I want to apply Preen to a bed with daylilies, iris and cannas. I have read that it's safe for the daylilies and irises, does anyone here know if it is safe for use around cannas? Thanks for your help:)
Roseana
preen
I think Preen only hinders seed germination. I've had success on a newly dug bed - haven't done it with an established bed.
preen works great to prevent seed germination it will not hurt any plants I apply it every spring to my beds. Its the weeds that are already their that have become a huge problem. If you are good at it roundup is great for getting out weeds. In fact that is what I use around my cann beds and in the field. You have to be very exact and careful with it though. If i do hit a plant that I did not want to get roundup on i wash it off or pull the leaf off that was hit. This will keep the plant alive. But i know most poeple are scared to death to use it around their plants. But I doubt I could keep this place halfway under control with out it.
Thanks for responding! I went for it yesterday. I have been tempted to use round up but you're right it was just to scary! Great tip about washing it off or removing any leaves that were hit. I've seen a lot of the pictures you post. Beautiful plants! Thanks again.
Roseana, there is list of the plants that it will kill on the side. All I remember is the smaller glad bulbs will not come up if Preen is used. But I know there were others. I love the stuff. I couldn't live without it. I remember I would spend a day each weekend on my hands and knees pulling up weeds. These days, once down, I would never be able to get back up. LOL. At least not 100 times as is need with weeding!
Kell, I feel your pain! This is only my second year gardening...I didn't realize how much weeding would be involved! I planted most everything on 12 inch centers, so the beds are pretty tight. I had to do something, the kids were preparing to mutiny if we had to do much more weeding.
It will get better as you pull the weeds before letting them go to seed. I used to swear someone would walk by and throw handfuls of grass seeds in my garden. I would have all kinds trying to grow where only flowers were allowed. LOL Now I just toss Preen a couple times a year. GONE!! I do miss my volunteers though. I used to have lots of California poppies in the spring.
A trick I use with Round Up is I put on 2 pairs of disposable latex gloves, the kind nurses use. (I am a nurse, LOL). I then spray my gloved hand with the Round Up and grab the weed with my wet hand. I go up an down wetting the entire weed with RU. It works great to get rid of those pesky plants/weeds that grow too close to your prized plants that pulling does not get rid of it.
I have invasive Pink Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) that I planted during an insane moment that spreads by underground runners. I have been trying to get rid of it for years now. It always comes up right next to a prized plant. Pulling it never works for it just sends another 1000 shoots up. I have it under good control now as long as I keep after it. Someday I hope to be rid of it completely. I HATE IT SO!!`