Summer Weeds:
Marching into August, I am still encountering many broadleaf weed invaders. My backyard borders a former pasture and is the source for many weed seeds of which red, white, and yellow sweet clover are most problematic. The former pasture provides a great backdrop that transitions into a wooded area. Both of these environments provide habit for pollinators and wildlife; therefore, I take precautions of the weed control products that I apply to my lawn.
Iron Chelate (FeEDTA)
Iron chelate (FeEDTA) is one of my fallbacks for broadleaf control in the summer months and was recently featured on an earlier blog (July 5, 2020). Iron chelate is eco-friendly, safe to people and pets, works in hours and in low temperatures, with no unpleasant odor. People and pets can enter the treated area as soon as the spray solution dries. Did I mention that Eberle, my daughter’s Golden Retriever, is visiting for two weeks! And if you happen to be re-seeding you can sow the seed the next day!
Recently the daytime and evening temperatures finally dropped into the 70’s so I decided to spot treat the lawn which took approximately 2 gallon of diluted solution to treat 10,000 square feet of lawn.
My experience:
- Iron chelate brand: Bonide Weed Beater Fe Concentrate
- Rate: 5 oz/1 gallon of water. Approximately a 5% solution.
- Sprayer: Scotts 2-gallon manual pump sprayer with a flat fan nozzle
- Spray technique: Spot spray weeds until run-off especially the clover species
Weed Beater Fe (FeEDTA)
Observations:
After 36 hours I noted wilting, drying, curling and darkening of the leaves of all three clover species with yellow sweet clover being the most impacted. Other annual broadleaf weeds such as ragweed, lambsquarters and velvetleaf which are much easier to control to show symptoms in as little as 3 to 4 hours. As this product contains iron and the liquid concentrate is red-brown in color, the thatch and grass blades may temporarily be discolored but cause no harm to the grass.
Other brand names that are currently available:
- Iron X! from Garden’s Alive
- Bonide Weed Beater Fe
- Natria Lawn Weed & Disease Control
- Natural Guard by Ferti-lome Lawn weed Killer
- Pulverize Weed Killer for Lawns