[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

I have used Roundup, a systemic, cautiosly using a small hand sprayer on 
which I can, in early morning calm, carefully spray only that foliage I want 
to control. Any drift on any other foliage will certainly kill or seriously 
damage it. You can use a piece of cardboard to keep the spray from hitting 
other desirable plants. But, I believe the compound breaks down in soil to 
become harmless to future plantings. I have used it to kill a lot of 
undesirable wire and Bermuda grasses. Ordinary weeds and other undesirable 
non-runner type  grasses are better dispatched with a sharp hoe. There is a 
lot of material on the internet from which you can educate yourself on 
Roundup and gain confidence with its use.

Keep in mind that a systemic, Roundup, will likely kill any plant or weed it 
touches. It is non-selective.

All things considered, the best way, in my opinion, to eliminate bermuda is 
to dig everything to at least 4 inches, five or six better, and remove the 
stolens by sifting the sod through 1/2 inch screen.   Save and return all 
the soil that contains millions of precious micro-organisms The Subtropical 
Demonstration garden at the Cooperative Extension was previously a thirty 
year old neglected Bermuda and wire grass lawn. I hauled bushels and bushels 
of stolens and sod to the dumpster.  After sifting the sod as described, a 
sprig of grass popped up here and there for a couple of years. These were 
easily removed with a trowel. I have worked in that plot, the Subtropical 
Demonstration garden, nearly every weekend for over seven years without 
seeing a single blade of bermuda grass rear its ugly head in the last five 
without using a drop of chemical grass killer.

Roundup is very effective and I have used it on ocassion strictly according 
to the instructions and have not had any problems at all, but, as with all 
chemical compounds, carefully read and understand all precautionary 
directions the same as you would medications in your medicine cabinet used 
on yourself.  Roundup is efficient only, I believe, if the plant you want to 
kill is actively growing. I often fertilize and deep-water a few days before 
spraying Roundup to the foliage only on a perfectly still day or early 
morning.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mcmonson at yahoo.com>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 1:04 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Monson
> 85020
> mcmonson at yahoo.com
>
> In Feb 2008 I have dug our Bermuda and St. Augustine grass. Then in March 
> 2008 I planted shrubs and flowers.  I also laid a paver walkway through 
> the garden.  1.What can I spray on the returning grass as it appears that 
> will not harm my plants? 2. Is there something I can sterilize the ground 
> where my pavers are to eliminate all growth without the substance 
> traveling with the application of water, thus killing/harming my new 
> plants and shrubs?
>
>
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