Issue 1, April 24, 2017

A (Partial) Roundup of Roundups

New this year to the Roundup brand is "Roundup for Lawns".  Yes, I said brand and yes, I said lawns.  Many know Roundup as a nonselective, systemic herbicide used for broad spectrum weed control.  The active ingredient or weed killer in this traditional form of Roundup is glyphosate.  It's what made the name Roundup well known. 

Over the last decade or so we've seen different formulations of Roundup enter into the marketplace – all sporting the Roundup brand name on the front label.  Many of these different formulations are actually different products altogether for different intended uses and effects.  Take for example, Roundup for Lawns.  This new product targets selective weeds in a lawn without killing the lawn (depending on the type of grass).  That's because this product does not contain glyphosate.  (Remember, glyphosate will kill MANY different plants including your lawn.)  Instead, this product contains a mix of several herbicides including dicamba and sulfentrazone.  For the full list, refer to the label. 

The label should always be carefully read and followed.  By doing so, you will ensure that you are buying the right product for the job--one that is approved for use on your intended site.  In the past, we've heard too often about home gardeners using Roundup Extended Control in their gardens.  Unfortunately, damage resulted and vegetables and ornamentals would not grow.  The product label states that this product is not to be used in gardens or lawns.  It contains glyphosate, pelargonic acid, and imazapic.  The latter provides residual weed control but also unintended injury to garden plants. 

For assistance in determining what Roundup products are approved for lawns, gardens, driveways, and patios, visit https://www.roundup.com/smg/gosite/RUP/home.  The website appears to be user friendly in showing and describing all the available formulations.  Please keep in mind that this should be used as reference only and the actual product label must be read and followed when using the product. (Michelle Wiesbrook)

Author:
Michelle Wiesbrook

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