9 easy ways to eliminate garden weeds

9 easy ways to eliminate garden weeds

Weeds are every gardener’s nightmare. These intrusive plants compete with desired vegetation for vital resources and can hinder the overall health and aesthetics of one’s garden. While chemical herbicides are commonly used to combat weeds, they often come with environmental and health risks. In this article, we will explore natural and eco-friendly methods to control weeds so one can maintain a healthy and vibrant garden without compromising on other aspects of life.

Use mulching technique
Mulching with a few inches of organic material prevents weed from contacting the soil, inhibiting germination. The mulch also blocks sunlight, preventing existing seeds from sprouting. Organic mulches offer weed control, moisture retention, soil enrichment, and aesthetic benefits, enhancing the overall appeal of your garden or landscape.

Corn gluten meal
This acts as a seed contraceptive, restricting the germination of weed seeds. Applying it to open areas of one’s garden can prevent weeds from growing. However, one should keep in mind that corn gluten meal may also hinder the germination of desired seeds. So it’s best to avoid using this method in a vegetable garden.

Hand weeding
Manually pulling out the unplanted plants by hand is another traditional method of eliminating weeds. Taking them out along with roots ensures that the weeds do not grow out again. The task requires one to dedicate some time, effort, and some level of skill. To prevent weed seeds from spreading to one’s garden beds, it is important to wear specialized gardening gloves. One can also utilize tools like claws or sharp trowels to loosen the soil where the weeds have taken roots. This method ensures a weed-free garden and avoids the need for chemical herbicides.

Apply vinegar
One can spray household vinegar to the weeds and use as a natural weed killer. This technique however requires careful application since the vinegar can affect both unwanted plants and desirable ones. To avoid harming nearby plants, it is best to apply the vinegar in the early morning when there is minimal wind. Additionally, one can choose a cloudless day to ensure that rain does not wash away the vinegar before it has a chance to be effective. One can also consider using highly concentrated vinegar for quicker results.

Layering newspaper
To create a weed-free garden bed, one can use recycled materials like newspapers or cardboard. The first step to employ this technique is to wet the newspaper and cover it with mulch. Then lay the papers on the soil to smother existing weeds and prevent new ones. The thick layer blocks sunlight and stops weed seeds from sprouting. Prior to laying the material, make sure to remove visible weeds and moisten the soil. This method also attracts earthworms that can be beneficial to the soil.

Boiling water
One can eliminate unwanted weeds by pouring boiling water carefully over each weed. The intense heat of the boiling water damages the foliage, plant cells, and roots of the weeds, thus thwarting their growth. Some persistent weeds may require multiple applications, but they will eventually die out. However, one needs to be careful with this process. It’s best to use pot holders and wear long pants and shoes to avoid injury in case of accidental spills.

Flaming method
This is a targeted approach to single out the weeds. In this method, one uses a flaming torch that heats up the water inside the plant cells until they burst and the plants wilts. The technique, however, requires extreme caution. One needs to choose a day without wind to avoid accidentally harming nearby grass or plants. Also, it is best used in places where there is no nearby vegetation, such as the driveways or gaps in a concrete sidewalk. It is important to note that flaming should never be used in regions prone to fires, to prevent any potential hazards. This method works well for young and tender weeds. Matured and rooted weeds may require multiple treatments.

Using a landscape fabric
Landscape fabric is another popular tool that can combat weed growth. The modern fabric acts as a barrier and minimizes weed competition for space while allowing air and water to pass through to the desired plants. For optimal weed suppression, one needs to lay the fabric from border to border with minimal cuts or openings. Be very careful with the placement and maintenance of the fabric, and also inspect it from time to time to ensure its effectiveness.

Sprinkling salt at the base
This is another technique where a small amount of salt is sprinkled at the base of each weed. Salt dehydrates the unwanted plants by absorbing water from their cells and alters the pH and mineral balance in the soil. This causes the weeds to dry out, get starved of nutrients, and eventually die. While the technique is useful, one can opt for this as a last resort since it can leave the soil unsuitable for months. Even if one decides to use the technique, one needs to be careful to not use excessive salt or spill it on to the plants one wants to keep.

All these techniques promote sustainability. If none of them yield the desired results, however, one can consider contacting a local extension office or city government for guidance on natural weed killers and their safe usage in weed control.

Subscribe Newsletter

Enter your email to recive daily updates