Re: Bio-control for dandelions expected soon

**H*@aol.com**

The problem with these two products is that dandelions are perennial weeds  
with fairly substantial tap roots that are quite capable of regenerating new  
shoot growth.  Simply burning off the foliage with these products most  likely 
won't work unless it's applied repeatedly and the plant is no longer able  to 
generate any more growth.  But that also means you're spraying the  nearby 
grasses which will also be damaged and browned as neither product is a  selective 
herbicide..it burns whatever it hits.  I also have doubts about  how 
effective mowing is.  We cut nearly 50 acres once a week...at this time  of the year 
twice a week and we cut it only to three inches.  Our untreated  lawn areas are 
a sea of yellow in early May even though they get cut once and  sometimes 
twice through June.  The dandelions seem to just slip under the  blades.  On the 
other hand on our fine lawns (only 8 acres) we do one  annual broadleaf 
application of an herbicide in the fall and then hand  pull any escapees in the 
spring.  As we all know...I hope...a well tended  and cared for lawn (with little 
or no pesticides) can be lush, green and  therefore...mostly weed free.  The 
correct use of corn gluten will also  help as it will inhibit the germination 
of any dandelion seeds that breeze  in.

Andrew Messinger
The Hampton Gardener

The Hampton Gardener is a Registered Trade  Mark
(Published every Thursday in the Southampton Press, The Press and the  
Easthampton Press)

In a message dated 5/20/2008 1:17:31 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
TalkingPoints@PlantSoup.Com writes:

Two  thoughts - both easier than a grubbing knife but still require  
some  labor:

Horticultural vinegar - 10-20% acetic acid (household vinegar  is  
4-5%).  
Nature's Avenger - this is a new, organic  certified product on the  
market.  It comes from a woman-owned  company in Davis California.   
It's active ingredient is the  citrus oil d-limonene, the same  
ingredient in the citrus based  de-greaser/cleaners that are on the  
market.  

On May 18,  2008, at 3:22 PM, Yvonne Cunnington  wrote:

**************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family 
favorites at AOL Food.      
(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
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