Once summer weather rolls around it brings with it green lawns and bountiful gardens, however there is also one aspect of this time of year all gardeners dislike, weeds. Finding out what to use to kill weeds is important to keep them from spoiling the look and health of one's property. Fortunately there are many safe and natural ways to do this without resorting to harmful chemicals.
In some cases, such as when weeds grow in close proximity to flowers or vegetables, they will need to be pulled out. It's important to do this properly or they will just grow back. After watering, when the soil is moist, dig until the bottom of the weed's root system is reached, and uproot the entire plant. The discarded weeds can be used as compost.
It's also possible to put an end to these pesky invaders by suffocating them, cutting off their access to sunlight. Cut some old newspapers into strips and place them over areas of weed growth, then cover this up with some garden mulch, it will be necessary to use several layers of newspapers because some weeds can poke through.
Many store-bought herbicides contain some harmful chemicals which may hurt people or animals, instead one can prepare a homemade weed-killer that is made only of normal, household ingredients and is not hazardous. Put in a spray bottle two cups of white vinegar, one-half cup of salt, and a few drops of dish detergent and mix thoroughly. Spray directly on weeds, but avoid contact with vegetable as it may damage them.
Places such as the cracks between patio stones are susceptible to weed growth, and this can be easily remedied with salt. Either regular table salt or the rock salt used to stop ice from forming in winter both work well. Sprinkle it over the cracks, without it touching the lawn, and it will kill off weeds.
Heat and fire are also effective herbicides. The use of a regular blow-torch or a propane-powered weed scorcher works well as a spot treatment, without actually igniting the weeds, the hot flame passing over them will dry up the moisture inside them, causing them to wither up and die.
In ornamental flower beds, it is possible to plan one's plantings in such a way that it will reduce the likelihood of weeds being able to thrive there. Selecting ground covering plants that by nature prevent weed species from getting the nutrients, sun, and water they require to flourish is a good way to avoid this issue altogether. Examples include creeping thyme, Walker's low catmint, and Majestic lilyturf, to name just a few.
When preparing beds for fall planting in the summer, a technique called "solarizing" can be particularly effective for killing existing weed growth, and also preventing it next season. It is done by first raking and tilling the soil in the bed to eliminate debris, digging a trench about 8 inches deep around its perimeters, then placing a clear, plastic sheet over the bed, positioning the edges in the trench and securing them with soil. This must be kept in place for 4-6 weeks then removed, fertilized, and it is ready for planting.
In some cases, such as when weeds grow in close proximity to flowers or vegetables, they will need to be pulled out. It's important to do this properly or they will just grow back. After watering, when the soil is moist, dig until the bottom of the weed's root system is reached, and uproot the entire plant. The discarded weeds can be used as compost.
It's also possible to put an end to these pesky invaders by suffocating them, cutting off their access to sunlight. Cut some old newspapers into strips and place them over areas of weed growth, then cover this up with some garden mulch, it will be necessary to use several layers of newspapers because some weeds can poke through.
Many store-bought herbicides contain some harmful chemicals which may hurt people or animals, instead one can prepare a homemade weed-killer that is made only of normal, household ingredients and is not hazardous. Put in a spray bottle two cups of white vinegar, one-half cup of salt, and a few drops of dish detergent and mix thoroughly. Spray directly on weeds, but avoid contact with vegetable as it may damage them.
Places such as the cracks between patio stones are susceptible to weed growth, and this can be easily remedied with salt. Either regular table salt or the rock salt used to stop ice from forming in winter both work well. Sprinkle it over the cracks, without it touching the lawn, and it will kill off weeds.
Heat and fire are also effective herbicides. The use of a regular blow-torch or a propane-powered weed scorcher works well as a spot treatment, without actually igniting the weeds, the hot flame passing over them will dry up the moisture inside them, causing them to wither up and die.
In ornamental flower beds, it is possible to plan one's plantings in such a way that it will reduce the likelihood of weeds being able to thrive there. Selecting ground covering plants that by nature prevent weed species from getting the nutrients, sun, and water they require to flourish is a good way to avoid this issue altogether. Examples include creeping thyme, Walker's low catmint, and Majestic lilyturf, to name just a few.
When preparing beds for fall planting in the summer, a technique called "solarizing" can be particularly effective for killing existing weed growth, and also preventing it next season. It is done by first raking and tilling the soil in the bed to eliminate debris, digging a trench about 8 inches deep around its perimeters, then placing a clear, plastic sheet over the bed, positioning the edges in the trench and securing them with soil. This must be kept in place for 4-6 weeks then removed, fertilized, and it is ready for planting.
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