Does Grass and Weed Killer Kill Bushes?

[tonyastro]

I planted some bushes 8 months ago and now some weeds and bermuda grass have emerged and are now thick and touching the bushes (and possibly stealing nutrients). I'm thinking of brushing some Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer on the grass blades but am afraid that if I water the bushes some of the weed killer might spread to the bushes and kill them. Any ideas?

[JONA878]

Hi Tony...after a lot of searching I managed to find that the most active ingrediants of this weedkiller are
Diquat.
This is a non-residual, contact killer

fluazifop-P-butyl
for broadleaf crops

and Dicamba
which is also a broad leaf killer.

They all do a first rate job but you must avoid drift or contact with any other plants and also with any pond life.
Do not compost any weeds that you have treated.

It's always a job to treat weeds when they are amongst your good plants but if you are careful...it can be done.
Best to use either a brush or better still a weed-wipe glove.

[tonyastro]

Thanks JONA878. So how long after spreading weed killer can I water my bushes?

[JONA878]

After 24 hrs all should be fine.
Most weedkillers are rain fast after a few hours. They have to be to do an effective job.
Good luck...and be carefull not to splash it about onto your other plants.

[tonyastro]

Thanks again!

[bullthistle]

If you use enough, repeat applications it will affect woody plants. I know I lost a larch and cleyera because of weed killer.

[tonyastro]

Thanks. I'll make sure to do this only once and make sure it doesn't touch the bushes

[Marlingardener]

You could temporarily wrap the shrubs in newspaper, or even plastic (but be careful with the plastic--on a sunny day it can burn a shrub in a few minutes). When I have to use an herbicide, I wrap the desirable plants in newspapers and do the necessary, then unwrap them. Just an extra layer or three of protection!

[Katlede]

I just read a short piece on this very topic in "Horticulture" magazine. Apparently Roundup is one of the least harmful - it was suggested you
follow these guidelines: Don't use on a breezy day. Spray the leaves of weeds once/month for about 3 months. Some persistent weeds won't die
the 1st go-round, but will on the 2nd application. If you have expensive, sensitive shrubs, you might cover them with a plastic drop cloth for a minute while you spray. I believe this article was in the June issue of "Horticulture."