I’ve seen too many gardeners accidentally ruin their soil because they assumed ‘RoundUp’ always means glyphosate. It doesn’t anymore.
RoundUp now has about nine different products for home use, and none contain glyphosate unless it has the purple cap (which might still be in some stores but is no longer being made). Most new RoundUp products use triclopyr, which should NEVER be used in vegetable gardens or near edible plants like apple trees or blueberries. Here’s a detailed article explaining the new ingredients: link.
Glyphosate only works on leaves and breaks down quickly in the soil, but triclopyr can be absorbed by both roots and leaves and stays in the soil for much longer. Be cautious if you’re using it near any plants you or your family might eat.
If you want a safer option for killing young or annual weeds, consider pelargonic acid, ammonium nonanoate, or high concentrations of acids, solvents, or salts. These don’t linger in the soil as long, but always use proper PPE, as these are still caustic.
I don’t use chemical weed killers in my garden, but I get that there are times when they’re needed. Please, read the labels carefully to ensure you’re using the right product and not causing harm to your soil, trees, or edible plants.
Yeah, they changed it because of the legal trouble around glyphosate. Now they use something worse for the soil and likely worse for humans too.
If you’re looking for glyphosate, try RoundUp Quick Pro—it has glyphosate and diquat. Diquat works quickly on leaves, and glyphosate is absorbed to kill the plant. KillzAll also contains glyphosate. But as OP said, always read the label, use PPE, and follow safe spraying protocols. Most legal cases against glyphosate involve people who sprayed it professionally for years without proper protection.
Adley said: @Marlow
Thanks! I’ve decided to use glyphosate to deal with bindweed. What PPE do you recommend?
I use disposable gloves, sealed eye protection, and sometimes a mask if it’s windy. I also avoid spraying when it’s windy and use a pump sprayer for better control. If it’s just spot treatments, gloves might be enough.
Flint said:
I’ve used glyphosate for ivy, blackberry, and hawthorn. It’s recommended by my county’s conservation district. You just have to use it correctly.
Painting the cuts with glyphosate works well. I’ve had success with Crossbow for blackberries too. What’s the issue with hawthorn?
Jules said:
I didn’t realize people use herbicides in vegetable gardens. I thought RoundUp was just for getting rid of invasive plants in non-garden areas.
Why would anyone use chemicals that harm bees and beneficial insects? There are natural ways to deal with weeds.
Jules said:
I didn’t realize people use herbicides in vegetable gardens. I thought RoundUp was just for getting rid of invasive plants in non-garden areas.
Not everyone uses it in vegetable gardens. I use it for kudzu, which would destroy everything if left alone. It’s about the size of a car at this point!
Is there a good guide for beginners on when and how to use herbicides? I only use them when the weeds are too much to handle manually, but I’m never sure what’s best to use.
Monsanto and the EPA knew about the cancer risks from glyphosate decades ago. Why trust the labels now? Just don’t use poisons in your garden—show some respect for nature.