killing weeds without poisoning well

[oilboy123]

What do you guys use to kill weeds? I have a well for my water needs out in rural land. The weeds I'm trying to control are growing in the driveway cracks, and in the gravel, and there is a fair amount of gravel, and weeds.

My brother thinks Roundup is safe for wells? I'm not so sure of that. I tried a little test with vinegar and dish soap, not looking real good so far.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[Run]

Dump a pot of boiling water right on the weeds.

 

[alunsy21]

You could always smother the weeds by covering them up. I would not use roundup if you think it will get into the well water. You probably don't want to drink water contaminated with glyphosate

 

[oilboy123]

Not a bad idea..... but I do have a crud load of weeds. Maybe one of those sterilizing steamer machines?
Originally Posted By: Run
Dump a pot of boiling water right on the weeds.

 

[Run]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
Not a bad idea..... but I do have a crud load of weeds. Maybe one of those sterilizing steamer machines?
Originally Posted By: Run
Dump a pot of boiling water right on the weeds.

I never used a machine like that. I think it could do the trick.

 

[Lyman]

Use a weed burner.

 

[Farmer]

The ones that are growing in the driveway cracks you can hit them with the pressure washer.

 

[UltrafanUK]

Road salt will kill most plants for at least a year.
Oddly enough Poppies like them, as do some types of Florida saw grass, but they will do a real good job on weeds and unwanted grass.

Try to avoid use over any steel drainage pipes for obviuos reasons.

 

[QuietPortage]

Glyphosate (generic Roundup) is safe when used properly. Buy the 41% concentrate from your local farm/tractor supply store. Mix that at 2.5oz/gallon and add a squirt of dish soap to act as a surfactant.

 

[SHOZ]

Vinegar, dish soap and salt.

http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/vinegar-weed-killer.html

 

[4D-56]

Glyphosate is NOT safe. Thanks for questioning that. I tend to use the pressure washer method or just plain old, labour/time soaking weed pulling. These pesticides have helped us become more and more lazy, looking for a quick way. Good luck!

 

[BobsArmory]

The weed killers that you can buy at the store are actually pretty safe to use. The active ingredients used in Round Up (glyphosate) and Weed B Gone (2,4-D) type products are approved for use in lake weed control. Yes, you can apply directly to lake and ponds. Back in the early 90's I did lake weed control and was licensed to do so.

Here is the secret to proper AND safe weed control. Follow the directions! If you follow directions you will never see any herbicides in your well water.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Just get yourself a propane weed burner.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Originally Posted By: Blkstanger
Use a weed burner.
This is what I use.

 

[IveBeenRued]

I agree with several others above. I'd advise against Roundup and recommend using a propane weed torch.

I personally use this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Red-Dragon-VT-2-3...rds=Weed+burner

I like it because it has a squeeze valve that allows me to feather it really nicely. I can go gently enough to get weeds against structures but I can really put the power down when clearing the driveway.

 

[dlundblad]

Roundup is pond friendly. 2 4-D not so much, but it leaves grass behind.

I have a sprayer that goes in the bed of the Mule and spray once a year around the pond.

Add in a table spoon of dish soap and the chemical sticks to the plants better.

 

[edwardh1]

how deep is the well?
shallow well 15ft or 200 ft deep?

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Roundup is pond friendly. 2 4-D not so much, but it leaves grass behind.


Wait, I thought they outlawed 2-4-D years ago?

 

[Al]

Tempest in a teacup. Don't worry about a few gallons or more of weed killer.

 

[pcoxe]

Originally Posted By: Delta
Originally Posted By: dlundblad
Roundup is pond friendly. 2 4-D not so much, but it leaves grass behind.


Wait, I thought they outlawed 2-4-D years ago?


2,4,5-T was outlawed in the 70's. It was one of the components of agent orange. The main problem with 2,4,5-T was that Dioxin was also created during the manufacturing process and passed along with the herbicide. Dioxin has been found to be both toxic and carcinogenic.