Having difficulties because weeds are always crawling all around your flower bed and they seem to be unstoppable? Don’t ever think you are the only one with such problem at hand. Weeds are very annoying and believe me, we all desperately need something to get rid of them once and for all. In order to obtain the best weed killer for flower bed you need to first of all understand the type of weed you are dealing with because there are a lot of unwanted plants. Also, you need to know the type as well as their negative effect on flowers.
In most cases, the type of weed that grow on your flower bed also determine the type of weed killer that will be required. But before we move further, what are weeds?
Weeds are plants that grow where they are not wanted. In other words they are not cultivated deliberately, they are unwanted plants. Weeds tend to take over the useful spaces where the wanted plants are expected to thrive on. They also compete with the cultivated plants (in this case Flower) for sunlight, space and nutrients.
A well-known fact about weed is that they have rapid growth.
Some of the common weeds that grow on flower beds are
Field blindweed – Which are very persistent and can prove to be hard to get rid of. Their roots go about 14 feet deep into the ground. It causes major problem for plants when it comes to search of nutrients.
Creeping Charlie – This weed spreads rapidly and creeps around the flower beds. It compete with the flowers for breathing space.
Yellow wood sorrel – The yellow wood sorrel is also called the Oxalis. It is a perennial weed which has small yellow flowers when it blooms.
Grabgrass – The grabgrass affect flower beds in a lot of ways and tend to return every summer if they are not well dealt with.
Dandelions – These are well known because they can easily take over your flower bed if left unattended to.
A general characteristics of weed is that they are easy dispassed and if not properly dealt with, they grow very fast and cause harm to your cultivated flower on the bed.
Now if you have come looking for the best weed killer for flower bed then be rest assured, you are in the right place.
It’s certain that it makes you feel unhappy, seeing weeds compete with your flowers. This has made the flowers on the bed less attractive and has resulted to stunted growth of the flowers, so below we will be recommending some of the finest weed killers for your flower bed, but before we move on to that, we should look at how you can choose the best weed killer for your flower bed.
The rain water can wash away the sprayed chemical if it haven’t dried and gone deep down into the leaves of the weed as required. If this happens, the formula will be rendered useless and powerless against the weed. The weed will continue to thrive.
Some of these formulas take as low as 15 minutes while some takes few hours to totally dry up and sink into the leaves of the weed plant. It will be advisable to choose a weed killer that dries up fast and works fast as well.
Contents
Top10 Best Weed Killer for Flower Bed
A lot of research has been carried out on these weed eliminating products from amazon.com and a countdown to 10 products/ fomulas will be reviewed as well as their descriptions, method of application and their pros and cons.
1. Preen 2464092 Extended Control Weed Preventer
This product can cover 805 square feet. If applied once, it is capable of preventing weeds for up to 6 months. It keeps about 125 broadleaf and grassy weeds from germinating.
Preen Extended control weed preventer tackles many of the toughest weeds a gardener can come across. This includes the dandelion, crabgrass, field blindweed, horseweed and many more. Preen Extended control weed preventer is an easy product to apply; open the bottle, tilt the bottle and start shaking to evenly spread the product granules over the top soil. Water the soil afterwards to activate the protective weed stopper. The product should not be allowed to touch valued plants and flowers while it is being applied.
Pros
- Easy to apply product
- Works for a long time
- Safe
Cons
- Kills weeds, Flower and other edible plants
2. Compare -N- Save Concentrate grass and weed killer 41% glyphosate
Concentrate grass and weed killer vary in terms of packing. It can make up to 85 gallons of ready-to-use spray. It is capable of covering over 25,000 square feet. It’s rainproof time is about 2 hours, i.e it needs about 2 hours before the sprayed plant can be watered. Watering after 2 hours will not wash away effectiveness. Result shows in 2 to 4 days depending on the climate and temperature.
This product is powerful enough to kill all annual and perennial weeds and unwanted plants.
It can be prepared by mixing it with sufficient quantity of water and spraying along the leaves of the weed using either plastic, aluminum or stainless steel tank. Be sure to rinse sprayer and flush all component of the sprayer 2 or more times after use.
Applied areas can be replanted in a day after treatment. Concentrate grass and weed killer, kills existing weeds and it is advisable to apply in day time of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Precautions should be taken because concentrate grass and weed killer 41% glyphosate kills all green plants including lawn grasses and flowers.
Pros
- Mixes easily with water
- Kills weed to the roots
- No residual activity
Cons
- Does not prevent new weeds
- Less effective in low temperature area
3. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed and Grass Killer
Vinegar weed and Grass killer is a natural organic weed killer. The natural weed killer eliminates any type of weed in just a matter of hours. It contains 20% acetic acid which are used on crabgrass, dandelion, coverweed and many more. It is quite safe to use anywhere because it is perfect for residential and agricultural uses.
