Ban on Roundup® , now what?

Since the end of 2018, the sale of glyphosate, better known under the brand name Roundup®, to private individuals has been prohibited. The use of other selective herbicides to keep your garden free of weeds is also no longer possible.

Glyphosate (Roundup®)

In recent years, there has been a lot of fuss about the use of glyphosate-based weed killers, better known under the brand name Roundup®. For years, this famous weedkiller was widely used (often abused) in Flemish gardens. Many gardeners invariably reached for the glyphosate bottle when a weed popped up. However, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, this substance is thought to be carcinogenic, which is why sales to private individuals came to an end at the end of 2018. Garden contractors who can present a phytosanitary licence may still use glyphosate, however. The brand Roundup® still exists but no longer contains glyphosate.

How to control weeds?

🌿 Chemical

You can use products based on pelargonic acid (e.g. Herbi press). This plant-based substance, derived from geranium plants, is a contact agent. When touched, it is absorbed by the green leaves, after which the weeds dry out within three hours. Pelargonic acid is absorbed into the soil but does not harm soil life. The disadvantage of this substance is that it only burns the leaves of the weeds but does not kill the root system. Also, products based on acids will damage your good lawn and not only the weeds. You should therefore be very careful and repeat the treatment regularly. Also bear in mind that the temperature should be at least 15°C for an effective result.

🌿 Natural medium SUPP-Press

This product combats the development of weeds. This plant mixture creates a physical barrier (which also helps against voracious snails, by the way). SUPP-Press is 100% vegetable and comes in granular form.

🌿 Weed burner

You can also use a weed burner to burn off the leaves. This works effectively and quickly. If the temperatures are high enough, you will also kill the root. However, we are less in favour of this method since burning is damaging to the environment.

🌿 Pulling out weeds

Weeds can also be manually removed with a hoe, weed puller or with a mechanical brush.

🌿 House, garden and kitchen tools

There are often stories about the use of salt, bleach and other cleaning agents against weeds. However, be very careful with this:

Salt should definitely not be used if there are plants around as salt pollutes the soil and the plants will die
Other agents are often very harmful to the environment and especially to aquatic life. Do not use them near streams, drains or ponds

Selective weed control

The sale of selective weed killers was also restricted. These products remove dandelions, clover, thistles and other weeds from your lawn without harming the grass.

There are currently (still) no alternatives on the market. For the time being, you will have no choice but to pluck the weeds from your lawn manually or to call on a recognised garden contractor who is still allowed to use these products.

Conclusion

Chemical pesticides are coming under increasing pressure. Many agents are banned for private use. These agents will continue to exist but only for use by professional gardening contractors. Preventive work is therefore even more important.

Some rules:

👉 Maintain & fertilise the lawn. Which fertiliser does your lawn need? Find out here!
👉 Remove emerging weeds immediately (with a weed whacker or by hand)
👉 Sow bare spots immediately so that weeds cannot settle there. You can read more about it here!

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