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Old 07-30-2011, 10:16 PM
 
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When I move to Arizona, it will be the first time I've ever had to deal with keeping a yard free of weeds, so I'll be a weed-killer newbie. Here in rural TN, anything and everything is allowed to grow. Most of our yards are probably 50% weeds, and we just consider it grass. Since the DIY weed killers are toxic, I probably wouldn't do the job myself, as my dog would have use of the yard and I don't want any toxins where he has access. Does anyone know if there are any landscaping companies that apply pet-safe weed killers?
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Old 07-30-2011, 10:40 PM
 
Location: Metro Phoenix, AZ USA
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I'm sure there are several who can help you with that. In those cases, you keep the dog off the lawn or gravel for about an hour, and then you're fine.
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Old 07-30-2011, 10:45 PM
 
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Originally Posted by observer53 View Post
I'm sure there are several who can help you with that. In those cases, you keep the dog off the lawn or gravel for about an hour, and then you're fine.
Thanks, observer. But what about a dog who eats grass? Doesn't the weed killer stay on the grass long after it dries? Obviously if I have rocks, he won't have grass to eat, but if I'm in an HOA and have grass, I would have to keep it both weed-free and edible when he decides to munch on a grassy snack.
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Old 07-31-2011, 01:54 AM
 
Location: When you take flak it means you are on target
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I've been using the Ortho Ground Clear Concentrate mixed at double strength. I sprayed about 3 times last winter and very few weeds since.

Also I use a coarse push broom to level pea rock gravel, seems to provide a better fininsh than a rake.
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Old 07-31-2011, 06:35 AM
 
Location: Metro Phoenix, AZ USA
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In the back yard, you don't have to worry about controlling every little weed for the HOA. You may end up not having much of a weed problem, and won't have to keep spraying the whole lawn. He shouldn't be in the front yard, so no problem there. There are weed killers that would be safe for your dog... just ask a reputable pest/weed control specialist when you get here.
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Old 07-31-2011, 08:36 AM
 
Location: Rural Michigan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tnp View Post
Thanks, observer. But what about a dog who eats grass? Doesn't the weed killer stay on the grass long after it dries? Obviously if I have rocks, he won't have grass to eat, but if I'm in an HOA and have grass, I would have to keep it both weed-free and edible when he decides to munch on a grassy snack.
You really really want to break your dog of the habit of eating vegetation before moving here. Everything here that's green has "pickers" or thorns, and some of the vegetation is poisonous - a neighbor lost her dog because he ate a certain type of cactus.
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Old 07-31-2011, 01:37 PM
 
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Thanks, observer and zippyman.

The only vegetation he eats is grass, and it has to be a certain type of grass. He won't eat just anything. He picks through my yard until he finds just the right kind of grass. He only does it occasionally, mostly when he has an upset tummy. He has never messed with any other vegetation, and there is a lot of edible vegetation that grows in my yard that he could eat if he wanted, but he won't touch it. He also doesn't go outside unattended, so I can watch to make sure he doesn't eat anything else. I just would hate to have to keep him from eating plain ole grass when he wants to settle his stomach, as long as there are no pickers in it.
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Old 07-31-2011, 10:32 PM
 
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tnp...try spraying a heavy concentration of vinegar on the weeds...I know Dave the Garden Guy (of local tv fame) sells the stuff, perhaps you could find it or something similar at a store/nursery.

In using the vinegar myself, I notice it works fine under the following conditions:

1) try to use it on a hot, non-windy, non-cloudy day
2) use lots of it, dousing the leaves

Good luck! I don't have a dog, but don't trust the EPA/FDA to have our best interests at heart when it comes to monitoring herbicides and what potential harm they can do to all of us(whether human or pet).
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Old 07-31-2011, 11:19 PM
 
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Thanks for the idea, Xica! I'm going to give it a try here in TN on some weeds by the deck I want to get rid of. I don't bother with weeds in the grass, and I have 2 pygmy goats who "weed eat" around the trees and deck pretty good, but they are spoiled little goats and are starting to get picky and passing over a few that I want gone from my deck area. Didn't dare spray poison in that area since the goats eat other vegetation there. If the vinegar works, that would be a safe solution.
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Old 08-01-2011, 09:02 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tnp View Post
Thanks for the idea, Xica! I'm going to give it a try here in TN on some weeds by the deck I want to get rid of. I don't bother with weeds in the grass, and I have 2 pygmy goats who "weed eat" around the trees and deck pretty good, but they are spoiled little goats and are starting to get picky and passing over a few that I want gone from my deck area. Didn't dare spray poison in that area since the goats eat other vegetation there. If the vinegar works, that would be a safe solution.

You're welcome! Hope it works. The only thing I think I forgot to mention is that I believe it works best with direct sunlight, so hopefully you are getting lots of sun on your deck!
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