Most of my garden is laid to lawn and this year is starting to look a bit rough with broad leaf weeds creeping in. I have been reluctant to use a lawn weed killer because my dog plays out there regularly. She tends to roll on the lawn and granules would no doubt stick to her fur and be licked off.
I am considering a liquid weed and feed but still unsure whether it will harm the dog. There are some lawn feeds that are pet safe but they don't kill the weeds and it is the weed killer in it that is the harmful bit.
I can't keep the dog indoors for a great length of time so can anyone who has dogs recommend a safe lawn weed and feed please.
Ive used Evergreen liquid Weed and Feed for years. You only need keep the pets off till it dries. And i cannot guarantee our cats even kept off it for that long, yet they both topped 16 years old, and were forever grooming themselves.
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 14/8/2017
Ive used Evergreen liquid Weed and Feed for years. You only need keep the pets off till it dries. And i cannot guarantee our cats even kept off it for that long, yet they both topped 16 years old, and were forever grooming themselves.
Thank you. I had looked at that one which says to keep pets off until dry but I wanted confirmation from somebody who had used it, so thanks again. I'll give it a go.
I occasionally use Weedol around the paths and edges and also ant powder in places and fortunately the dog keeps away but it is a bit different sprinkling poison all over the lawn - lol.
If you don't have many weeds in your lawns, you could try just watering them with white or cider vinegar, that works... or poke a hole into the centre of each weed and fill with salt, that also works. Of course I'm not suggesting you do that on a huge lawn, as it would take forever! but it works for the odd spot weeding.
Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 16/8/2017
If you don't have many weeds in your lawns, you could try just watering them with white or cider vinegar, that works... or poke a hole into the centre of each weed and fill with salt, that also works. Of course I'm not suggesting you do that on a huge lawn, as it would take forever! but it works for the odd spot weeding.
I have quite a lot of moss and different coloured clovers, and a yellow flower like chamomile (but isn't) which I quite like actually and it is soft underfoot. However, this year I also seem to have acquired a flat leaved weed which is creeping across the surface of the lawn on tendrils...very small flat leaves...haven't a clue what it is but it can't be spot killed unfortunately.
I dont wish to sound harsh Bob, but that 'lawn' is knackered - as a lawn. There looks like plantain and all sorts in that one square foot. Is it more an expanse of grass you cut once in a while?
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 17/8/2017
I dont wish to sound harsh Bob, but that 'lawn' is knackered - as a lawn. There looks like plantain and all sorts in that one square foot. Is it more an expanse of grass you cut once in a while?
That photo isn't my lawn - lol - that was a photo taken off the internet showing the Creeping Charlie weed. Mind you, I wish my grass was as strong as that in the photo
My whole garden is one big lawn with shrub borders and a separate bit of lawn at the front of the house. It is the lawn at the front of the house that has become infested with this weed.
I cut the lawns very regularly, however, a new mower I bought a couple of years ago doesn't cut as low as the old one and I am thinking it doesn't cut the low lying broad leaved weeds as the old one used to, hence they can grow unhindered.
I first noticed the Creeping Charlie developing underneath one of the shrubs earlier this year but wasn't too worried, because I didn't know what it was and thought I could just pull it out when I got round to doing the weeding. Then it started creeping across the lawn, which is when I started getting worried.
I have to say my lawns aren't bowling greens and do contain clovers and other tiny weeds but they do look quite nice most of the time and when the clover is in flower in the spring and early summer it can be a colourful patchwork which I quite like. However I don't treat them with anything because the dog plays out there much of the day and she likes rolling in the plusher areas.
The Creeping Charlie is different though because it lies on the surface of the lawn and looks bad and will no doubt kill off the grass if I can't get rid of it quickly.
The weed and feed should tackle it. Broad leaves will survive on all but the very shortest of cuts (bowling greens), they will just be tinier. And even bowling greens use weedkillers!
Apparently there is a weed killing chemical called Dicamba which sees off Creeping Charlie but I need to do some research as to what brands of weed killer contains it and whether or not it is safe.
I resurrected the old lawn mower last night and managed to skim off the majority of the weed. Looks a lot better but obviously won't solve the problem completely although I am hoping the grass will now grow quicker than the weeds and keep them down.
All you have done is skim the leaves off though. You need the leaves to apply the weedkiller to. Make sure whatever you get is Systemic. Just 'burning' the tops off is pointless.
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 18/8/2017
All you have done is skim the leaves off though. You need the leaves to apply the weedkiller to. Make sure whatever you get is Systemic. Just 'burning' the tops off is pointless.
I realise that but if I keep skimming the leaves off they won't be able to grow
I'll see what it is like in a few days as I am still hesitant about using poisons.
Well to be honest, trying to keep lawns anything like when dogs have access to them is an uphill task. Especially if they are bitches. Far better to swap the dog for a cat, and have a decent lawn. It wont wreck it, it will live longer, and do all its crap in next doors garden.