Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer Concentrate: Year-Long Control for Montana's Toughest Areas

Worth it for contractors managing parking lots, equipment yards, and fence lines where nothing should grow. The concentrate makes approximately 5 gallons of spray solution when mixed, providing year-long control that prevents weeds, grasses, and unwanted plants from emerging. At 3.8 stars across retailers, it delivers what Ortho promises.

Skip it if you’re treating areas where you might plant within 12 months. This product kills all vegetation (non-selective) and prevents replanting for 1 year. Standard glyphosate kills existing plants but does not provide long-term prevention; GroundClear includes Imazapyr for residual control.

Coverage Economics and Application Specs

The mix ratio is 24 fl. oz. per 1 gallon of water, covering up to 1,000 sq. ft. per gallon of mixed solution. Makes approximately 5 gallons of spray solution when mixed. That’s 5,000 square feet per gallon of concentrate — enough for a small gravel parking lot or several hundred feet of fence line.

Specification	Value	Source
Mix Ratio	24 fl. oz. per 1 gallon of water	manufacturer
Coverage	Up to 1,000 sq. ft. per gallon of mixed solution	manufacturer
Rainproof Time	1 hour	manufacturer
Visible Results	6 to 12 hours	manufacturer
Temperature Range	Between 60°F and 90°F	manufacturer
Prevention Duration	Up to 1 year (12 months)	manufacturer

Tank sprayer (pump or backpack) is required. Mix thoroughly, ensure the target area is dry and clear of debris, apply spray evenly until vegetation or soil is wet, and avoid drift to desirable plants.

Montana’s short season requires hitting that 60°F minimum by late May in most valleys. Apply on calm days when temperatures are between 60°F and 90°F. The 1-hour rainproof window handles unpredictable spring weather better than products requiring 4-6 hours.

Year-Long Prevention Technology

The active ingredients include Imazapyr, isopropylamine salt at 0.47% concentration and Pelargonic acid and related fatty acids at 5.00% concentration. The Pelargonic acid delivers fast kill — visible results in 6 to 12 hours. The Imazapyr provides residual control that standard glyphosate lacks.

EPA Registration #239-2761 confirms this is the real deal for total vegetation control. Intended for non-crop land use only. The chemistry works by disrupting plant enzyme systems both immediately and in the soil for months afterward.

Suitable surfaces include concrete, asphalt, gravel, stone, and brick pavers. Perfect for Montana’s ubiquitous gravel parking areas and equipment yards. Applications include driveways, patios, walkways, gravel paths and parking areas, fence lines and landscape borders, and rock and mulch beds (non-planted areas).

Non-Selective Performance and Trade-offs

This isn’t selective herbicide that spares grass. Its non-selective nature and the restriction on replanting for a full year mean you better be certain nothing should grow there. The FastActing version is OMRI-listed for organic gardening but lacks the 1-year residual prevention of the Vegetation Killer Concentrate.

Positive feedback focuses on its effective long-term weed suppression and fast action. Negative feedback often cites its non-selective nature and the restriction on replanting for a full year. That’s not a bug — it’s the feature. Equipment yards don’t need replanting flexibility. They need bare ground that stays bare.

Scotts No-Quibble Guarantee: Satisfaction or your money back. Typically 90 days at Home Depot; varies by retailer. Standard return policies apply if it doesn’t perform.

Who Should Buy This

Perfect for contractors maintaining:

• Gravel parking lots and equipment yards
• Fence lines on large properties
• Railroad sidings and industrial hardscapes
• Areas under bleachers or storage buildings
• Solar panel installations where vegetation interferes

Skip it for:

• Anywhere you might plant within 12 months
• Near tree drip lines or shrub roots
• Slopes where residual could leach to planted areas
• Residential lawns (wrong product entirely)

Compatible with standard pump sprayers and backpack sprayers. Compatible with the Ortho Comfort Wand for precise spot treatment when used in compatible refill bottles. Included: One 1 Gallon (128 fl. oz.) bottle of Ortho GroundClear Vegetation Killer Concentrate.

The year-long residual control changes the maintenance equation for commercial properties. Instead of monthly or quarterly spraying, you hit problem areas once per season. That math works when labor costs more than chemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this differ from regular Roundup? Standard glyphosate kills existing plants but does not provide long-term prevention; GroundClear includes Imazapyr for residual control. Roundup kills what’s there. This prevents anything from growing back for 12 months.

Can this product be used along driveways if lawn is nearby? Apply spray evenly until vegetation or soil is wet. Avoid drift to desirable plants. The residual will kill grass roots that grow into treated soil. Keep a buffer zone.

What happens if it rains 30 minutes after application? You’ll need to reapply. Wait 1 hour for rainproofing before watering or rain exposure. Montana spring weather demands watching the forecast.

Is this safe for organic operations? No (Note: The non-preventative ‘FastActing’ version is OMRI listed). This concentrate version is not OMRI listed. Choose the FastActing formula for organic properties.

How long before results are visible? Visible results in 6 to 12 hours. Weeds start wilting within hours. Complete kill takes days, but you’ll know it’s working by the next morning.

What mixing equipment is needed? Tank sprayer (pump or backpack) is required. Compatible with standard pump sprayers and backpack sprayers. Any standard sprayer works. No special equipment needed.