According to Scotts, the manufacturer of Roundup (glyphosate) weed killer, its safe to plant ornamental flowers, shrubs, and trees the next day; and they say you can plant grasses and edible plants and trees after three days.

As weed killers go, glyphosate is considered relatively safe, because of how quickly it breaks down. However, when using a glyphosate weed killer such as Roundup, I’d always give it a few days to do its job and be gone before you start digging. Here’s why:

  • Needs Time To Work: Contact weed killers, such as glyphosate, are absorbed through the leaves and slowly make their way down to the plant roots. If you plow, dig, or disturb the weeds before they’re good and dead, you risk breaking off some live roots that will sprout again.
  • Residues in Edible Plants: If applied properly and carefully, the small amount of residue on your soil surface shouldn’t harm new plants. However, you wouldn’t want those residues to be absorbed by plants you plan to eat, so I’d hold off on planting herbs and vegetables for several days.
  • Might Harm Seed: New, tender sprouts from seed might also be vulnerable to soil residues, so give them a chance to break down before sowing grass or other seeds.

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    Danny Lipford

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    Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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