Crossbow is a selective broadleaf killer that will not harm grass. Crossbow is safe for use in lawns and pastures, where it excels at killing vines and woody plants without damaging grasses. The best use for Crossbow is clearing brambles, poison ivy, blackberries, and tough brush in areas where you want to protect the grass.
Why is Crossbow Safe for Grass?
Crossbow contains two active ingredients: Triclopyr and 2,4-D. Both of these active ingredients target broadleaf plants (weeds, woody plants, trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, and garden plants) but are engineered to be safe for grass.
- The two active ingredients in Crossbow—Triclopyr and 2,4-D—are selective broadleaf herbicides.
- Triclopyr and 2,4-D both attack broadleaf plant biological processes but don’t harm grasses.
- Crossbow will not damage grass it is sprayed on.
Crossbow does remain active in the soil for 3 weeks after application. In order to be on the safe side, it is best to wait 3 weeks before seeding new grass in an area treated with Crossbow.
What Weeds Does Crossbow Kill?
Crossbow attacks all non-grassy plants, including common weeds such as dandelions and clover. However, Crossbow is a powerful herbicide well suited for killing woody plants, including vines and brush. Keep in mind, because Crossbow is a broadleaf weed killer, it will attack any garden plants or trees it is sprayed on.
- All varieties of non-grassy plants: vines, brush, trees, ornamentals, and vegetables.
- Will not harm desirable turf grass or pest grasses such as crabgrass and foxtail.
- Kills treated plants to the root in 7–14 days.
Although the benefit of Crossbow is that it won’t harm the grass in your lawn or pasture, it also isn’t capable of killing or controlling grassy weeds. Crabgrass, poa annua, nutsedge, and foxtail will all be unharmed by Crossbow. You’ll need to use this weed killer to control pest grasses on your lawn.
What is the Best Use for Crossbow Herbicide?
Crossbow excels when used to clear brushy areas, kill tough vines and brambles, and clear overgrowth from fencerows and drainage areas. It works perfectly for these uses for two reasons: it is more effective than other weed killers at killing tough woody plants and it will not damage the grass.
- Killing tough brush.
- Clearing fencerows and drainage ditches.
- Poison ivy and bramble control.
Instead of reaching for a Glyphosate-based weed killer, such as Roundup, use Crossbow for these applications. Not only is Crossbow the better tool for the job, unlike Glyphosate products it won’t harm grass.
How to Use Crossbow Weed Killer Safely
Crossbow can be safely applied by following a few simple guidelines. These measures will keep you safe, ensure the target plants are killed quickly and prevent unintended harm to nearby desirable plants.
- Wear personal protective equipment.
- Apply at product label rates and volumes.
- Use at temperatures 55–85℉ (13–30℃).
- Apply when there is low wind, to prevent overspray.
- Allow 6 hours for Crossbow to dry before allowing pets and humans to come in contact with treated plants.
- Allow 6 hours for Crossbow to dry before watering.
Crossbow becomes rainfast (waterproof) 6 hours after application. When planning to apply Crossbow, choose a windless day with no rain in the forecast. This will ensure the herbicide is absorbed by the target plants before it can be disrupted by water.
Is Crossbow Safe for Grass?
Crossbow can be applied to turfgrass without harm. It is a selective broadleaf weed herbicide with the active ingredients Triclopyr and 2,4-D. Both these ingredients will attack all non-grassy plants but won’t cause any damage to the grass in your yard or field. If you need to clear tough brush or vines but don’t want to risk damage to your grass, Crossbow is an optimal choice.