7 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden
If you have a garden, you know how annoying those weeds can be. Some gardeners tolerate weeds, but most of them don’t want to have them at all. Most of these weeds are harmful, invasive and aggressive. They take the nutrients and water away from your plants, which is not a good thing. Luckily, there are several ways you can get rid of them and prevent them from growing.
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Use Weed Killers
Weeds can be a problem even for the most experienced and meticulous gardeners. The first thing you need to do is identify the weeds. Are they annual or perennial? Once you do this, it’s time to apply one of the most common solutions, a practical and efficient lawn and weed killer. There are 4 types of weed killers you can choose from: liquid, granular, selective and nonselective.
Liquid ones are usually diluted with water and sprayed from a pump. Granular herbicides are spread from a fertilizer spreader and are mixed with an inert carrier such as lime or clay. Selective herbicides kill just a few specific plants. They’re usually stated on the label of the bottle. Nonselective herbicides kill all plants, no matter the species. To use them, you’ll need a lot of caution, careful aim, and a spray bottle.
There are two ways you can spray the killer. It’s important to know which method will be most efficient for your weed problem. You don’t want to spray your plants and destroy your garden. The first method is broadcast spraying, which is spraying the entire garden or lawn. The second one is spot treatment, which means applying the herbicide directly to the weeds.
There are some steps you should follow when using the weed killer. The main thing is to read the label and make sure you use the product correctly. Second, check the weather because wind and rain can spread the herbicide in places you don’t want it to be. Third, wear your PPE: long-sleeved shirts and pants, chemical-resistant shoes, gloves, goggles, a hat and a face shield or a mask.
Fourth, put together the spray bottle, calculate the amount of herbicide according to the instructions and mix the solutions carefully. Finally, spray the area with the weeds and wait for the final result. The waiting time can differ from one manufacturer to another. Always buy from a reliable brand that has a lot of experience and many satisfied customers.
Remove Weeds Manually
Another efficient method of removing weeds from your lawn and garden is to remove them manually. It’s the most common method among homeowners and garden enthusiasts. By doing this, you’re pulling the whole plant, including the roots, foliage and seeds. Some weeds will re-grow if there’s just a tiny bit of root left in the soil. So, be careful and pull as much of the plant as you can.
Another reason why this is a good method is the fact that you’re removing the seeds as well. Spraying with a lawn and weed killer will eliminate the plant, but there isn’t a full guarantee that it’ll also kill the seeds. This means that in time, the same weeds can re-grow because there were some leftover seeds you didn’t notice. This is a time-consuming method but it sure is efficient and all you need are garden gloves.
Try a Weed Puller
A stand-up weed puller is also a great option to get rid of weeds. This is a popular tool that has an ergonomic design. It’s especially practical for elderly people and people who have back problems but still want to take good care of their gardens and lawns. Its design allows you to remove the weeds in a standing position without using a lot of force. It’s saving your back and it’s simple to use. All you have to do is push the claws into the ground and pull out the weed. Use a container or a bag to collect everything.
Add Salt
Besides using a weed killer concentrate, there are some non-toxic ways to remove the weeds. Adding salt is one of them. All you need is salt from your kitchen cabinet. Grab the salt and apply a pinch at the base of the weeds you want to remove. To make the process much faster, you can add water so the salt can reach the roots faster, or you can let the rain do this over time.
Keep in mind that salt isn’t selective. Besides the weeds, it can spread and kill some of the grass or the other plants. You won’t have as much control over it. Also, when it dilutes it can reach some plants around it through the roots. Also, remember that if you use salt around pavement repeatedly, it can damage the pavers after a while.
Apply Vinegar
Vinegar is once again proving that it’s a liquid of many purposes. We use it for so many things (besides cooking) and getting rid of weeds is another one on the list. Vinegar is a cheap alternative and it’s easily accessible. You can find it in any supermarket. Acetic acid, which typically makes up 5% of vinegar, is its primary active component. It comes from the fermentation of apples or grains.
Acetic acid gets rid of the weeds by wicking the moisture of the plant. Only after a few hours of applying it, you’ll notice that the plant will start to go brown. However, vinegar can destroy any plant it comes into contact with, so work with caution. Make sure you apply it when there’s no wind. Otherwise, it can destroy other plants.
Spread Mulch
All plants, including weeds, need warm soil and a lot of light to grow properly. If you deny them these privileges, they’ll eventually die. Mulch is a great way to achieve this. If the weeds are big, remove them and then apply the mulch. If they’re small enough, you won’t have to pull them off. You’ll need around 7-8 cm of mulch to completely cover the ground and prevent warmth and sunlight from reaching the plants.
Pour Boiling Water
This is the simplest method of them all. All you need is boiling tap water. Just boil the kettle and pour it over the area. Of course, this can be time-consuming, but if you don’t have a lot of weeds in the garden or the lawn, it’s a great way to stay eco-friendly.
