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Product Spotlight

Replanting is Easier with the Right Herbicide

August 7, 2022

Grass and weeds in the wrong places can be downright frustrating. That’s when a good weedkiller comes in handy. But is it a good idea to ‘start over’ and kill off everything in a garden or paddock? We have some quick tips to help you understand which herbicides are best for your application and how to protect people, pets, and livestock in the process.


Learn More about Eliminating Weeds


Check out Weed Killing 101 for an in-depth look at killing weeds and grass on your property.

What are Herbicides 


An herbicide is a substance that kills weeds and other vegetation. Some herbicides can safely pinpoint weeds amid other crops, while others will kill any plants it touches. These are called selective and non-selective herbicides. Selective herbicides kill weeds based on physical and physiological differences between crops and weeds. Depending on the weedkiller, the spray will either destroy a weed or alter its ability to take in light and water, which will eventually kill it. Non-selective herbicides kill everything in their path.


When you’re trying to ‘start over’ and eliminate every bit of grass and weed, a non-selective herbicide is best. Look for one with an ingredient called glyphosate, which is a post-emergent, non-selective herbicide that absorbs through the leaves or green of the plants you spray. The chemical them moves through the plant to the roots. This prevents the plant from making certain compounds, which ends in its untimely demise.

Do Herbicides Affect the Soil? 


Most herbicides do not affect the soil and future plantings after five days to a week. That means you can replant a garden (after pulling up all of the dead plant material) or throw grass seed into a paddock no more than a week after killing everything off.


Most manufacturers recommend that you stop all grazing for at least five days after spraying. That will ensure it is safe for livestock to reenter the area. However, to get new grass to grow, you’ll want to keep animals out of the area until new growth has appeared.


When Should You Spray


The best time to spray depends on the weather, time of year, and temperature. It’s best to spray weeds and grass between 70-85º F, on a day with low humidity. The colder or hotter it is, the longer the herbicide will take to work. Additionally, not all brands work in the rain, and could simply wash away into the soil.


When is it Safe for People and Animals to Return? 


Herbicides are considered safe once they have thoroughly dried on the plants that were sprayed.


KleenUP Weed and Grass Killer to the Rescue


The 2.5-gallon bottle of KleenUP HE High-Efficiency Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate can treat up to 5,250 square feet of paddock, yard, garden, or other areas. Just mix up to 8 ounces of KleepUP to every gallon of water to effectively treat areas that you plan to replant. With visible results in just hours, KleepUP from Bonide kills weeds, grasses and brush roots and all. Rain in the forecast? KleepUP will still do its job as long as it has a few hours after application before it gets wet.

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Weed and Grass Control Starts at Coastal 


Your West Coast-owned and operated Coastal has a full line of weed, grass, and brush control options, from herbicides to fire and more. Stop by and tell our team what you plan to spray, how quickly you need to replant, and what you want from weed and grass control.