All that is required is to apply wherever grass are not needed. It is a certified organic grass killer which eliminates grass without toxic chemicals because it is made naturally from corn which makes it glyphosate free. The OMRI certified organic weed killer is also a non-selective weed killer (herbicide) so it is very advisable to avoid spraying on healthy grass and flowers.
Vinegar 20% should be handled with care, it is 4 times stronger than the traditional table vinegar which is just 5%.
It eliminates weeds without posing any environmental risk and danger.
Pros
- Eliminate weeds in a matter of hours
- Safe (no environmental risk)
- Natural organic weed killer
Cons
- Non-selective weed killer
- Wash off easily in rain
4. Spectracide Lawn Care Combo Pack
The spectracide combo pack is a ready-to-spray concentrate. It requires no mixing, just connect to your hose and spray. Has the potential to kill over 470 types of weed including the dandelion, crabgrass, yellow nutsedge and a lot more. Spectracide also kills insects of over 250 kinds by direct contact above and below the ground. It also in a way fertilizes the soil because it is formulated with 20% Nitrogen which makes it fast in acting. Up to 3 months control of pests like cricket and ladybettles. Watering or rainfall after a day will not wash away effectiveness.
Pros
- Aids soil fertility
- Kills weed and insect pests
- Quick action
Cons
- Foul odor
- May burn grass when applied in hot weather
5. RM43. 43- percent Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer
This product is a total vegetation control. RM43 is a combination of two herbicides and surfactants. It is rainfast in just 2 hours, if sprayed, can be active for up to 1 year. The concentrated formula of glyphosate and Imazapy is effective against most noxious weeds and grasses. This product should should not be allowed to touch root system of your desired flowers. The RM43 can treat 43,243 square feet and is ideal for fence rows, sidewalks and flower bed weed. When properly applied, weeds die and becomes reddish brown. It yields excellent result in a few hours after application.
Pros
- Contains glyphosate and Imazapy
- Covers a large area in square feet per gallon
- Also prevents weed
Cons
- Takes time to become rainproof
- Takes a week or more to start action.
6. Roundup Power max 48.7%
Roundup Power max 48.7% is a high load formulation of 720g/l glyphosate. It is a post-emergence effective herbicide with no soil residual activity. Power max 48.7% is a non-selective formula and provides wild range spectrum control of various annual and perennial weeds. It is formulated as a water soluble liquid. Application mode is through sprayers after distillation by mixing with water according to labeled instructions. It’s rainfast period is 1 hour for annuals and 4 hours for perennials. Roundup Power max kills weeds down to the roots whist result is shown in 2 days for annual and 5 days for perennials.
Pros
- For home and farms
- Kills annual and perennial weeds
- Kills weed to the roots
Cons
- Take a bit longer to work than similar product
- Can be very toxic
7. Makaze Herbicide 41% Glyphosate
The 41% glyphosate herbicide has same active ingredient as the Roundup and that justifies why it came 4th on the list. It works well around flowers and walkways. A mix of Makaze is best at rate of 2-3 ounces per gallon of water. It is ranproof in 30 minutes and weeds starts to display a yellow decoloration and then wilts in 2-4 days
Pros
- Rainproof in few minutes
- Mixes 2 to 3 ounces per gallon
- Effectiveness in just 3 hours
Cons
- Non-selective
8. Doctor Kirchner Natural weed and Grass Killer
This product is a natural weed killer and its also Pets and kids safe. It contains zero percentage of glyphosate and no Hormone disrupting chemicals, fascinating isn’t it? Yes, I suppose. Its application is as simple as just spraying the weed to the point of wetness as result of weed becoming wilther shows in hours while grassy weeds may take 12 to 24 hours to turn brown. This application can last for years.
Pros
- Kills weeds effectively
- Comes in large quantity
- Environmental friendly (Toxic free)
Cons
- Might need multiple application
9. The Andersons Pro Turf
The Andersons Pro Turf is a barricade Granular pre-emergent weed control which is capable of covering up to 5,800 square feet. It is a herbicide that help prevents over 30 grass and broadleaf weeds in ornamental and flower bed.
It contains 48% of the active ingredient prodiamine. The Andersons Pro Turf also requires rainfall or irrigation in order for the health prevention zone to become active. It is mostly effective when applied in the early spring before soil temperature reaches about 55 degrees at 4 inch depth. It helps in better control and prevention of weed.
