Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire seriously, how do you get rid of dandelions?

I prefer Crossbow which is 2,4-D and triclopyr.

The key to true broadleaf control is treating in the fall, Memorial Day or later in the north. At that point, all broadleafs that are going to sprout for the year have done so, and any good contact herbicide will kill them well since they are absorbing nutrients to send them straight to the roots.

Then it is simple to maintain with something like weed-n-feed in the spring, or simply spray heavy each fall.

A heavy application of Varget and toss on a lit Cigar as you head to the shop!

2 others that work well are LV6 which is a stronger form of 2 4 D. The other is Milestone. It kills all broad leaf plants and has a residual effect for about 3 years. It is expensive though.I really like it for Thistles and kills them when other herbicides won't.Either will kill dandelions easily.

2-4-D Amine. And dont forget to mow high and mow often. Short cut grass is a haven for weeds to sprout.

2,4D amine concentrate. Weed-B-Gone has 2,4D as an active ingredient, but lacks much power. Follow directions for mix then add just a bit more for a knock-out punch. Add a surfactant like orange oil or old fashioned dish soap so the herbicide will stick to the broadleaf. Apply in the early am when dew is on the grass and the weed's pores are open. It also helps to see your tracks so you get good coverage and not too much overlap. Try to make sure there's no rain in the forecast for a few days. Tank on a wheeler or tractor will save your back for that big patch of grass you have.

I used to do it summers for a large lawn outfit for 4 years. Weeds will be less when your lawn (grass) gets stronger. Aerate and overseed spring and fall. Crabgrass pre-emergent in the spring, slow release nitrogen in summer, weed and feed in the fall. Cut lower spring and fall, higher in heat of the summer; never more than a 1/3 of the grass blade, and water about an 1" a week. That's all there is to it!

Must be the part that doesn't get much water.

Goats are the best deal. After they get Dave's yard in shape he can rent 'em out. And eat some of the youngens.

atse,

Milestone is probably fine for the OP, but don't use it where livestock will graze, (or hay grown).

Myron

I got a major handle on my lawn and the dandelion patch by mowing every 2 or 3 days for the last couple weeks and they're practically all gone.

AcesNeights,

"I got a major handle on my lawn and the dandelion patch by mowing every 2 or 3 days for the last couple weeks and they're practically all gone."

I'll for sure never get a handle on mine, then.
I really don't mind a few.

I'll be damned if I'm going to mow every 2 or 3 days.
Sound like a plan, though if they really bother you.

Myron

They don't really bother me. The chickens like them hell even my lab will choose a salad from time to time. I don't mind mowing as I get on the John Deere and get lost in thought, it's the damn thistle I don't like.

2, 4, D purchased at about 50% active ingredient mixed as a 3% solution (about 1.92 ounces per gallon) with about 10 drops of dish detergent added. Mist the yard about twice a summer. Kills broadleaves, but is harmless to grasses.

Higher concentrations will rapidly top kill but not take out the roots.

Dandelions?

Triclophlor eats em for breakfast, but pre-emirgence.

A real weed had to be invented by Germans.....Creeping Charlie. Triclophlor as well. A spring dose can barely control them. Fall is the time to get rid of weeds.

Odd, Norwegians bitching about dandelions....

Getting rid of weeds starts in the fall. Making them gone in June is almost a year behind and wasting dollars in the process.

Weeds die best when they have to feed, as does grass strenghthen when it needs to be fed.
Toxins stored in broadleaves means they dont live to make the next season....

AcesNeights,

About the only thing that will kill thistle, is Curtail M with clopyralid. Or -

Do a search for "cloropyralid" herbicide. It is the straight stuff available under several different names, even from the same manufacturer.

These are NOT to be used where kids will be playing. They are pretty much for professional use, but I was able to purchase some a few years ago,

Myron

The quickest, most thorough job of getting rid of dandelions over a large area I've ever seen was a company of basic trainees, dress-right-dress in a straight line, armed with mess kit spoons.

joken2,
"The quickest, most thorough job of getting rid of dandelions over a large area I've ever seen was a company of basic trainees, dress-right-dress in a straight line, armed with mess kit spoons."

That is downright funny!

That would work until they came back up from what root was too deep for the spoons.

Myron

2,4-D should work on that too.

Trimec costs double for the amount of product you need. And at the rate you're applying, it's literally 50% of a standard dose for broadleaf weeds.

That 2.5 gallon jug of Amine 400 costs $43 and the concentrate's nearly 47%.. AND you can cover 10 acres at that rate. Yer payin' twice the price for the "Trimec" name.. Just to give you a comparison..




That IS the stuff I use - same concentrate percentage/different manufacturer.. Ergo, right on!

Smart man - good job..

Fine for a very small lawn - but ND just added what looks like 2-3 acres of seed.. .......AND when the temp is north of 75 degrees..

I get my 2,4-D in a 2 1/2 gallon jug from my local COOP and mix my own. Not sure about the 3 or whatever ounces per gallon of water, I go by the glugs. I mix mine up pretty strong and them yellow devils don't stand a chance.

Got ready to do some spraying yesterday with my ATV mounted sprayer. I have already used it this year, but yesterday it had pin holes in all the hoses. Looked like somebody poked them with a needle. Could not see them until the pressure hit and then I took a shower. miles