Dakota Gardener: Herbicide errors strain marriages

As a horticulturist, I have seen more than my fair share of strained marriages. My favorite story was told to great effect during a funeral luncheon. The deceased had accidentally filled his lawn sprayer with glyphosate, an herbicide that kills everything, rather than a selective lawn herbicide that only kills weeds. The resulting dead lawn created more than a little marital friction as humorously recounted by his son decades later. Fortunately, the marriage survived and the story provided a moment of levity during the funeral.

More recently, a friend called me with her own story that was more egregious. Her husband was frustrated with lawn weeds and borrowed a farm herbicide meant for pasture applications. He certainly killed his lawn weeds with this illegal application but he also damaged his wife’s prize maple tree. The tree’s prognosis is uncertain and the wife is livid.

When I was hired, nobody told me that my job duties would include marital counseling. However, I am willing to offer some free advice to prevent future problems.

First, thoroughly read the herbicide label including the list of active ingredients. Yes, labels are boring but a few minutes of reading can prevent costly mistakes. Confusing trade names have added complexities for the average consumer trying to purchase a lawn herbicide. A standard lawn herbicide that only kills broadleaf weeds usually contains three active ingredients: 2,4-D, mecoprop (MCPP); and dicamba. Avoid using products that contain glyphosate on lawns because it will kill the desirable turfgrass.

My friend’s husband learned the hard way not to use farm herbicides in residential lawns. These chemicals are extremely potent and may have a residual that lasts for years. Only time will tell if her maple tree will survive. Not only is it dangerous to apply farm chemicals, but it is also illegal. Many farm chemicals are restricted-use herbicides that can only be applied by certified pesticide applicators. Furthermore, these herbicides can only be applied to specific sites listed on the label such as pastures or cropland.

Trees are very susceptible to various lawn herbicides. When applying herbicides to residential turfgrass, a couple of pointers will go a long way to safeguard trees planted in the lawn. Spraying the entire lawn is unnecessary. Spot spray the weeds to limit the amount of herbicide that accumulates in the soil. If you can help it, avoid spraying near your tree’s root system which may extend beyond the ends of the branches.

Fall is the best time to treat lawn weeds such as dandelions. As the temperature cools and days shorten, perennial weeds start to acclimate for winter by translocating sugars and nutrients from the leaves to the root system. An application of herbicide to the weed’s leaves will then be transported to the root system ensuring a systemic kill. A light frost will enhance this process.

If you have questions regarding lawn weed management, reach out to your county North Dakota State University Extension agent. NDSU Extension is here to help alleviate relationship stress by providing safe and legal herbicide recommendations.