Faced with invasive brambles invasive, one question arises: should it be a brushkiller selective like Garlon, or a total herbicide that destroys everything in its path? Both eliminate brambles, but not in the same way, and the right choice mainly depends on what you want preserve around.
This article compares the Garlon brush cutter and the total herbicide against brambles : their differences, their effectiveness, their advantages and disadvantages, precautions to take, and alternatives. Enough to make an informed choice according to your situation.
Garlon and total herbicide: what difference?
The difference is fundamental. The Garlon is a selective herbicide with fluroxypyr: it targets plants broad-leaved, like brambles, nettles, and thistles, while preserving grasses of the lawn and the flora fodder. This is what gives it its role as brushkiller selective on vegetation woody, unlike herbicides classic that only acts on the herbaceous.
A total herbicide, like a glyphosate product, is non-selective : it destroys all vegetation it touches, brambles included, but also the lawn, the weeds and all plant neighboring. It is the radical tool to clear everything, whereas the Garlon aims at a weeding targeted.
Both are systemic, meaning they go down to the roots of the brambles to limit regrowth. But one sorts, the other does not. To understand this logic in detail, our guide selective or total herbicide compares the two families according to each situation.
Effectiveness against brambles: Garlon or total herbicide?
On the brambles themselves, both types of products are effective, as both reach the roots.
The Garlon brush cutter destroys the brambles while leaving intact the lawn and the plants with fine leaves around. This is ideal when the brambles grow in the middle of a lawn, along a fence grassy or near species to be preserved.
The total herbicide is, on the other hand, more suitable when there is nothing to preserve : a completely invaded area, bare soil to clean, a mineral surface. It eliminates brambles but also everything else, which is only a problem if there are plants to keep.
In short, theeffectiveness on the bramble is not the real criterion for choice: it is the presence or absence of vegetation to preserve around.
When to choose Garlon brushkiller?
The Garlon brush cutter is the right choice as soon as there is something to preserve.
- Bramble in a lawn or turf : the Garlon the eliminates without clear the grasses.
- Bramble along a fence, an edge, or a grassy hedge, where a total herbicide would also kill the grass and the plants neighboring areas.
- Regular maintenance of embankments or shrubby areas, where you want to control brambles without clearing everything.
In these cases, it is better to treat with Garlon then clear brush once the vegetation is dried, rather than clear brush first and see the brambles to start again. It is a weeding targeted that fits into a maintenance routine gardening maintenance.
When to choose a total herbicide?
The total herbicide is necessary when the area is completely overgrown and thatno plants to keep.
- A dense wasteland where brambles, weeds and brush have completely covered it.
- A mineral surface such as a gravel yard or driveway.
- A large area to clear before a new development.
Glyphosate is the total herbicide the best known for these uses. To use it correctly, consult our guide on how to use a glyphosate herbicide.
Comparison table: Garlon or total herbicide against brambles
| Situation | Recommended product |
|---|---|
| Bramble in a lawn or turf | Garlon brush cutter |
| Bramble along a fence or grassy hedge | Garlon brush cutter |
| Maintenance of embankments with vegetation to preserve | Garlon brush cutter |
| Completely overgrown wasteland, nothing to keep | Total herbicide |
| Gravel yard, driveway, mineral surface | Total herbicide |
| Large area to clear | Total herbicide |
Advantages and disadvantages of each solution
Each product has its strengths and limits.
The Garlon brush cutter has for advantages of preserve the lawn and the plants undesirable plants, offering targeted treatment of brambles and a lasting systemic action. Its drawback: it only acts on plants broad-leaved plants, not on grasses, and requires caution near shrubs to keep.
The total herbicide has for advantage a effectiveness maximal effect on all vegetation, ideal for clearing an area. Its drawback: it destroys all, so unusable near plants to keep, and it requires more precautions.
Usage precautions and environmental impacts
Whether you choose the Garlon or a total herbicide, the right precautions are the same.
- Read the label and follow the dosage indicated.
- Apply in mild, dry weather, without wind, to avoid drift towards plants to protect.
- Do not treat if rain is forecast in the next few hours.
- Wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing, and keep children and pets away until dry.
- Leave the foliage in place before treating, because the plant absorbs the product through its leaves ; clear brush after drying.
- Rinse the sprayer after each use weeding and never dispose of tank residues into gutters or waterways.
On the environmental impacts, these herbicides synthetic herbicides reduce vegetation and must be limited to necessary uses. In France, their sale and use are strictly regulated and reserved for authorized users.
Ecological alternatives to eliminate brambles
Before or in addition to treatment, some alternatives gentler alternatives exist against brambles.
Theuprooting mechanical and repeated cutting with a brush cutter or a chainsaw gradually exhaust the brambles, at the cost of several applications. The mulching of a wasteland area deprives vegetation of light for several months. White vinegar or boiling water burn the foliage on the surface without reaching the roots. These methods are suitable for small areas but are less durable than a herbicide systemic on brambles well established.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which product is more effective against brambles, Garlon or a total herbicide? Both reach the roots and are effective. The Garlon brush cutter preserves the lawn and the plants neighboring, the total herbicide destroys all vegetation. The choice depends on what you want to keep.
Which product to use to eliminate brambles without affecting other plants? The Garlon, because it is a selective herbicide : it targets brambles and the plants broadleaf while sparing the grasses and the lawn.
When to prefer a total herbicide? On a wasteland completely overgrown, a gravel courtyard or a large area to clear, where no plants to keep.
Are there ecological alternatives? Yes: uprooting, repeated cutting, mulching, white vinegar or boiling water. They are gentler but less durable on brambles persistent.
What precautions should be taken? Respect the dosage, treat in calm and dry weather, wear protection, keep children and animals away, and respect the regulations on phytopharmaceutical products.
Choosing between the Garlon brush cutter and a total herbicide against brambles does not depend on the most powerful product, but on your situation: the Garlon if you need to preserve a lawn, an edge or plants neighboring, a total herbicide if the area needs to be completely cleared. By first identifying what you want to keep, the choice becomes obvious. For targeted treatment of brambles without damaging the rest, discover the Garlon brush cutter.
