A beautiful flower bed full of blossoming flowers is a joy to behold. But unfortunately, pesky weeds can often invade and ruin the aesthetic. While hand weeding is always an option, it can be time consuming and tiring. This is where a safe weed killer for flower beds comes in handy.
When searching for a suitable weed killer, safety is paramount. You’ll want an effective product that eliminates weeds without harming your prized flowers, pets, kids, or the environment. With so many options on the market, it can get confusing identifying the safest choice for your needs. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide on choosing and using the best weed killer for flower beds.
What Makes a Weed Killer Safe for Flower Beds?
When evaluating the safety of a weed killer for use around flowers, here are some key factors to consider:
1. Selective vs. Non-Selective
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Selective weed killers only target specific weeds without harming flowers or grass. They are safer for flower beds.
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Non-selective weed killers indiscriminately kill all plant life. Use with extreme care around flowers.
2. Natural vs. Chemical
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Natural weed killers made from ingredients like vinegar, soap or salt are safer but can still harm flowers if overapplied.
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Chemical weed killers containing glyphosate or other synthetic herbicides can be toxic. Avoid use around edibles and flowering plants.
3. Application Method
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Granular or spray weed killers are safer as you can directly apply to weeds without contacting flowers.
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Systemic weed killers spread through the plant’s vascular system, increasing risk to nearby plants Use judiciously around flowers
4. Rain Resistance
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Weed killers that become rainproof quickly are safer, reducing risk of spreading to flowers when it rains.
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Non-rainproof weed killers can easily wash onto desirable plants before drying. Avoid using if rain is expected.
5 Safest Weed Killers for Use in Flower Beds
Based on the above criteria, here are 5 of the safest weed killing products for flower beds:
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Preen Natural Garden Weed Preventer (Granular)
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Bonide Burnout Weed & Grass Killer (Natural spray)
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Espoma Organic Weed Preventer (Granular)
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Scotts Turf Builder Weed Control (Selective spray)
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Southern Ag Natural Crabgrass Killer (Selective spray)
Always thoroughly read product labels and instructions before using any weed killer around fragile plants. Precautions like avoiding overspray, applying at correct dilution rates and waiting for the product to fully dry will help ensure safety.
When to Apply Weed Killer in Flower Beds
Timing your weed killer application properly ensures maximum effectiveness on weeds while minimizing risks to flowers:
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Spring or Fall is best, when weeds are young and actively growing. Mature summer weeds are tougher to kill.
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Apply before blooming season begins so flower buds don’t accidentally get damaged.
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Morning hours after dew dries but before hot afternoon sun helps the weed killer absorb better.
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Calm, dry weather prevents spray drift or rain from washing weed killer onto flowers before it dries.
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2-3 sunny days in a row allows weed killer to fully take effect on weeds and become rain resistant.
How to Apply Weed Killer Safely Near Flowers
When applying weed killer in close proximity to precious flowers, use these tips for optimum safety:
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Read and follow all label instructions carefully regarding dilution, spray equipment, protective gear, etc.
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Use a spray shield or cardboard to block any flowers downwind or very close to weeds.
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Spot spray weeds individually versus broadcasting across the whole bed.
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Adjust nozzle to a coarser spray pattern to reduce drift. Don’t spray on windy days.
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Wipe up any accidental drips or spills with a rag to prevent spreading.
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Allow sufficient time for weed killer to fully dry on weeds before permitting people or pets into the area.
With proper selection and application techniques, you can safely eliminate unsightly weeds from your flower beds and enjoy gorgeous, lush blossoms all season long. Always exercise caution when using any weed killing product around prized plants.
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When owning a garden, youll spend a lot of time dealing with pesky weeds. When those weeds are few, the fastest and most environmentally friendly method of getting rid of them is simply picking them by hand or with a weeding tool. But when thats not practical or possible, a weed killer can do the job for you.
There are many different types of weed killers available, and for the best results, you need to choose a non-selective or selective weed killer. Non-selective weed killers, says Noah James, professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance, “are the sledgehammer of the weed control world. They’ll take out everything they touch.”
