the tap root out of the ground.
In your left hand hold a plastic sprayer filled with Weed-B-Gon. Spray a little (less than a teaspoon) into that small hole that you just lifted the dandelion plant out of. All the weed killer is directed right at the tap root to kill it.
Yes, you'll also have to later go around and pick up the pulled dandelions, but the effect on your lawn will be immediate, before those yellow flowers have turned into the seed machines that will spread throughout your lawn.
An added benefit is that you've used a minimum amount of chemicals on the lawn.

Would you recommend this 1-2 knockout with roundup? I just bought two gallons of the stuff at my Home Depot. Stuff kills EVERYTHING!

**kok328** · 05-16-2009, 05:36 PM

Sounds like an opportunity to have a nice salad and make some dandelion wine.

Someonewhoknows · 10-13-2011, 01:07 PM

Dandelions are a deep rooted perennial, as are most perennials. You can spray herbicide on them any time you like and it will kill the plant ABOVE GROUND. But it will not kill the root and the weed will re-grow. The only way to kill dandelions and other perennial weeds is to spray them in the fall. During the fall perennials are making “food” and moving it to their roots to store for the upcoming winter when they cannot make “food.” If you spray them in the fall, they will move the herbicide into their root as well and it will kill the weed AND its ROOT. 2-4-D is the best herbicide to use and you should spray it in mid September through late October. You can use a high rate of 2-4-D as it will not hurt your grass. You need to do this EVERY year as there will be dandelion SEEDS that the spray will not kill that will germinate next spring and start new weeds. Spray on a sunny day when the lawn is dry. Contact herbicides need dry foliage. If you go to a lawn and garden store you will not find a product called 2-4-D. You need to read the label for the ACTIVE INGREDIANTS. Farmers, which I am, know it as 2-4-D. Stores that sell to homeowners sell products named various names, including WEED-BE-GONE and other NAMES. Most lawn care companies do not spray the right chemical, or more often do not spray it at the right time. Insist that they spray after mid September and before the last of October and only on a sunny day and after the grass has dried out from the dew or a previous night rainfall. Depending on when you receive your first HARD FREEZE, the October date can move later; even into the last of November. But if you want to be sure the mid September to last of October dates will be your best bet. Just make sure it’s a sunny day and your grass is dry to the touch before it is sprayed.

BridgeMan · 10-15-2011, 10:54 PM

Get a goat. They love dandelions, and won't kill the grass like sheep will.

spenser · 04-14-2013, 11:43 AM

I work for Kroger. We are the largest floral in the country. We do not buy or sell people dandelions.

**oldognewtrick** · 04-14-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spenser

I work for Kroger. We are the largest floral in the country. We do not buy or sell people dandelions.

Spenser, if you would like to let me know and I can hook you up...

Seriously,

to House Repoair Talk!

mudmixer · 04-14-2013, 07:08 PM

Pick them and make wine out of them.

Your neighbors will supply you with a constant crop of fresh dandelion seeds during the year since that is how they actually spread.

Dick