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During every single season, your garden can bring wonders to your home. Every gardener wants a fertile and beautiful backyard but are you asking yourself What Kills Weeds but not Flowers?
The answer is finding the most suitable weed killer for yours and your gardens needs, one that won’t damage your soil or ornamental plants when applied properly. Below we are going to give you the information you require in order to help you find the best weed killer for flower beds that will suit your conditions.
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10 of the Best Weed Killers
You can find a lot of joy from a garden and a lot more than sitting back and relaxing while admiring or handy work, for example, craft ideas for dried flowers or maybe some alternatives to the usual sympathy flowers. But to get to that stage you first need to take care of your flower beds and of course, don’t forget taking care of your garden hedges.
To help you do just that, we have reviewed the 10 best weed killer for flower beds and garden. Get your backyard in tip-top shape in no time with these great garden investments.
1. Ortho Grass B Gon Ready-To-Use
Ortho’s Grass Be Gon product is a directed grass killer that is already pre-mixed for you so you are good to go straight away. All you have to do is spray directly on the unwanted growth and let it sit, thus helping to ensure that you do only kill weeds not plants.
This product kills grassy weeds like crabgrass and Bermuda while still being safe for use around flower beds. However, as with all chemicals, ensure to read the instructions and warnings to be safe.
This type of weed killer is great if your ornamental plants are somewhat spaced out, enabling you to directly spray on the intruding unwanted plants, also referred to as weeds. Although it states that it is safe for your ornamental flowers we would recommend that you do try to avoid too much overspray.
2. Natural Armor All-Natural Concentrated Formula
This organic weed killer is not only a good weed killer safe for plants, but it is also completely free of toxins and artificial chemicals and so perfectly safe for use in households with children and pets. It relies on natural and eco-friendly ingredients to specifically target weeds around your garden and does its job in record time.
The packaging of the 16-ounce size is a handy spray bottle that requires no additional mixing or diluting. Simply aim at the targeted plants and let it do its work with results in a matter of hours.
Natural Armor states that this formula gets rid of unwanted plants in just 24 hours with visible signs of dried up leaves long before that.
3. Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer with Ocean Water and Vinegar
When it comes to delicate plants, natural substances are always preferable to chemicals because there is less chance of damaging the beautiful petals or creating a toxic runoff. That is why Doctor Kirchner’s mixture of only ocean water, soap, and vinegar is on our list of the best weed killer for flower beds.
This Florida based family business has created an effective product that turns weeds brown in a matter of 12-24 hours without the use of toxic ingredients. With just 3 simple ingredients this is a product that you can store for several years, without it turning bad or ineffective.
There is no mixing needed so simply pour the formula into a sprayer and you are good to go. If you are looking for a truly natural and environmentally friendly solution to a weed killer safe for flowers, then this is the one for you.
4. Green Gobbler Organic and Pet Safe 20% Vinegar
Vinegar is a popular DIY weed killer alternative but if you trust the branded products better then consider this version by Green Gobbler which is made-up from regular household products then this is one for you. It contains 20% vinegar which is 4 times stronger than the food grade vinegar that you keep in the kitchen.
This organic formula is also free of glysophate, VOCs and any other additives that are not kind to your pets, children and the environment. However, it is not a selective weed killer so be sure to follow the instructions on the correct application and avoid spraying on your ornamental plants as this is a point and spray which allows you to kill weeds not plants by direct application, but as it is another organic safe option we have included it on our list of weed killer safe for flowers.
This vinegar solution should be sprayed on a dry warm day that is at least a day after or before rainfall to avoid dilution of the mixture. Follow the instructions and this product can remove oxalis, dandelions, clover weed, quackgrass, and many more nuisances.
5. Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
Many weed removing products should be applied on dry days when there is no risk of rain (or remaining moisture from rain) to wash away the solution. This could be a problem if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall so if this is the case for you then try this Spectracide product. For that reason, it has made our list for a point and spray and enabling you to avoid spraying your plants.
This fast-acting concentrate only needs 15 minutes of dry weather to still deliver results. And the results are quickly visible with Spectracide proudly claiming visible action like browning, shriveling, curling and wilting in just 3 hours after the application.
This is a concentrate so it should be mixed with water; the producers recommend 7 fluid ounces per gallon of water. This formula is so powerful that the ingredients will be soaked up by the leaves and then drawn down into the roots which then kills of the plant.
6. Preen Garden Weed Preventer
Remember that saying ‘prevention is better than a cure’? Well, that concept applies to this preventative product by Preen Garden which stops unwanted seeds from rooting in your garden for up to 3 months.
For this method to work, you should first remove any weeds from the flower beds with a grass and weed killer for flower beds as it will not kill any that are already growing. Then, spread a 3-inch layer of mulch around your flower bed, spread the weed preventing granules and water the area.
