Planting Shrubs After Spraying Roundup

Q: My house has a steep slope in one spot. It’s been covered in pine straw but weeds have been making their way through. After using organic herbicides to no avail, I sprayed Roundup Extended Control. Now, two weeks later, I want to plant shrubs there. The label says to wait four months but I have already purchased the plants. Is there any way to safely put them in? 

A: When it comes to pesticides, “The label is the law.“ It is hard to predict what will happen if you plant during the four month cautionary period. One of the herbicide ingredients, imazapic, is very effective at preventing new growth. A little bit goes a long way. The safest thing to do is return the plants.