Oxalis Is A Difficult Weed To Kill

Oxalis can be a very difficult weed to kill, it is highly resistant to weak herbicide products such as the almost useless Weed and Feed types of weed killers. With prior knowledge of the difficulty in killing Oxalis, and knowledge and planning our weed control practices, we’ll get the job done very effectively and with the least amount of resistance from this tough Oxalis weed.

Buy A Proper Herbicide

Oxalis weeds in lawns will require a proper concentrated herbicide in order to kill the weed completely. Most of these herbicides will be marketed as Broadleaf herbicides or may even be sold as herbicides for Bindii weeds. The good news is that these herbicides will kill many other lawn weed types as well.

WARNING: Buffalo and Kikuyu lawn owners will need to ensure they are buying a variety of Broadleaf herbicide witch has been specifically formulated for their grass types. Applying the wrong herbicide can severely damage or kill these lawn types.

A concentrated broadleaf herbicide will cost between $10-15, and is readily available in many shops which sell garden products.

A 3-4 litre spraying bottle with a wand applicator will also be required, these are also quite cheap at around $10-15.

Mixing and Applying The Herbicide

Always follow manufacturers instructions exactly.

Do not apply any lawn herbicides 1 week before or after lawn mowing. Do not apply herbicides to a wet lawn or when rain or lawn watering is expected within 3 days after application.

Do not apply herbicides to lawns which are under stress such as drought, or on hot weather days.

The herbicide is mixed inside the spraying bottle and diluted with water as per manufacturers directions.

Affected areas of Oxalis are then sprayed with the herbicide. There is no need to do other lawn areas unless there are other weed types. Broadleaf herbicides are the most versatile of all herbicides and will kill many different weed types.

Multiple Oxalis Herbicide Treatments

Because Oxalis is so difficult to kill, the weed may require several treatments, expect and plan for this in advance.

After the first herbicide treatment is completed, leave the lawn for 2 weeks to wait for results.

After 2 weeks, carefully walk around the lawn looking for Oxalis which hasn’t yet died.

Repeat the Oxalis herbicide treatment to any remaining remnants of the weed.

Leave the lawn for another 2 weeks, and repeat the process again if necessary.

If any Oxalis is still remaining 2 weeks after the third treatment, it is time to give the lawn a rest from the herbicide. Give the lawn an application of quality lawn fertiliser and ensure a good watering, and leave the lawn for 4-6 weeks before applying herbicide again.

Other Oxalis Herbicide Considerations

Keep children and pets off the sprayed area for a week after treatment. Check specific manufacturers instructions for exact times to stay off a sprayed lawn. If necessary, section off the lawn and spray in 2 stages.

Only mix enough herbicide which is suitable for treatment, and thoroughly wash out spray bottles after treatment. Old herbicides can become concentrated or lose their effectiveness, so always mix a fresh batch prior to use. Products left in spray bottles can also clog up the spraying mechanisms.