When getting rid of weeds, the key in killing them is to do so without killing the Earth.
Nobody likes weeds in their yard and they can really turn a beautiful yard into a so-so yard quickly.
Unfortunately, your veggie and herbs are not the only plants that love growing in a moist, rich and well-drained soil.
Lawn and garden invaders like clover, dandelion, crabgrass, as well as sorrel grass, loves growing in rich soil. These weeds will not only rob your plants of space but also take all the nutrients in the soil.
Kill these weeds easily using natural methods rather than using harmful chemicals that have a long term to the environment.
Using strong chemical fungicides, herbicides and pesticides end up polluting our drinking water, surface water as well as groundwater.
Instead of using these chemicals, you can use the following natural methods to get rid of the weeds completely.
#1 – Vinegar As A Weed Killer
Vinegar has acetic acid, an efficient desiccant that sucks the life out of the leaves of the weeds. The solution is very efficient in killing young weeds that have immature roots.
Related Reading: Weed Killer Sprayer – Should You Have One?
Give the weeds a single spritz of vinegar aiming at its midsection or in the middle of the flower. You can also aim another shot at the ground level to soak its roots.
White vinegar available in grocery stores has about 5 percent acetic acid that is strong enough to kill most of the weeds. However, you can get industrial vinegar with up to 20 percent of acetic acid in your local garden supply.
Take care while applying this vinegar, which can be harmful to eyes, skin and lungs.
It is important to keep an eye on the weather before running this exercise. If it rains the next day, you will need to give the weeds another spraying.
#2 – Old Shower Curtains and Carpet Samples
Instead of disposing of your old shower curtains and carpets, spread them in the garden path or place them in the space between the rows for weed control.
After spreading these materials, cover them with mulch. This will prevent the annoying weeds from poking through.
#3 – Use Boiling Water
If you are looking for a safe natural weed killer method to keep the weeds from growing in the crack of your paved walkways, patios, and driveways, pour hot water on the developing weeds and grass.
Hot water literally burns the weeds killing them within a few hours. Boil some water and pour it on weeds that tend to grow on your driveway and walkways.
Since the boiling water will run off impervious surfaces, it will cool before reaching the boarding plants.
#4 – Using Newspaper To Control Weeds
Did you know that blocking sunlight and oxygen from reaching the soil will prevent weeds from growing and smother the young weeds that have already sprouted?
You can block these elements using layers of newspaper to stop weeds. To do this wet 10 sheet layers of newspapers and cover with one to two inches of mulch.
This layer will prevent the weeds to grow to keep the edges and sidewalks weed free.
In case the weeds start growing in the mulch, add more layers of newspaper to make mulch newspaper lasagna. The mulch and newspaper eventually decompose, nourishing the soil.
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#5 – Make A Vodka Weed Cocktail To Kill Weeds
Do you always have to deal with dandelions that keep sprouting along the fringes of your patio or kill weeds in the cracks of your driveway?
If this is the case, you can use vodka to make them disappear for good.
Make a quick and easy weed killer by mixing one-ounce vodka, a few drops of liquid dish soap with two cups of water in a spray bottle.
Use this solution to spray on the weeds leaves apply the spray at midday to the weeds growing in direct sunlight.
The alcohol in this solution works by breaking down the wax cuticle that covers the leaves of the weeds leaving them susceptible to dehydration in sunlight.
This method will not work if you spray weeds that are under a shade. Remember to protect your desired plants as the vodka weed killer can also dry them out.
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#6 – Corn Gluten Meal
The corn gluten meal is a corn by-product that is very effective in stopping seeds growing into weeds.
Since it works by inhibiting germination, spread it around established plants and after transplants as well as seedlings have taken hold in the soil.
You can also spread the meal after harvesting your desired plants. This will prevent the late season weeds.
#7 – Soap Makes Water Wetter!
Soap contains oil that is effective in breaking down the hairy or waxy weed surfaces. This makes the leaves of the weeds susceptible to desiccants.
When making a vodka (#5) or vinegar solution (#1) to kill the weeds always add a few drops of liquid detergent to the solution and spray the solution on the leaves of the weeds.
Spraying the weeds that grow in the cracks of paved walkways or patios with the solution will kill them off before they have a chance to take root.
The oil in the soap will also help you in keeping track of the leaves you have sprayed since it will leave them shiny.
Besides killing the weeds and keeping track of area already sprayed, the soap helps in keeping ants and other insects from entering your house.
Note:
While using most of the tips discussed above, make sure you keep your desired plants protected. Always test in a small area.
h/t houselogic