I'm managing a landscaping company in Montgomery County, MD, and we're facing ongoing client dissatisfaction due to a pesticide law that limits our options. The law only allows OMRI-listed products or those exempt from EPA labeling under FIFRA 25(b), which means we can't use many traditional herbicides. Japanese stiltgrass has been increasingly common, and I'm looking for advice from other professionals or gardeners on effective ways to deal with it under these restrictions. What tips or compliant products do you recommend?
2 Answers
Hand-pulling is definitely an option, but you're right, it's not practical for bigger problems—just too time-consuming and expensive. Have you thought about using mulch or ground cover to outcompete stiltgrass? It might help keep it at bay without running afoul of the law!
I feel your pain! If the law only limits weed and feed combos, you might still be able to use glyphosate for targeted applications, but double-check the local rules because they can be tight. Otherwise, you might need to resort to frequent hand-pulling, although that gets costly with larger infestations!