Herbicides That Are Safe to Use on Vegetable Plants Like Asparagus

About Herbicides

• An herbicide is any substance that kills plants or prevents them from growing. Some kill any plant they come in contact with while others affect only certain plants like broadleaf weeds, for instance. Some move through the plant, a process called translocation, and can kill the roots when sprayed on the leaves. Others only destroy the part of the plant they come in contact with. All are toxic to humans to some degree. Even herbicides containing acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar, can cause skin burns and eye damage. Always use protective clothing and eye protection whenever using an herbicide. Also be careful to apply the herbicide evenly at the recommended rate to avoid damage from over-applying or poor control from under-applying.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides For Vegetables

• Pre-emergent herbicides keep seeds from germinating, both weed and crop seeds. They can be used around larger plants but consult the label of your product for directions. There are no products approved for use on asparagus during its first year but there are chemicals available that may be used the second and subsequent years before the spears emerge. New products are constantly being developed and approved by the EPA, but one possibility is trifluralin, marketed under the brand name Treflan.

Post-Emergent Herbicides For Vegetables

• One herbicide that will control grass among crops listed on its label is sethoxydim, marketed as Poast. Remember that crops not listed may be sensitive to this product and will be damaged if it is applied.

Bed Preparation Weed Control

• Before any crops are planted, you have the option of using herbicides that kill all plants in which the spray comes in contacts. Glyphosate, marketed as Roundup, is a translocated herbicide that will kill deep-rooted weeds such as dandelion. Formulas that have acetic acid, the acid in vinegar, as their active ingredient, have a low toxicity and are approved for organic gardening but they are contact herbicides that kill only the leaves they touch. Dandelions and other perennial weeds may need repeat applications as they resprout.