Weed Control
A weed can be defined as an unwanted plant which has sprung up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless of how you define them they are usually a nuisance because they deprive other plants in your garden of water, nutrients, space and often light. That‘s why it makes sense to do something about these unwanted plants. Fortunately you have several options.
The three most important methods of weed control
1. Physically removing weeds
Regular hoeing is an effective method of dealing with weeds but in some circumstances this can actually increase their number. So-called root weeds such as couch grass or ground elder tend to thrive with this method as pieces of root can be chopped in half and create two new plants. To avoid this, you should be careful to remove the roots from the soil.
2. Mulching
Mulching with bark or thin layers of grass clippings or autumn foliage is a common method of weed suppression. However, it has two drawbacks: the material provides ideal daytime cover for slugs and snails which can then go on the rampage at night! And as the mulching material decomposes active microorganisms consume large quantities of nitrogen, depriving your plants of this important nutrient and causing growth to slow down and ultimately stop altogether.
3. Spraying against weeds
A convenient and effective method of weed control is treatment with a weedkiller such as Superfast & Long Lasting Weedkiller* containing Pelargonic acid, a long chain fatty acid which also occurs in nature, specifically in geraniums. It also incorporates a growth regulator which has a good long-term effect.
How Neudorff’s weedkillers work
The unique combination of two active ingredients in WeedFree Plus+, pelargonic acid and maleic acid hydrazide, create a weedkiller that is both fast-acting and long-lasting against weed regrowth.
Pelargonic Acid
Pelargonic acid is found naturally in pelargoniums and is a highly effective fatty acid widely used in the treatment of unwanted plants.
How does Pelargonic Acid work?
Natural pelargonic acid destroys the cell walls of the leaves of the weed. This results in the cells losing their structure and drying out within a short space of time, under normal conditions this will be visible within 1 day after treatment.
Only the green parts of the plant are affected by this action, the woody bark of the plant is unaffected as the cells are too stable and the active ingredient has no way of penetrating the surface. Therefore the product can be used under hedges, trees and bushes without fear of destroying the whole area.
Maleic Acid Hydrazide
Maleic acid hydrazide is an extremely old and well researched active ingredient. First produced in 1895, it has been used as a growth regulator in crop management since 1952. Its main applications have been in the production of food, particularly being used on potatoes and onions as an anti-sprouting agent.How does Maleic Acid Hydrazide work?
The growth regulator is transported by the plant's vascular tissue into the plant’s root system. Once there it prevents cell division at the root tips and since this is where growth takes place the roots are no longer able to continue growing.
Features and advantages of Neudorff’s weedkillers:
Neudorff’s weedkillers are also effective at low temperatures. They can be used from early Spring until late Autumn ensuring protection during the entire growth cycle of weeds. The active ingredients do not reside in the soil after use which allows for treated areas to be easily sown or planted again after treatment.
- Children and pets are able to enter treated areas as soon as the spray has dried
- Treated areas can be replanted after just one day
- Active ingredients do not accumulate in the soil
- Also effective against moss and algae
- All Neudorff Weedkillers are Glyphosate free
How to use Neudorff’s weedkillers
The WeedFree Plus+ products are easy to use and are available both as a concentrate and as a ready to spray solution.
The concentrate dilutes easily with water to give excellent ground coverage. It is important to spray very thoroughly and ensure the plant is dripping wet as only the parts of the plant which are coated will die. During treatment the leaves should be dry, otherwise the product will not be absorbed. The best result is achieved when weeds are in the growing stage and no larger than 10 cm. In the case of problem weeds such as horsetail and ground elder you must repeat the application after approximately 4 weeks.
Effective and long lasting weed control
- Complete herbicide effective against weeds, moss and algae
- Also effective against ground elder and horsetail
- Good long-term effect
- Works even at low temperatures
- Visible results within 1 day after treatment
Neudorff’s full range of weedkillers:
Effective against a wide variety of weeds
Neudorff ’s Weedkillers are complete herbicides for both weeds and grasses. They work against a wide variety of annual and perennial weeds and are also effective against stubborn weeds, moss and algae, a small assortment of which may be found below.
The most common perennial weeds
The most common annual weeds
