When using herbicides, it is vital to know the proper water to chemical ratio to ensure maximum efficacy. We have researched how much Tenacity Herbicide you need to add per gallon of water.
You will need half a teaspoon of Tenacity Herbicide for each gallon of water. This amount will treat up to 1,000 square feet and is for spot treatments. You will need 30 gallons of water and eight ounces of the chemical per acre for larger applications.
Now that you know how much Tenacity you need to use per gallon of water keep reading to learn more about how this herbicide works. We will also discuss how to apply Tenacity correctly, when to apply it, how it works, and answer any other questions you may have about this herbicide.
How Much Tenacity Herbicide Per Gallon?
How much Tenacity you need depends on how big the area you want to treat is and the type of grass you are growing. The general measurement is half a teaspoon of Tenacity per gallon of water. For larger areas, you will need 30 gallons of water per acre and between four to eight ounces of Tenacity.
Most grasses can handle four to eight ounces of Tenacity per acre. However, Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue are sensitive to this herbicide and must be treated by adding five ounces per thirty gallons per acre. St Augustine Grass can only handle four ounces of Tenacity per 30 gallons of water per acre.
When you are using Tenacity as a post-emergent weed killer, you need to add a non-ionic surfactant to the water as well as the herbicide. For one gallon of water, you add one and a half teaspoons of surfactant. This means you should use a ratio of one part Tenacity and three parts surfactant to treat weeds that have already sprouted.
You do not need to add a surfactant when you do spot treatments or are treating before the weeds sprout. You shouldn't exceed 16 fluid ounces of Tenacity per acre per year if you use it on crops.
How Do You Apply Tenacity Herbicide?
When mixing and applying the herbicide, be sure to wear the proper protective equipment. It is recommended that you wear gloves, goggles, long-sleeved clothing, and a face mask.
First, you should make sure you have a pressurized hydraulic sprayer, backpack sprayer, or another herbicide applicator. Tenacity is a potent herbicide, so it is recommended you add coloring to your mix that will allow you to see where you have sprayed.
Use the syringe provided to measure the product based on how many gallons of water you will add. If you are using a surfactant, add three times the amount of surfactant than you added of the herbicide. Use at least one teaspoon of dye per two gallons of water. This can be adjusted based on how strong you want the dye.
After putting the surfactant, dye, and herbicide in your container, fill your container with water. Once it is mixed together, start spraying the area to be treated. You should use about one gallon for every thousand feet.
This video demonstrates how to mix your herbicide and apply it.
When Should You Apply Tenacity To Your Lawn?
If you plan to use Tenacity as a pre-emergent, you will want to use it twice before plants start growing. The ideal time to use it is in the fall and before things start growing in the springtime.
For best results as a post-emergent, apply it to weeds that have just started growing. Check your lawn after three weeks to assess whether you need to reapply the herbicide.
It is best to apply it to soil that is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not apply Tenacity if the temperature outside is higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should I Mow My Lawn Before Applying Tenacity Herbicide?
If you are applying it as a pre-emergent, the best course of action is to do it before your lawn grows. However, if your yard has already started growing and is ready to mow, you should cut it before applying the herbicide to prevent spreading the chemical to unwanted places.
You should also mow the lawn before applying Tenacity as a post-emergent. It is recommended that you wait at least two days after cutting before using it.
Should I Water After Applying Tenacity?
Tenacity needs to be applied to a dry lawn in order to work correctly. So do not water before applying Tenacity Herbicide.
If you are using Tenacity as a pre-emergent, you should water your lawn shortly after applying the herbicide. It needs to be watered into the lawn within ten days.
For post-emergent applications, it is not advisable to apply water to your property for at least six hours. This ensures the herbicide has time to permeate the weeds fully.
How Does Tenacity Herbicide Work?
There are two types of herbicides: contact and systemic herbicides. Tenacity is a systemic herbicide, which means that rather than killing the plant on contact, it is absorbed by the plant.
Tenacity is made with mesotrione, which is a chemical made by the bottlebrush plant that prevents the plant from performing photosynthesis. Specifically, it stops the plant from producing an enzyme called p-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase [HPPD].
Inhibiting this enzyme makes it so the plant can no longer produce the pigment necessary to perform photosynthesis. As a result, the plant stops growing, turns white, and dies.
Overapplying Tenacity Herbicide can sometimes cause your grass to turn white because the herbicide prevents plants from making chlorophyll. This may last for several weeks, so follow the label carefully to avoid this. If the white tips bother you, you can remove them by mowing the lawn.
How Long Does It Take To Kill Weeds?
If applied correctly, you should notice the plants dying within 14 to 21 days. Some plants may require additional applications. For best results as a post-emergent, make sure you use a surfactant and apply it as soon as you notice new growth.
If you want to treat your yard for bentgrass and nimblewill, it is recommended that you make three applications spaced out at least three weeks apart. You will need two applications to target clover, violets, and crabgrass. More established weeds will be harder to kill than younger ones and may take more applications.
What Weeds Does Tenacity Treat For?
Tenacity has an extensive range of weeds it can be used to remove. It will get rid of over 46 different species of broadleaf and grass. Among these 46 species of weeds, it will kill are crabgrass, ivy, dandelions, Shepherd's Purse, clover, and chickweed.
It is also very effective against tufted lovegrass, redroot pigweed, and smooth pigweed. Some other common weeds it targets are goosegrass, Canada thistle, wild violet, verbena, and wild carrot.
What Plants Should I Avoid Using Tenacity On?
Because it has such a broad range of things it will affect, it is best to check the label before applying it to your lawn. You should not apply it to bentgrass, Poa annua, or bermudagrass that you don't want getting killed. It is made to be applied to lawns that consist of specific turfgrasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, St Augustinegrass, and fine fescue.
You should take caution applying it around ornamental plants and flower beds. Roses and daylilies are particularly susceptible to it.
Is Tenacity Herbicide Toxic?
The EPA has said that Tenacity is not harmful to bees and that it has a low enough risk profile to be used on crops.
While you need to be careful about inhaling the vapors or getting it on you, Tenacity herbicide is not a carcinogen. Tenacity is one of the safest herbicides for use around pets and children because it only targets specific enzymes in plants.
However, you should be cautious and ensure that they are not present when doing the application. Once it has dried, you can let your pets or children back on the lawn.
How Long Can You Store Tenacity?
Unopened Tenacity Herbicide can be stored for up to 5 years in the proper environment. However, once you have mixed it with water, it is best to use it within a day.
To get the most out of your herbicide, store it away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. Keep it somewhere that is cool and dry.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we discussed that you need half a teaspoon of Tenacity Herbicide per gallon of water. We also discussed that it takes three weeks to work completely and that you may need up to three applications to rid yourself of stubborn weeds.
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