Natural Control for Tough Weeds

Tough Weeds!

As summer marches on broadleaf weeds such as lamb’s quarters, plantain, purslane, dandelions and white clover to name a few will continue to emerge and persist in your lawn.  The avid lawn care enthusiast who is concerned about the health and well-being of  children, pets, and the environment has few DIY solutions that provide instant and effective results.   

Traditional Remedies

Home remedies such as vinegar, boiling water, liquid soap when applied often may be effective in eliminating weeds in cracks of sidewalks or on gravel pathways but will cause damage to an actively growing lawn.  And let’s face it, physical removal  or “rouging”  of  weeds is a tough and time consuming endeavor.   I know from experience.  One of the consequences  of being the youngest of three boys in our family was spending  my idle summer days as a kid prying weeds from my dad’s lawn!  

Chemical Control

Chemical controls using the standard off-the-shelf combinations  that may contain 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, sulfentrazone and carfentrazone are highly effective and easy-to-use but may lack the environmental and safety protocol that you may desire.  Products that contain 2,4-D  may even be banned  by the regulatory authorities in certain counties, states and provinces therefore eliminating this option.  

Secure Natural Control with Biochemicals

With few options available, what is a homeowner to do?  Employ the neighborhood kids?  I am positive this chore will not be tolerated for long and weeds in  your lawn will persist unless you consider a new “soft” and  natural effective control that contains the natural ingredient Iron (FeHEDTA).   

What is Iron Chelate (FeEDTA)? 

Iron chelate is classified by the EPA as a biochemical which are naturally occurring compounds or synthetically derived compounds that are similar and functionally identical to their naturally occurring counterparts.  Biochemicals feature  a non-toxic mode of action that affect  the growth and development of a pest including weeds.   Traditionally iron chelate  has been used to correct iron deficiencies in plants  but at high concentrations it becomes an effective  broadleaf weed killer yet is safe to the  lawn. 

Iron chelate is eco-friendly, safe to people and pets, works in hours and in low temperatures, with no unpleasant odor.   This approved EPA registered product can be found at your local garden center, hardware store, or on the internet. 

What are some of the EPA registered brand names that are currently available?

• Iron X!
• Bonide Weed Beater Fe
• Natria Lawn Weed & Disease Control
• Natural Guard by Fertilome Lawn weed Killer
• Pulverize Weed Killer for Lawns

Weeds Controlled?

Iron Chelate is  a selective herbicide for use on lawns that controls many broadleaf weeds including dandelion, white clover, plantain species, ground ivy, creeping Charlie, knotweeds, Oxalis and many more while  protecting the grass.  As a bonus iron chelate will also control moss, lichens, liverworts and algae.  

How to use the concentrate formulation?   

For “spot” treatment  use 5 ounces in  1 gallon of water.  Thoroughly spray weeds to the point of run-off using a standard pump sprayer.  The spray solution will take on a red-rust color due to the iron content. Occasionally the grass may darken in appearance and will recover in a few days.  

Iron chelate can also be found in a Ready-to-Use (RTU) formulation which requires no measuring, mixing, or sprayer.  

What will you see?

 Wilting darkening  and dying weeds will be seen within hours of application.  

Are there any precautions? Avoid the following:

• Direct contact with skin and eyes. 
• Contact with cement since the iron may temporarily stain the concrete
• Making contact with  desirable plants. If so, rinse with water.  
• Seeding in less than 24 hours

As with any EPA registered pesticide always read and follow the label directions