While some weeds can protect, nourish, and attract beneficial insects to the soil, there are also those that can seriously harm your grass and garden. They can rob vital nutrients from your plants, take up space your plants need to flourish, and draw parasites.
You’re in the right place if you want to get rid of your weeds. We’ll demonstrate how to nip them in the bud in three different ways: physically, chemically, and naturally. This guide also delves with weeds that cover enormous areas, weeds with deep roots, and methods for complete weed determination. Read on if you want a yard free of weeds.
How Do I Get the Weeds Out of My Lawn?
There are several effective ways to destroy weeds in your garden. Some will help determine the weed while preserving the grass. Others, however, may cause some damage to the grass, shrubs and flowers around them. The best way for you would be the one that’s most suitable and preferable for your needs and garden’s conditions. Here are the most popular and effective ways to kill weed for good.
Use a Weed Burner
These tools are popular with gardeners who want to remove weeds naturally without using harsh chemicals. They’re eco-friendly and perfect for homes with children, pets, and allergy sufferers. They’re available as both gas and electric weed burners that operate on the same principle: the heat wilts the foliage, and the weed dies and rots away over the following few days.
The main distinction is that a weed burner that works on gas is hotter and requires less time per weed to burn. While the gas type produces heat at a temperature of 1300°C, the electric only reaches 600°C. Both are effective, but the gas alternative finishes the job faster.
Also, while you can use the gas design anywhere, the electric requires an extension cable. Gas burners are ready to use as soon as the gas is lit, in contrast to electric burners, which can take up to 45 seconds to reach their maximum heat.
Do weed burners work? While smaller weeds are typically eliminated and never reappear, some weeds, like dandelions, have roots that reach a depth of 15-20 cm, and neither gas weed burner nor electric can destroy their core.
Contrary to their name, weed burners don’t burn weeds to a crisp until they are completely gone. To do so would take a very long time, and there would be a significant risk of fire or garden damage. You should only use a burner on each weed for 5–10 seconds, or until the foliage begins to wilt. Even though the green foliage will still be present, this will be sufficient to kill it.
The gardener should then wait a few days for the weed to decompose naturally. Usually, small weeds with thin foliage disappear after 2–5 days. You might need to use the weed torch every three weeks throughout the growing season to keep the weeds under control. They can’t reproduce and can only spread so far if you check them regularly. Instead of seeing a weed burner as a means of eradication, I think of it as a weed suppressor.
It’s the ultimate tool for successful gardening, especially if you’re into a more organic approach. Those physically unable to stoop over and pull weeds will also appreciate the simplicity of using a weed burner. Compared to hand-pulling weeds, a weed burner can save you a lot of time if you have numerous hard surfaces with lots of gaps, like a block driveway.
Dig Them Up
Although it sounds old-fashioned, the digging method has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. It’s one of those tried-and-true, all-natural techniques that, when carried out correctly, works wonders. To prevent them from quickly growing back, carefully pry them out of the ground with a hand trowel or garden fork.
A trowel or fork works best if you only have one or two weeds in your garden; however, consider purchasing a weed-pulling tool if there’s a weed invasion in your lawn. These enable you to easily remove the intrusive object from the ground by inserting the claw around the weed, stepping on it, and then doing so. Look for styles with ergonomic construction that permit you to work while standing up.
Use Mulching
Mulching is among the simplest methods for controlling weeds because it is applied directly to the soil. Compost from your garden, wood chips, processed bark, leaf mould, straw, seaweed, and rotted manure are all biodegradable mulches that help your plants grow while suppressing weeds. It’s a win-win situation. However, mulch has to be replaced every few years because it degrades with use.
Mow Them Down
Are you fighting a weedy lawn? Regular lawn mowing will help to keep them away. The plants become weaker, preventing them from producing seeds, which may ultimately result in their complete eradication.
Ensure to collect the grass clippings in a basket rather than leaving them on the lawn after using your mower. The latter can amplify the issue by dispersing the seeds. You can take the basket out once your garden is weed-free and leave the clippings on the ground to act as a natural fertiliser.
Use Herbicide
Chemical herbicides aren’t pleasant for wildlife gardens, meaning you should avoid them if you plan to grow your garden organically. Yet, they can be a handy last solution if you’ve exhausted all other options and are on the verge of giving up.
You have two alternatives. One is a concentrated solution, typically a gel applied to the leaves and used to kill the weed from the top down. That’s the best option if you only have a few weeds or don’t want to endanger any of your other plants. If your issue is more pervasive, choose a treatment that needs to be watered or sprayed on the plant.
Bleach can also be an effective home remedy for weeds because it increases the pH of the soil, which makes it more alkaline and inhibits weed growth. However, whether you decide on a herbicide or bleach, take preventative measures to avoid damage and skin irritation.