With the arrival of Spring, many people are starting to plant home gardens. Unfortunately, a few weeks after these gardens have been planted, homeowners often start to have problems with unwanted grasses. If not treated properly, what starts as a few springs of grass by a vegetable plant can become a real issue for the whole garden.
By applying a herbicide with the active ingredient Sethoxydim, undesirable grasses can be controlled without harming the vegetables. Herbicides with the active ingredient Sethoxydim are designed to only kill grasses. This can be a very beneficial chemical to help maintain a clean garden throughout the growing season. It is important to follow the instructions on the herbicide label to properly mix the solution in a small sprayer. If properly mixed, this herbicide can be sprayed directly over the top of broad leaf vegetables to kill grasses. This is also safe to use in flower beds, as long as there are no ornamental grasses growing in the same flower bed that can be killed. The same rule applies to corn. Since corn is in the grass family, Sethoxydim-based herbicides will kill it.
This herbicide can usually be purchased from farm supply stores under the following commercial names: Poast, Poast Plus, and Segment II. Home gardeners who do not have a license to purchase commercial chemicals can find this herbicide at most home garden stores under some of the following names: Grass Killer, Grass Beater, Over the Top II Grass Killer, Grass Getter, or other similar names. Be sure to always check the name of the active ingredient before purchasing. Remember make sure that the label says Sethoxydim under the active ingredients and that it is labeled for use on gardens.
For more information on maintaining a home garden, contact Ross Greene the Evans County ANR Agent at wgreene5@uga.edu or 912-739-1292.
Sand Burr 
Texas Panicum