As mentioned, the effects last for up to 3 months so you will need to repeat these steps over the growing season with a recommended interval of 9 – 12 weeks. The good news is that it is not affected by rain so you don’t have to worry that you put in work for nothing.
7. Compare-N-Save 41% Glyphosate 1 Gallon Concentrate
This affordable product uses a high concentration of glyphosate which can cover very large lawns and keep them weed-free. All you need is 1.5 – 2.5 ounces of the concentrate per gallon of water with just 1 gallon of water being strong enough for a 300 square feet lawn.
So, if you are on a budget then this multifunctional solution might be the right choice for you. Glyphosate is a herbicide that is sprayed on the leaves and then it spreads down into the roots without preventing new growth of the ornamental plants.
Compared to a few other products on the list, this Compare-N-Save concentration does take longer to take effect; around 2-4 days. However, glyphosate is a very common ingredient in gardening that has proven its effectiveness over the years so this is a trustworthy solution.
8. Roundup Super Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer
Another herbicide that is resistant to wet weather is this concentrate by Roundup which is still effective when it rains 30 minutes after application. It is meant for use in tank sprayers where you will only need to mix in 2.5 ounces of the solution for every gallon of water.
You will get the best results when you spread this Roundup weed killer while the intruding plants are still growing. However, it is a slow reaction because it needs to reach the roots – and although you can see the plants wilting within 2 – 4 days but then it takes another 1 -2 weeks before it is actually dead.
If you have the patience then this is a good option for you. The advantage is that this solution is very concentrated so a small bottle is enough to cover a large area making it a budget-friendly option.
9. Preen Garden Weed Preventer Plus Plant Food
The second Preen Garden product to make it on the list is a hybrid of the previous mention. This version is not only a weed preventer, but it also contains nutrients for the plants that you do want growing in your backyard and front lawn.
This mixture can be applied at any time of the year and still keep your flower beds free of weeds for up to 3 months. However, do make sure that your ornamental plants have already grown at least 2 – 3 inches above the soil before you spread this product on your soil.
The best way to use it is by spreading the granules over mulch but keeping them away from foliage since this could cause burning. If done correctly, this combination of ingredients will simultaneously stop weeds from germinating and add extra nutrients to the existing flowers.
10. OrganicMatters No Glyphosate Eco-Friendly Spray
The final organic and eco-friendly weed killer on our list comes from OrganicMatters. This concentrated solution is free from glyphosate but is still very effective and ready-to-use as a spray for your lawn and outdoor flowering plants.
This natural mixture dries quickly when in contact with plants and the soil which prevents surface runoff from rain but also causes a faster reaction with the unwanted weed. It is able to remove over 250 types of weeds and a weed killer safe for trees and shrubs so it is a versatile and dependable product to keep in your shed.
OrganicMatters stands by their product and offers a no questions asked reimbursement if you are not satisfied with it after 30 days. This should give you extra trust in this natural weed killer.
Herbicide for Flower Beds Buying Guide
Whenever you are looking for a product that is safe to use, this not only means pet-friendly and safe for children but also a solution that kills weeds but not plants that you do want growing.
When you are dealing with flower beds you have to be extra careful since they are such delicate plants. Keep your flowers healthy with these buying tips.
Target the Weeds
The more precise your work the better. Look for weed killers that target specific areas because the broad-spectrum solutions can affect your flowering plants if you have too much overspray going onto your plants.
Do some research on the type of weeds that you find in your area and look for a product specifically for that species if you can, although most do kill a large variety of unwanted plants.
Most brands recommend that you apply their weed killer around flower beds instead of in the thick of the growth. If this is not sufficient, opt for a spray that you can directly spritz on the unwanted plants, and always check if spraying weeds in the lawn as not all products are good for spot spraying on grass.
Natural ingredients are of course preferable over chemicals because this is not only better for your soil but you and your family. If you do want to use chemicals, choose one that is certified as safe and not causing toxic runoff.
Be Patient
Fast results are great but the quick reaction time is not always a good sign. The products that promise visible results within hours are usually non-selective meaning, they kill all plants that it comes into contact with, not just the weeds. we have included point and spray options on our list of weed killer safe for flowers purely because they are point and spray so allowing you to spray weeds directly.
If you want to be more careful, a slower acting weed killer might be your safer choice. This type is usually absorbed through the leaves and then spreads down to the root which simply takes more time than the torching that fast herbicides do.
Follow the Instructions
No two products work the same, even if the process seems similar. Always follow the instructions carefully and take all the necessary safety precautions.
There are specific time and weather conditions during which your chosen weed killer will work best so try to stick to that as much as possible. The producers have tried and tested their product and want you to be satisfied so pay attention to their suggestions and guidelines for the best results. For example take note of the suggested temperature, dryness of the soil, time between rainfall and how to apply the weed killer as all these factors can impact how effective the ingredients are at targeting the weeds.
There you have it, hopefully, we have answered your question of What Kills Weeds But Not Plants?
