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Phoenix, AZ

The most common weed killer out here is 2,4-D. I want to talk to my neighbors about alternatives before they start using it.

Any suggestions on what to propose that will work but not hurt my pumpkins?

3/4/2006 11:25:02 AM

San Diego

ask them nicely never to spray that stuff lol, it can damage your plant big time, especially in hot areas because the hot sun magnifies its affects on the plant, been there, had it done to me. As for what to use, tell them nicely to get some exercise and pull them by hand or use a hoe :)

3/4/2006 2:32:36 PM

Ray, North Dakota

Another thing is, leave your sprinkler set up and have them turn it on when they spray. 2 4 D needs to be on the plant for about 20 minutes to take effect. If you have a spray of water on your plants when they are spraying their herbicides, you won't have any ill effects.

I have sprayed dandelions in my yard with 2 4 D and had the sprinkler goin in my garden at the same time. Nothing in my garden was touched by the chemical, and I sprayed right to the edge of the garden.

3/4/2006 6:35:14 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Ben, you could offer to spray their weeds for them so you can control the situation. Thats what I'm doing with my neighbor this year after near disaster last year.
And definitely do as Herbie said...get the sprinklers going on the plant while the stuff is being sprayed.

3/4/2006 9:25:30 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Interesting about keeping the water running.

However, I have used 2,4-D before and the effects were 3 weeks later in damaging the leaves of my pumpkins when they were coming out of the ground and 1st true leaf was forming. I was spraying about 60 ft away from my patch.

This crap can stay around a while I understand.

3/4/2006 9:55:43 PM

Ray, North Dakota

I deal in farm chemicals, and the residual that 2 4-D presents is minute if it is mixed correctly. Also, it has to be sprayed on the plant to be absorbed, in the soil it shouldn't have any carry over, unless again, it was mixed way way too strong.

Keep the sprinklers going when it is being sprayed, turn them off after and you won't have any problems.

3/5/2006 6:34:08 PM

San Diego

I'm gonna guess you would be ok with sprinklers on, but one thing I have noticed. Northern growers don't understand how hot the sun is on southern plants, it is a totally different ball game and the plants react much different to sprays than in northen states. There have been many times that I have tried spraying supposedly "safe" things on my plant in San Diego that northern growers spray with no problems, only to get leaf burn, ranging from minor to severe. That being said, you still take a chance even with sprinklers on with that stuff in Arizona.

3/5/2006 7:44:54 PM

[email protected]

Ester forms of 2,4-D are volatile in warm weather. This means it could gas off on a hot day & collect on your plants. Granular weed & feed materials can present a blowing dust problem.

If you can't convince them to wait until fall (better control of many weeds), then at least make sure that a competent certified applicator uses an AMINE formulation when there is no wind. High volume applications (2-4 gallons per 1000 sq ft) pose the lowest risk of drift.

Leaving a sprinkler on isn't a guarantee but it's still a good idea.

2,4-D does not pose a run-off or leaching risk when used properly.

Knowing the type of lawn they have & which weeds they want to control would help me figure out if a safer alternative is available.

Steve

3/5/2006 8:03:52 PM

Phoenix, AZ

No run-off issues. All drift concerns. I will look into the common weeds.

What is an AMINE formulation?

3/5/2006 8:38:49 PM

[email protected]

Amine forms of 2,4-D are non-volatile liquids formulated for warm weather. Some common Professional brand names are:

Trimec, Strike-3, Lesco Threeway, Mecamine-D, etc

Some Ester forms (volatile) to avoid are:

Threeway Ester2, Super Trimec, Cool-Power, etc.

ALL selective herbicide labels will indicate whether they are amine ro ester formulations regardless of manufacturer.

Low pressure (40 psi or less) at high volumes (90-360 gallons of water per acre) at concentrations of .3-.75 oz/gal are not going to pose a risk. However there are also drift retardants (like Nalcatrol) that can reduce the risk of drift even more.

Those stupid hose end attachments that are sold to Do-It-Yourselfers in garden centers are most likely amines. But in this case you are at the mercy of the end user & their experience (or lack thereof). DIY weed & feed makes me nervous too.

Encourage your neighbor to hire a licensed professional.

3/5/2006 8:59:14 PM

Piqua,Ohio

most yard sprays have two forms of 2,4D and dicamba. make sure the damage is 2,4d for dicamba is a whole lot more volitale and will move off target way more than 2,4D hence anything with tri in the name is these three forms. I have my pacth right next to fields( within 3 feet) that is sprayed every year with herbicides. A competent applicator is the answer and no wind I have never had any problems. keep the water running I'd say is a good thing. LOL good luck

3/6/2006 7:58:06 AM

Ray, North Dakota

The neighbor could also use a form of weed and feed. It is fertilizer with herbicides incorporated in, and should not pose a problem for your garden unless the granules touch your plants.

3/6/2006 10:28:01 PM

Coolville, OH

We're in a hilly area here. About 20 years ago, my dad used 2,4-D Ester to clear multiflora rose from along the fence lines of a pasture. Not only did it kill the multiflora, but it leached out into the field and killed several healthy black walnut and sasafras trees that were about 200 ft. out from the fence. ~oh, I miss that sasafras tea~

The multiflora has never came back and it took 7 years before even grass would grow in the area where the trees once were. He swears it was because of the 2,4-D Ester.

3/7/2006 12:55:21 AM