Herbicides for Spinach
- Three healthy spinach leaves.spinach image by ivan kmit from Fotolia.com
Spinach herbicide options are extremely limited, according to the University of California. No one type of herbicide works on all weeds. It is important to understand which herbicide can eradicate which weeds. Weed control for spinach usually includes a pre-plant fumigant with metham sodium or a pre-emergent herbicide. - Pre-plant fumigants, such as metham sodium, are herbicides in the form of gaseous poisons applied to soil to protect spinach from invasive weeds. Metham sodium helps spinach grow because, in addition to weed control, it manages diseases and nematodes within soil that pose a threat to the health of the plant. According to the University of California, pre-plant fumigants should be used at least 14 days before planting spinach. When applying a pre-plant fumigant as your herbicide for spinach, make sure the soil is well-cultivated and moist.
- Preplant foliar herbicides, such as glyphosate and pelargonic acid, are used before planting spinach. This type of herbicide for spinach should be applied to pre-formed beds before planting to control infestation by killing existing weeds and seedlings that have emerged from soil. Beginning with healthy soil provides a stable growth environment for healthy, vigorous spinach plants. According to the University of California, you should use glyphosate on established weeds and pelargonic acid on seedlings because of the unique way in which each herbicide functions.
- Postplant preemergent herbicides for spinach, such as cycloate and S-metolachlor, are used after planting spinach, but before it has emerged from the soil. According to the University of California, post-plant pre-emergent herbicides must be applied to the soil and then followed by water. The best method for effective use of this herbicide for spinach is to follow application with irrigation by sprinkler. An application of one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water will activate the post-plant pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds.
- Post-plant post-emergent herbicides for spinach, such as phenmedipham, are used after the spinach emerges from the soil. According to the University of California, post-plant post-emergent herbicide for spinach can be applied in one of two ways: all at once or split into two applications. If you use one application, apply when the spinach grows four to six true leaves. If you prefer using a split application method, apply the herbicide when the spinach plant has two true leaves. Administer the second application four to six days later. According to the University of California, you may notice temporary adverse reactions on your spinach plants, such as stunting, yellowing or tip burn. Also, phenmedipham may only be used on spinach grown for processing or seed.
