Blackthumb Bob's Product Reviews

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BT Bob's Review Rating Scale:

Superior product doing what is says it does well at exceptional value
Excellent product with few limitations and with great value
Does what it says pretty well, but could be better
Some limitations or draw backs, but basically works.
Hey, it's your money.  Do what you want with it.


Ortho® Grass-B-Gon®
First Reviewed by Blackthumb Bob
6-9-99
Product Description:
Grass-B-Gon® is a selective herbicide designed to kill grass without injuring ornamental plants.  It comes in a ready to use 24 oz spray bottle.

Review:

Every once in a while, there comes along a product that jumps out and grabs you.  Grass-B-Gon® was one of these for me!  I have several plantings of ground covers out of which I struggle to keep grass from growing.  Among these, I have Ajuga, Pachysandra, and Periwinkle (Vinca Minor).  As I sat pulling Bermudagrass from them, I said to myself, there ought to be a better way.

The next day, I was in Target and, POW! Grass-B-Gon® jumped off the shelf claiming to kill grass and not kill my plants.  Too good to be true, I told myself as I put three bottles of the stuff in my basket.  After reading the directions carefully, I applied the spray to the offensive plants.  Just as the label claimed, in about a week the grass was dead, but the plants were unharmed.

Now, I always have a few bottles on the shelf.  Once when I wanted to convert a bothersome section of lawn into a flower bed, I tried RoundUp® (another good product), but the bermudagrass was not completely killed with the first application.  The next time, after discovering Grass-B-Gon®, I used it instead.  About a week later, dead grass.  The label says you may need multiple treatments to do this, but I was successful with one.

Since the product only comes in 24 oz. size, I sometimes pour several bottles into a pump-up tank sprayer for large jobs.  I use Grass-B-Gon® around all plants, avoiding contact as much as possible, to kill grass.  Around listed plants, I have no fear and the grass better watch out!  Where I have mulch around trees, I spray the border area to keep it nice and grass free.

As you can see, I really like this product!

Rating:

Pros:
This product kills grass, but does not harm any of the ornamentals listed on the label.  I also checked it out on a common day lily and so far so good.

Cons:
Does not come in concentrate so you have to buy the small bottles -- bothersome if you have large areas to cover. Bottle tends to not spray well after fluid level gets low.

Cost:
A little expensive, as I recall costing in the $4.00 range.

Company:
OrthoŽ

Product information from Ortho's web site:

http://www.ortho.com/content/products/weed_brush.html#7

(Additional comments from product spokesperson welcome: Click here.)

Availability:
Available in most retail stores with lawn and garden departments.  I get it at Target, Wal-mart, or Home Depot.

Other Reviews:
Add your comments about Grass-B-Gon®

Jeff Williamson adds:

I have had much success using this product in my own Vinca Minor.  I spray it on, and in a few days, the grass dies.  While I don't go for it in large quantities as BT Bob seems to, I do keep it around for use in my ground covers.  I also have had trouble with getting the last few ounces from the bottle.  I agree, however that this is a good product.