For driveways, gravel and other places where you want vegetation to stay gone, Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer is the better fit to consider. For targeted weeds around listed areas such as walkways, driveways, under trees and landscape beds, Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer Ready-to-Use is a different option. These products are not interchangeable: match the exact bottle and its current label to the site, the desired duration of control and any nearby plants.
Which GroundClear spray fits the job?
| Use case | Product to consider | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Bare ground or hardscape where you do not want vegetation for an extended period | Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer | Check the exact product number and current label. The EPA label cited below is for a GroundClear Concentrate formulation dated 2016 and may not describe every product currently sold under this name. |
| Targeted weeds around walkways, driveways, under trees or landscape beds | Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer Ready-to-Use | Use only sites and precautions allowed by the current label for that exact product; the available product-page summary is not a complete label. |
This is a use-case guide, not a performance ranking. The available evidence does not establish an independent head-to-head efficacy trial of these products.
What the year-long product is intended to do
Ortho describes its Year Long Vegetation Killer for driveways, sidewalks, gravel, rock and desert landscapes, under decks, parking areas, and along fences and curbs where no weeds or vegetation are wanted. Its product page claims control for up to one year. The U.S. EPA label for GroundClear Concentrate, dated July 19, 2016, likewise says: “GroundClear Concentrate kills existing vegetation and prevents regrowth for up to 1 year.” That is a claim on the cited label, not an independently verified comparative result, and should not be assumed to apply to every GroundClear SKU.
The 2016 EPA label identifies that concentrate’s active ingredients as glyphosate, isopropylamine salt at 2.97%, and imazapyr, isopropylamine salt at 0.47%. Those percentages describe that labeled formulation only. Check your own bottle for its product number, ingredients and label before using its directions or claims.
Why a ready-to-use spray is a different choice
The GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer Ready-to-Use product listing describes use on weeds in and around walkways and driveways, under trees, and in landscape beds. A separate state-hosted label identifies ammonium nonanoate in a GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer formulation; that information must not be combined with the ingredient list for the 2016 concentrate. See the product listing and consult the current label on the exact ready-to-use product. The listing summary alone does not establish every permitted site or precaution.
How to choose before spraying
- Identify the site. Decide whether you are treating a lawn, planted bed, driveway, sidewalk, gravel, fence line or another surface. A label that allows use on hardscape does not automatically allow use near desirable plants.
- Decide whether regrowth should be suppressed. A product labeled for extended soil activity can be unsuitable where you plan to plant soon. A targeted weed spray should not be presumed to provide year-long control.
- Check the exact formula and format. Ready-to-use and concentrate products can have different active ingredients, sites and application directions. Do not transfer a dilution rate from one bottle to another.
- Account for application area and equipment. Use only the rate and applicator specified on your exact label, and calculate the area to avoid treating beyond the intended site.
- Consider nearby plants, runoff and future planting. Drift and runoff can carry herbicide beyond the target. Read the label for restrictions that apply to adjacent vegetation and water.
Label-specific mixing and coverage figures
The 2016 EPA GroundClear Concentrate label gives these directions for that formulation. They are not generic instructions for every GroundClear product.
Rank #2
- KILLS WEEDS AND GRASSES: Use on driveways and walkways, and around fences, trees, flower beds, shrubs and other areas in your yard.
- FAST-ACTING FORMULA: Visible results as fast as 3 hours – replant new flowers, trees and shrubs the same weekend.
- RAINFAST: Rainfall or watering 15 minutes after application will not wash away effectiveness.
- CONCENTRATE: Mix and apply with a tank sprayer – spray to completely cover the leaves of the target vegetation.
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds and grasses as listed.
| Label direction | Figure stated on the 2016 EPA label | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Tank sprayer or sprinkling can | 24 fluid ounces of product per gallon of water treats 300 square feet | GroundClear Concentrate formulation on the 2016 label |
| Ready-spray application | One quart bottle covers 400 square feet | The label’s listed ready-spray direction; not a coverage claim for all SKUs |
Follow the complete, current label on your own container for the rate, application method and site. Do not use these figures if your bottle’s label differs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Safety, planting and site restrictions
The cautions in this section apply to the cited 2016 GroundClear Concentrate label, not automatically to every product with GroundClear in its name. That label says not to use the concentrate on lawns, on or around fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs or trees, or before planting desirable vegetation. It says the product may remain active in soil for up to a year and may last longer in heavy clay soil.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The label warns that the product is toxic to plants and that spray drift or runoff may harm plants, including those near water. It directs users to keep people and pets out during application and until the spray has dried. It also warns of substantial but temporary eye injury and specifies protective eyewear and eye-rinse first aid. Read and follow all precautions and first-aid directions on the current label for your exact product.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FAST-ACTING FORMULA: The fast-acting weed and grass killer concentrate starts working immediately and is rainproof in 1 hour
- HOW TO USE: Apply this weed killer concentrate for sprayer by mixing 24 fl. oz. per gallon of water and using a tank sprayer to treat up to 300 sq. ft.
- COVERAGE: One 2 gal. container of Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer2 Concentrate weed spray makes enough product to treat up to 3,200 sq. ft.
- WHERE TO USE: Use this weed control product where no plant growth is wanted for at least a year on driveways, sidewalks, fence lines, paver patios, walkways, gravel areas, parking areas, and other hardscapes
- LONG-LASTING CONTROL: Ortho GroundClear Year Long Vegetation Killer2 Concentrate kills weeds, grasses and existing vegetation, and prevents regrowth for up to 1 year
Rank #4
- Rainproof in 2 hours
- Visible results in as little as 2 to 4 days
- Contains 41-percent glyphosate
- Covers over 25,000 square feet
- Makes up to 85 gal. of ready-to-use spray. Note: Packaging may vary
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
