The Dreaded Dandelion.

Herbicide ,a good friend but a bad enemy.A good friend because it will kill all your weeds,a bad enemy because it will make you really sick if you do not take the correct precautions when using it.I have lived in Calgary for 29 years now and every year they have a problem with the dreaded dandelion.Last year the City decided not to spray the dandelions and i predicted that this year they would be overrun with them.Sure enough,as predicted,dandelions are everywhere and now they have a bigger problem on their hands.I did not want to get drawn into this because as usual i do have my own ways of dealing with dandelions and any other weeds for that matter.Why i got drawn into this was that one of the local TV stations on the news one night this week,showed one of the leading landscape companies giving a lawn some TLC,as they called it,to get rid of the dandelions.My first concern was that first of all,the guy doing it was not wearing a mask.The second was, he was putting so much herbicide on there i thought he was watering the grass.Not only that,but to me,the lawn was not that bad and did not need such drastic measures.Just think for one minute,this company could not keep up with the orders they had,they had so much work.I know for a fact,with doing lawn care in Calgary myself for 14 years,that 90% of the lawns in Calgary do not have enough top soil underneath for good drainage.Now this lawn was done 3 days ago,along with goodness knows how many more lawns.Today ,it is pouring with rain and the herbicide will wash off the lawn and into the storm drains which will end up in the rivers and waterways.Landscape companies are out to make money just like any other business,they will even sell you a yearly package you don't need.Now,this is what i do.First of all,i have a large vegetable garden and i make sure no herbicide or any other spray for that matter,goes anywhere near the garden.Next,the grassed parts.Yes,there was a few dandelions and i sprayed them with 24D.No i don't water the grass with it,i use a very fine spray.Also,i mix my own spray.This way i can make it as strong as i need it.Now this is the kicker,most sprays are now sold ready mixed and are not cheap to buy.Now again,i have to say these are my views only,you have to decide for yourself what to do.In my mind the ready mixed sprays are too strong for what is needed most of the time,i have proved this many times.For instance,this is what i do,the label on my round up bottle says mix 100ml of concentrate to 2lt of water,i mix 50ml to 2lt of water just to start with.I have done the same with the 24D this year,my dandelions are dead with only using half if what is recommended.I will spray again in the fall but only using 25ml to 2lt of water.Take this strength test,empty out your round up spray container,then fill it with water and spray it on the weeds,it might take a few days but it will kill them.Next year i will only have to spot spray,and the year after i may not have to spray at all.