Most herbicides available at gardening centers are not concentrated enough or do not contain the right herbicide for effective control. Spraying any herbicide during early spring growth only kills the tops of the plants, and causes the root systems to send up new shoots. Repeated spraying will be necessary. This is a waste of time, chemicals, and money. Fall applications are more effective as the plants are drawing nutrients into the root system for winter storage, and the herbicide will move more efficiently into the root system.
Some spot spraying is necessary to keep newly sprouted plants from maturing.
Curtail can be used close to desirable trees and shrubs but spray drift must be avoided to prevent injury to the plants. Care must be taken when applying Curtail in areas where there is a high water table or very permeable soils. Apply in the bud stage or in the fall. Follow all instructions on the label. It is labeled for use on range, permanent pasture, fallow cropland, non-crop areas, and Conservation Reserve Program acreage.