Few things beat the sight of a beautifully maintained garden or landscape. But weeds are the greatest nightmare for any gardening enthusiast or homeowners who have the blessing of owning a yard. In particular, invasive or obnoxious weeds choke life out of your garden, interfering with colors, blooms, and wildlife. That’s why every gardener should always take proactive steps to fight this menace.
But garden maintenance and aftercare are not always easy. The good news is that creating beautiful, inspiring outdoors need not cost an arm and leg. There are different DIY weed-killer techniques and products you can use to mitigate this problem.
Here are some homemade weed preventers you can use.
Spread Cornmeal or Polenta
Did you know cornmeal, also known as polenta, was discovered accidentally as a natural home weed killer by a team of researchers at Iowa State University? This weed-killer recipe comes in handy by spreading it in a garden to inhibit seeds from generating and weeds from growing.
And since this goes for all plants, the DIY weed preventer should be applied to an already established garden. This means you should wait for your vegetable garden to be thriving before spreading it. Some of the weeds that polenta helps to get rid of include but are not limited to crabgrass, pigweed, foxtail, and purslane.
Salt Mixture Spray
Salt mixture is a non-toxic homemade weed-killer recipe that is very effective. But how does it work? Salt is mixed in a ratio of about 3:1 with respect to water and sprayed around the base of the weeds, leading to dehydration, and eventually killing them.
Always remember that while using this gardener weed killer, different preparation methods may be used. If not applied correctly, a spray bottle is recommended. This herbicide can kill the nearby plants or, even worse, leach into the soil and cause long-term side effects.
Employ String Trimmer
Brush and string trimmers are the go-to urban landscaping method that targets weeds in early development stages for maximum suppression. The tool consists of a handheld spinning cutting implement, and it is effective in the removal of weeds over a large surface area. This method is a kind of temporary remedy as it does not target the root.
Manual Removal
Pulling weeds by hand or using hand tools like hoes or weed pullers can be effective, especially for smaller areas. Be sure to remove the entire root system to prevent regrowth.
Use the Right Tools:
Invest in quality hand tools like a weeder, hoe, or hand fork. Choose tools that match the type of weeds you’re dealing with and the soil conditions.
Remove Weeds When Young:
Weeds are easier to remove when they are young and haven’t yet established deep root systems. Regularly inspect your garden and remove weeds as soon as you notice them.
Moisten the Soil:
Water the area before weeding, especially if the soil is dry. Moist soil makes it easier to pull weeds, and you’re more likely to get the entire root system.
Killing Weeds with Mulch:
Apply a thick layer of mulch or organic mulch (such as straw or wood chips) to smother weeds and prevent sunlight from reaching them. This will also help retain soil moisture.
Mulch Regularly reapply mulch as needed, especially after heavy rain or if the mulch has decomposed. Regular replenishment helps with preventing weeds from coming back.
While mulch is a powerful tool for weed control, combining it with other methods, such as manual weeding or the use of herbicides, can provide even better results.
Remember that while mulch is excellent for preventing weed growth, it’s essential to choose the right type and apply it correctly. Mulching also offers additional benefits such as moisture retention, soil insulation, and improvement of soil structure.
Applying Weed Killer
The use of herbicides provides a permanent solution for eliminating weeds. The method is fast and effective. However, herbicides hurt the environment, especially if they leach into the underground water. They also kill other living organisms and bacteria that were not the intended target.
So, what should you do before selecting an herbicide to treat your lawn & garden? Here are some considerations.
- Know the targeted weed
- Learn how to use correct amounts as specified by the manufacturer
- Elaborate your goals
- Choose the correct herbicide
Burning Weed
Weed torch targets the stem and leaves of plants and herbs, thereby inhibiting the weed’s ability to make food, making them wither and dry. The process is straightforward, and the person in question holds the flaming torch while making their way through the rows of the garden. This method destroys both the intended and unintended plants.
More importantly, there are certain risks associated with using a flame torch. So, here are some precautions and they include:
- Don’t use a flame torch close to flammable items
- Always keep the hose away from the fuel tank
- Don’t use the burner during dry conditions—opt for the method in wetter weather
- Select a weed torch with a long arm
The best thing about weed torch is that it kills the roots, too, so it’s permanent.
Wrap Weed, Under Paper,
Wrapping weeds under paper helps to smother them, cutting the supply of sunlight and air eventually drying them. One of the best barriers you can use is old newspapers. This is because they are effective, and they organically break down after some time. Other materials that can be used as wrapping paper include cardboard, porous tyvec or plastic cloth. This method is suitable for small garden beds.
Get Professional Weed Removal Services in PA, NJ, MD & DE
Weed removal is an intricate process that requires the touch of a specialist.
If you’re in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, or New Jersey, why don’t you sit back and let the experts from Go Green Lawn And Pest Control Services handle all your weed control needs while you focus on other spring and summer activities?
Call us today at 610-692-5296 and see a difference.
