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Getting rid of weeds - weed killer choices and application

Gillian274Gillian274 Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hi, I have never used weed killer before as I worry about the wild life etc but following a summer of no gardening last year due to my having had an accident I am overwhelmed with weeds in what I fondly call the patio and dandelions plus an unwelcome plant that grows vigorously and like a weed everywhere. The plant is pretty but it quickly gets absolutely everywhere and migrated from outside my garden. My question is where the dandelions and plant have got in amongst the other plants / shrubs could I put some weedkiller in a container and sort of paint it on to avoid getting it anywhere else? I don't wish to kill mature shrubs and other plants. Also, roundup was recommended to me but it seems hard to get hold of so I was wondering if there are any that are good or if they are much of a muchness? I think I need something that will kill the root system. As for the "patio" when I scrape the weeds etc out of the cracks I always disturb lots of insects and I don't like the idea of killing them, I suppose all weed killers would kill insects? I wouldn't be using the stuff if I wasn't so overwhelmed with unwelcome vegetation! Thanks for any help, Gillian
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  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Could you try to clear a small patch at a time? A lady I know used an egg timer once it went ping that was it for the day. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    That's what I did after I neglected my garden for too long Suze.
    I chose a starting place and set small goals, which I very often exceeded. Just a patch a day, any patch.
    That way Gillian, it's not overwhelming, and you can see what you've got, and what wildlife is living around the garden. 
    It doesn't matter how long it takes, gardening is an ongoing project - mine is still changing and evolving, but I love that! 
    I'm biassed against weedkillers because like you say they're not good for wildlife, and you still have lots of dead, chemical brown crud to shift in a week or two. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Slow-worm Your post is a credit to you. Gardening should be about what you can manage at any given time. Otherwise where is the enjoyment and sense of achievement.  Yes gardening is an ongoing project and that is why we garden.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    Thank you Suze. 
    I surprised myself with that one actually. 😄 I was so busy sorting out the horse grazing, which was priority, I did relatively nothing in the garden for 2 years. I just started with the bits that bugged me the most. I took photos so I could see my weekly progress, and ended up revamping the lot! 
    I've got more wildlife now than when it was all overgrown shrubs. 
    Gillian, if you start small you'll be amazed at how much you'll get done, and the sense of achievement will feel great! 

    I thought they banned Roundup? 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    The active ingredient in Roundup is Glyphosate, so any product that contains glyphosate should do the trick.
    To treat individual weeds with other plants close by, just spray a little of the product on a brush and paint the leaves with it. It ONLY works by applying to leaves.
    It doesn't harm the soil and as far as I know it doesn't harm insects.

    Cereal crop farmers use it to finish ripening crops so there are traces of it in many products we buy and eat.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited May 2023
    Glyphosate ends up in water courses when it drains off the land and does cause damage to aquatic plants and wildlife.   It's also not good if birds, for example, consume insects that have fed on sprayed foliage or flowers before the weedkiller takes effect and that can take up to 2 weeks after application as the active ingredient has to be transported down to the roots and kill the plant.

    I don't want to think about its effects on human bodies but it is a fact that rates of cancer and birth defects are significantly higher in regions where Monsanto has sold its GM glyphosate resistant seed strains and thus encouraged higher doses of its glyphosate based Round-Up weedkiller.   You don't want to breathe it in or get it on your skin either.

    Better by far to hoe, strim or pull weeds a bit at a time as described above.   

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Some councils have already banned glyphosate use in the UK. We are used to seeing paths regularly sprayed by the council. Locally there are weeds coming up in the street and verges full of dandelions. It has been a wet spring and to some it looks untidy.
     
    Last year we were thankful for any plant that was green following the drought. I think weeds will be part of our gardening future and we will be far more accepting of them. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Round up also comes in a thing like a child’s glue stick that you can rub onto leaves without touching the other plants. Time consuming but does work.
  • DaveGreigDaveGreig Posts: 189
    The effects of Glyphosate are described in this report. It’s a bit of a read but the introduction has some good info.

    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1547691X.2020.1804492#:~:text=Glyphosate%20is%20detected%20in%20human,general%20population%20(Acquavella%20et%20al.
  • Gillian274Gillian274 Posts: 9
    Dear all, thank you for the replies and apologies for the delay in replying. Combination of holidays and IT problems. I tackled the weeds the hard way although needless to say when I returned from hols many had regrown. No where near as bad though. My plan is to try and plant some solid dense foliage plants that will blank out the weeds (I hope!) in some areas and try and keep on top of the rest. I did look at the round up with gylophosphate in a shop but am holding off using it. If I really can't get rid of stuff that's getting into brickwork I might eventually have to get some and use a very limited amount as I don't want my wall to fall down but hopefully that won't happen. Thanks for all replies. Gillian 
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