[gambatte]

We have a 4 Lt spray container of Roundup 1st used about 18 months ago. It was bought for crazy pathed paths round the house and theres still approx 30% left.

I'm currently clearing the second half of the allotment. A lot of the dead growths been shifted, which exposes the usual weed and nettle shoots and blackberry bramble armed with some of the most vicious thorns I've ever seen.

As I move further into this clear up, I've been reading about Roundup and considering the fact it biodegrades quickly in the soil, I'm just wondering if its likely to biodegrade in the container? The container is sealed from the atmosphere before its first use.....

Thanks in advance.

[paintedlady]

I had a small amount in a bottle that was over 18 months old - nothing ventured and all that ... and I was surprised to find it still worked!  I think soil bacteria are responsible for its biodegradability, not just exposure to the atmosphere.

[Salmo]

Your Roundup should be OK. Remember the rules when applying it. It will only work on green foliage so let the weeds sprout well. Apply it when the leaves are dry and when there will be at least 6 hours of dry after application.

Although you may not see the tell tail yellowing of growing points for a couple of weeks or more the chemical will have travelled right through the plants within 10 days and they can be dug out, chopped up, buried or just left where they are. Any regrowth will be from plants that had insufficient or no green leaf to absorb the chemical when it was applied.

Once the Roundup has dried on the leaves it is safe to replant.