Weeds are capable of sucking nutrients and moisture from the soil, overtaking your crops, and making the garden less attractive. Although you cannot completely stop weeds from growing in your garden, you should always keep them to a minimum. The most practical way to achieve this is by using a commercial weed killer, then removing the dead weeds by hand.
Most individuals do not understand how and when to pull weeds after spraying. The idea is to always wait for the seeds to die before attempting to remove them. Pulling the weeds out before they dry out completely can cause them to recur. It, therefore, makes sense to be cautious about how and when to uproot them.
If you are wondering what to do with your dead weeds after spraying, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Grab the weeds by the base
After using a weed killer, most gardeners are tempted to reach down and pull out a handful of weeds in a single tug. Unfortunately, the weeds may snap into two, leaving some roots underground. If these weeds have not died completely and the conditions are conducive, the roots will most likely sprout into new weeds.
So, how long does it take for weeds to die after spraying? The duration depends on the type of weed, the strength of the weed killer, and the conditions under which the killer is applied. Basically, it may take a day or so for you to see results, and a few weeks to completely get rid of all the dead weeds in your garden.
Beware of seeding weeds
While pulling out the weeds, be careful that you do not disturb the soil underneath as you may get more unwanted seeds sprouting into new weeds.
Analyze any surviving weeds – are they different from the ones that died? In case they are, the weed killer you used may not be effective in destroying this particular type of weed.
Leave the weeds in place
While wondering what to do with dead weeds after spraying, you may also decide to leave them in your garden. This applies to young weeds that can serve as organic matter and provide nourishment to the rest of the plants in your garden.
Mature weeds that had started seeding are not ideal for use as organic matter. Collect these in a compost pile or get rid of the seeds before applying them to your garden as mulch. If you leave these weeds in the garden for more time than necessary, the seeds may sprout again, causing a new wave of weeds.
Is pulling dried weeds a waste of time? Certainly not. And is it safe to pull weeds after spraying? Certainly yes, depending on when and how you do it. Understanding the growth cycle of the weeds is essential in determining how to get rid of them.
It is always best to wait for a period when the weeds are actively growing, and right before they seed to remove them. After using a weed killer, give them a few days to ensure that they are totally dead before pulling them out.
IW’s Chief Editor and a lover of green spaces.