Pros
- Covers large area
- Effective in weed control
- Prevents over 30 types of grass and weed from emerging
Cons
- Only prevents weeds from growing
- Not so effective in hot weather
10. VPG Hi-yield killzall Quick Weed and Grass Killer Liquid
This comes first on the list for it’s effectiveness and quick response to eliminating unwanted plants. The Hi-yield killazall is a non-selective reliable weed control formula that helps eliminate weeds and grasses in and around your lawn and flower bed. It is a ready-to-use formula which contains 2% glyphosate and 2% pelargonic Acid denoted as its active ingredients which rapidly kills unwanted plants such as blindweed, bluegrass, fescue, ragweed and many more. The killazall Quick Weed killer penetrates through the foilage before moving down and killing the sprayed weed from the root and preventing them from regrowing. Rainproof time is just 10 minutes and shows effectiveness in just 3 hours which kills for up to 2 weeks.
Pros
- Effective
- Kills wide variety of broadleaf and weeds
Cons
- Non-selective killer
How to Choose The Best Weed Killer for Flower Bed
Identifying to weed
As stated in the introduction, the type of weed can help decide on the kind of weed killer to choose. So first you have to determine the kind of weed you are dealing with. In most cases, there are different species of weed on a flower bed, so it is required to study those weeds in order to decide on the best weed killer.
Surface area to be covered
The surface area of the flower bed is also a factor to be considered when choosing a weed killer. Concentrated formulas are considered to be quite economical to cover as wide as 3,500 square feet or even more if we’ll managed, while the Ready-to-use formulas are convenient for small areas.
Back in the old times when cultural weed control is employed (i.e the use of cultural tools and mostly bare hands to uproot weeds from the bed). This takes a lot of time and energy plus you can’t be 100 percent sure the weeds won’t reemerge anyway. It’s the modern day garden so no one wants to put their backs into hard labor by doing all that.
Nature of the product (weed killer)
Some weed killers comes in granular. These granulated fomulas can be spread evenly across the surface of the soil and then watered afterwards so they sink into the soil. This prevent emerging of weeds like the dandelion and horseweed.
Pre-emergent and post-emergent weed
Either killing the already grown weeds or preventing future ones from coming up, it is very important that you take your time to determine the best weed killer available to finally eliminate the stubborn weeds that makes your flowers look bad and disappointing.
You also need to understand that there are pre emergent and post emergent weed killers
The pre emergent weed killers prevent weeds from surfacing in the first place. Like we all know, some weeds are very persistent and the tend to surface over and over again, so the pre emergent weed killers stop such weeds from ever growing.
The post emergent weed killers eliminate weeds that are grown already. They are applied mainly to the leaves of when unwanted plants and they kill them down to the root. Some even prevent them from regrowing in subsequent months or so.
Also, a lot of these weed killers do not recognize the weed or the flowers, (i.e they kill whatever plant the come in contact with upon spraying), because they use glyphosate, so users have to be very careful when applying these formulas in order not to destroy the entire flowers in the bed.
Rainfast and time factor
Another important factor to consider on how to choose the best weed killer for flower bed is the rainfast or rainproof factor. You need to determine how rainfast the weed killer is. The time taken for the applied formula to soak and dry into the leaves of the weed needs to be known before application.
If you live in a rainy climate it can be a waste of resources when you spray and then it starts to rain not long.
FAQs
How long do I have to wait to plant flower seeds where I sprayed?
How long you have to wait depends mainly on the product you are using since all the products varies in period of effectiveness.
What do I do when weed has taken over my flower bed?
If you still value the flowers in the bed you might want to take your time to clear the weeds very close to the flowers culturaly by hand weeding before applying weed killer so you don’t end up killing your precious flowers while spraying.
How do I choose the best weed killer for my flower bed?
First study the type of weed and their characteristics then purchase a weed killer that can eradicate such weeds. You might as well considering the size of your flower bed and your climate too.
What if I am not interested in buying a weed killer?
You can just do you weeding the old fashioned way which is by hand, but it is not a long lasting solution because the weeds will still reemerge after few weeks. Mulching and application of home made weed killer (consisting of Vinegar, Salt and Soap) can also help but not as much as these guaranteed weed killers.
How can I be sure that the soil fertility will not be lost after applying weed killer?
Application of some chemical weed killers causes loss in some soil micro organisms, but not all the weed killers kill soil micro organisms, some have the property to add more fertility to the soil.
Conclusion
There are lots of weed killer products available which are not mentioned in this article. However, it is not possible to point one out as the best because they all have different pros and cons. But you have the luxury of doing so by considering the type of weed you are fighting.
Going through the review will help you know how better to attack those weeds that are causing you a lot of problem and disappointment.
There are various options from which you can make a good decision, ranging from the weed killers with toxic chemicals down to the natural ones also from the quick action to the ones that take a little while before being active.
With the review and recommendation from this article, you should be able to determine the best approach in tackling both pre and post-emergent weed in your flower bed.
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