Best Forms of Natural Weed Control
When I was recently doing some yard work for my parents, I wondered if there was an alternative to chemical sprays to get rid of weeds. I performed a comparison between chemical sprays and natural home remedies. Many different types of weeds can be found in a person’s lawn. Most people think the only way to get rid of weeds is to use weed killers or call an expensive service that sprays chemicals on your lawn. However, there are natural ways to get rid of those pesky weeds without harming the environment and costing you a lot of money.
So, what is the best way to control weeds naturally? The best way to control weeds naturally is to substitute the chemicals for common household items you have laying around. Household items such as vinegar, boiling water, plastic wrap, and more can help to control and eliminate the weeds throughout your yard!
Weeds of all types can be a nuisance, especially when they grow in your garden. They steal nutrients from the soil and block sunlight from reaching your plants. Fortunately, there are many natural ways of controlling these pesky plants that do not involve using chemicals or other harsh methods. You just need to learn what works best for you!
You do not have to use harmful chemicals or spend hours pulling weeds by hand. Weeds are a common problem for many people. They can be unsightly, they take nutrients from your soil, and they can spread quickly if not treated properly.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds
After my research, I have found the following to be effective methods to get rid of weeds naturally. There are plenty of natural alternatives that will help you maintain your garden and keep your lawn free of weeds all season long. Several methods work well when it comes to killing weeds naturally.
These weed killers can be found at your local garden store or even in your kitchen cabinets. If you happen to try one of the methods and the weeds do not go away after a week, try another home solution.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a very effective way to kill many common weeds. White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and diluted molasses work well on most weeds. The best part about using these natural weed killers is they are non-toxic to people, pets, and other plants so you do not have to worry about the chemicals drifting onto the flowers in your yard or having them run off into the watershed when it rains. These natural weed killers will eradicate even mature weeds growing out of concrete.
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a natural, organic fertilizer that also kills crabgrass and other weeds. Corn gluten meal works by suffocating small weed seeds before they have a chance to grow into mature plants.
If you are looking for a more eco-friendly way to keep weeds under control in your yard, corn gluten meal is the best alternative there is. The only downside to using this natural weed killer is it typically doesn’t work until about four weeks after you apply it, and it stops working in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius).
Boiling Water
Some people use boiling water as a way to get rid of weeds in their yard. However, this can be very dangerous if you do not take the necessary safety precautions. Boiling water has been known to cause serious injuries when it is sprayed onto concrete or stone surfaces which retain heat much longer than grassy areas.
You should never pour boiling water on gravel because the hot water will immediately sink into the ground and possibly scald your feet when you go barefoot in your garden next time. The best way to kill weeds with boiling water is to pour it directly onto the green parts of weeds. Make sure you wear shoes and protective eye gear before attempting this.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
White vinegar and baking soda work very well as a weed killers. However, if you are trying to get rid of weeds around trees or bushes you will need to use a different method.
You can prevent weed growth by mulching the area where the tree or bush is located. This way there will not be any sunlight reaching the ground for weed seeds to germinate. If the tree roots are too close to your lawn you may have to mow that section of your yard more frequently so it does not compete with nearby plants that you want to keep.
Plastic Wrap
You can cover the weeds and the soil around your plant with plastic wrap so that sunlight cannot reach the weeds at all. This will eventually kill off any weed seeds that may still be there from last season.
Newspaper or Cardboard
The most effective method has been to smother the weeds with newspaper or cardboard covered in the mulch. This method works best during the winter months when the ground is cold and wet already.
These methods will help keep your garden free of pesky weeds while keeping it chemical-free and child and pet-friendly! Weeds are the bane of every gardener. They can ruin your plants, flowers, and vegetables by stealing water and nutrients from them. But there is no need to resort to chemical weed killers when you can use natural methods instead.
Defeating Weeds With Nature
Many types of vines will kill or prevent weed growth in your lawn. The vines that can prevent growth are the following:
- Climbing Hydrangea
- Moonflower
- Wisteria
- Ivy
- Honeysuckle
- English Ivy
- Virginia Creeper
- Trumpet Vine
- Cardinal Climber
These all work well on keeping weeds away while adding color and beauty to your yard. These vines can be planted into a weed-free area and will grow instead of the weeds. Another good thing about using climbing vines to get rid of weeds is you can still use vinegar as a weed killer without worrying about it harming your climbing vines.
Many of the flowers and vines will attract insects and butterflies to your yard. The insects and butterflies will feed on weeds so there is no need to worry about them taking over your entire lawn, all you have to do is manage the weeding process.
Some flowering plants that attract insects and butterflies include:
- Butterfly Bush
- Milkweed
- Bee Balm
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Phlox
- Dahlia
- Columbine
- Fennel
- Yarrow
- Coreopsis
- Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
- Beeding Heart
- Verbena Bonariensis (Blue Vervain),
- Dianthus
It would be a great idea to add some vines or flowers to your yard to prevent any weed growth.
Negative Effects of Chemical Weed Killers
Chemical weed killers are a common way to get rid of weeds in your yard, but they can be dangerous for your health. They contain harsh chemicals that can cause serious damage to your body and even lead to death if not used properly. If you are using these products, make sure you read the instructions carefully before applying them so you do not accidentally poison yourself or others.
Here are some things to keep in mind why to substitute out chemical weed killers. There are many different types of weed killers, but they all have one thing in common – they can cause serious harm to your health.
Weeds do not just look ugly and take up space; they also pose a threat to our environment and our health. They compete with crops for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. That is why we need to use herbicides to control weeds that threaten agriculture production. You should always read the label carefully before applying any pesticide product so you know exactly how much you need, where it should be applied, and when it should be used.
It is important not only to choose an effective product but also to be aware of its possible side effects before using it around your home or business. Labels to watch out for:
- Wear protective clothing while spraying
- Keep children and pets away from treated areas until dry
You might think that spraying chemicals on your grass are harmless, but it is extremely dangerous. There are many harmful effects of chemical weed killers and they can be deadly to both humans and the environment.
The Effects of Glyphosate
Do you know what glyphosate does to human cells? It causes cancerous tumors in rats. Glyphosate also damages DNA in human cells by creating a protein called “AGEs” which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
We have all seen the commercials for Roundup telling us that this product is safe for use around children and pets, but no long-term studies are proving this claim! The truth is that we do not know if these products are safe or not because they have not been tested properly yet.
Natural weed control is not only better for your health but also better for the environment as well. It is easy to create a solution yourself with just a few simple steps that anyone can follow at home. You do not even need any special tools or equipment! All it takes is some time and effort on your part – but we promise it will be worth it in the end!
If you are unsure of which natural weed control method is suited for your yard, contact a local professional!
