Usually used for killing weeds and unwanted plants, herbicides are widely used around the world in gardening and agriculture.
An herbicide is a substance used to kill plants, usually unwanted weeds. There are two types of herbicides:
- Species specific. These herbicides kill specific plant species, leaving other species unharmed.
- Non-specific. These herbicides kill any plant they come in contact with.
Most commercially-available herbicides are chemically produced.
If you decide to use chemical herbicides, follow instructions on the package carefully, avoid contact with the skin, eyes, mouth and nose.
Many herbicides have short half-lives, and dissipate quickly. Many others have very long half-lives and can continue in the soil for generations. Unrestricted use of certain herbicides is suspected to be a major cause of pollution in rivers, streams and lakes.
The copyright of the article What are Herbicides? in Desert Gardens is owned by Robert Dailey. Permission to republish What are Herbicides? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