These products are unsafe for lawn use, but they are great for targeting weeds sprouting through pavers, along fences or walls, growing up through driveways or walkways, or removing weeds in garden beds. Selective weed killers eliminate certain plants but spare others. We recommend choosing a selective weed killer if you are treating a lawn or a garden bed where you dont want to injure the desirable plants. 0:44
We tested nine different products at our homes, including a variety of weed killer types and brands. For each, we used the product on several different spots, including lawns, garden beds, walkways, patios, and along fences. We noted how easy it was to apply the weed killer initially and then observed its effectiveness over the next two weeks. We also considered the products safety, especially in homes with kids or pets.
Our Top PicksBest Overall:
- Contains no harsh chemicals
- Safe for pets and kids once dry
- No dilution needed
- Quick results
- Trigger can stick between squeezes
- Very strong vinegar odor
- Not rain resistant
Our winner for best overall weed killer is this effective vinegar-based product from Green Gobbler. Its OMRI listed, meaning that the Organic Materials Review Institute has approved it as acceptable for use under the US Department of Agricultures National Organic Program guidelines. This is a non-selective weed killer, so it is not for use in lawns; we put it to the test on a variety of weeds growing along a stone pathway, stairs, and sidewalk.
The product requires no mixing, and the container comes with a spray trigger head, which makes it basically pick-up-and-go. While we liked that convenience, we did find that the spray trigger tended to get stuck, meaning that we had to wait for a few seconds between each squeeze of the trigger. However, it was easy to target weeds without overspray drifting onto nearby desirable plants.
Upon spraying the weeds, we first noticed the powerful odor of vinegar, which persisted for more than 30 minutes after using the weed killer. The next thing we noticed was the quick results; within a few hours, the weeds were beginning to turn yellow, and by the next day, all of the sprayed weeds were dry and dead, except for some dandelions. We gave those a second treatment, which did the trick. It was then very easy to remove the dead weeds by hand.
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The Green Gobbler utilizes potent vinegar to kill weeds on contact in cracks and pavers. PHOTO: The Spruce :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spr-weed-killers-apr-24-test-green-gobbler-20-percent-vinegar-grass-daniela-galvez-8-baa2be8c37cd4bddb5174e67ce85fe3c.jpeg)
Within a few hours, weeds turned yellow, and by the next day, they dried up. PHOTO: The Spruce :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Weed_Killer_02-31447735fe924e4abb08d93eadb9bfa0-73009deb90574d75932fe99a6525c84d.jpg)
You dont have to mix this product with anything—just attach the sprayer and go. PHOTO: The Spruce :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Weed_Killer_05-add3621395dd46719df52c9bf5a61e0a.jpg)
Since this is a non-selective herbicide, maybe sure to keep it away from other plants. PHOTO: The Spruce
As we tested this weed killer at a home with pets, we especially liked that its listed as safe for pets (and kids) to play and romp on the treated area once the spray is completely dry. The vinegar spray is effective on a wide range of annual and perennial weeds, as well as moss.
Use it to keep your walkways, pavers, driveway, and other landscaped areas free from weeds. You can also use it on mulched garden beds, but do not allow the spray to come into contact with your planted greenery. Note that it should be used when there is no rain in the forecast for at least a day, as effectiveness will be reduced if it rains before the product works its magic.
Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Crabgrass, dandelions, and many other weeds︱Rain Resistance Within: Not applicable︱Primary Active Ingredient: 20% Vinegar
5 Powerful Weed Killers for Flower Beds
FAQ
Is there anything that will kill weeds but not flowers?
When looking for a natural alternative to herbicides, a cocktail of vinegar, salt and liquid dish soap has all of the ingredients needed to quickly kill weeds. Acetic acid in the vinegar and the salt are both very good at drawing moisture from weeds.
What is the best homemade weed killer for flower beds?
The easiest homemade weed killer is to mix 1 gallon vinegar with 1 cup salt and 1 Tablespoon dish soap. Then spray on the leaves and stems of the weeds during the sunniest part of the day. The vinegar and salt will dry out the plant while the dish soap prevents the mixture from running off.
How do you spray weeds without killing flowers?
- Vinegar. Spray it on the whole weed. This will kill a lot of different weeds, though multiple applications may be needed.
- Rubbing alcohol. Spray lightly on the whole weed, heavily at the center where the root(s) go down.
- Boiling water. Pour carefully!