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Eastern Pennsylvania

What is everyone's approach to using weed and feed to control dandylions around their yard? I typically only use it on the front lawn to the back edge of my patch, since the drainage is from back to front.

But after a couple years of not treating them, they are really bad. There are more weeds than grass. Is there a safe way to deal with this issue?

5/2/2010 5:00:48 PM

Rapid City, SD

24D.........very god stuff....ask boom boom....lol

5/2/2010 7:28:39 PM

Pataskala,OH

is bad

5/2/2010 7:42:09 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Yes I'm aware of that hence my historically cautious approach. My question is does anyone have a better way of dealing with the problem?

5/2/2010 7:51:05 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Round-up or pull them out

5/2/2010 7:54:57 PM

Bethlehem CT

Maybe next year treat the lawn before you set out the plants. Or try a treatment in the fall as soon as your pumpkins frost. If you can smell it, your plants can take it up.

5/2/2010 8:23:23 PM

[email protected]

2,4-D ester can gas off (volatilize) but the more common amine forms DO NOT. That said, most lawn herbicides are 3-way blends which may contain Dicamba which does persist in soil & could leach.

ROUNDUP or the scuffle/stirrup hoe.

5/2/2010 8:33:26 PM

Rapid City, SD

get a weed eating goat.......lol

5/2/2010 9:21:47 PM

St. Thomas Ontario

If memory serves, 2-4D is a synthetic auxin. We did trials with this and found in the right amounts growth greatly increased without killing the plants (used cucumbers at the time). So if your plant is 5.45 yards away with the wind blowing just right and the stars allighed your growth could actually pick up...I wouldn't try it, just playing devils advocate;)

5/3/2010 6:28:07 AM

Mt. Pleasant, MI

Learn to enjoy your dandelions. Make a salad from the greens, make coffee from the roots, make wine from the flowers.

5/3/2010 8:11:36 AM

Williamsburg,KY

2-4D stays a while on the soil, you can get it on your shoes and track it all around and your pets will get it on their feet. I wouldnt use it altho it is tempting..Get along with your weeds in your yard, in your garden, hoe or hand pull or roundup.

5/3/2010 9:04:51 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I don't worry about dandelions, or any other weeds in the lawn for that matter. If I get thistles I dig them out. The clover provides nitrogen for the grass. I figure the less chemicals we spread around, the better. But I'm out in the country and don't have to worry about city neighbors complaining.

5/3/2010 9:05:37 AM

[email protected]

lookajook is spot on correct. We also used 2,4-D in forestry to enhance some propagation methods. In my mad scientist growing days I experimented with it. The vines ran like mad but the sets all aborted.

5/3/2010 10:42:21 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

I wouldn't use it, if I were you. . . .

5/5/2010 10:25:05 PM

Las Cruces NM

yes 2,4-D is an Auxin but as probably know auxin is touchy stuff. In small amounts tends to increases adverturous root growth ... in slightly higher doses induce buds (root inhimited)... and slightly higher plant apical growth (root and bud inhibited = fruit thinning) ... in yet slightly higher doses all growth inhibited ... and, in slightly higher doses is very effective in killing dicots (i.e. 2.4-D primary use). Problem is these are relitive fine lines and plant specific, thus more likely to damage as do good! While it is a thought, keep it to lawn use and as far away from AGs as possible.

5/7/2010 12:50:24 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I realize dandylions may be frowned upon in some towns. I live in the country, and I like the nice yellow color they give to the yard.

5/7/2010 12:55:44 AM

Gold Hill, Oregon

2.4-d was used in agent orange.

5/7/2010 4:52:07 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

good grief nevermind someday I will live out even further in the country and for my next house I hope to have at least 10-15 acres. I am fortunate to have room for my patch but unfortunatly my patch exists within a well manicured residential area. All of my neighbors know what I do. I was only looking for some more experienced advice. Don't think for a second that I care more about my lawn than my pumpkins lol. If anybody knows how to control weeds without broadcasting 2-4-D then let's hear it. It's common knowledge that you can't use that anywhere near a pumpkin patch.

5/9/2010 12:44:20 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

good grief again sorry all! just re-read my original post and realized its not worded right. It should say "[spread 2-4-D] to the front edge of the patch" the point being the same, that the area I spread it in is below the pumpkin patch. Spreading 2-4-D to the back edge of the patch and having it drain into the patch would make no sense. Anyone with suggestions please post otherwise sorry for the confusion. Jim

5/9/2010 12:57:45 AM