While many people assume that they can eliminate weeds by spraying their lawns with harsh chemicals like Roundup, lawn spraying is only a temporary fix. So the question remains: how to effectively get rid of weeds without using chemicals and lawn spraying?
ID Your Weeds
Weeds are simply plants that are not wanted in a particular place or at a particular time. Almost anything can be considered a weed if it's undesirable. But certain common traits include:
- Fast spreading
- Spreading beyond their 'natural' borders to take the place of other plants
- Unpalatable to humans and other animals
It is important to note that not every weed has these characters. Identifying a specific type of weed can help you find even more effective ways of getting rid of it.
Eliminate Your Weeds
Organically. These organic methods can help you safely eliminate most weeds without the cost or environmental dangers involved in using many herbicides:
- Use mulch: this can help get rid of weeds before they begin to grow and develop complex root systems. Apply a thick layer (about 4 inches) each year.
- Boiling water: this eliminates weeds from hard to reach places, like cracks in the pavement. Pour the boiling water directly onto the weed. Just ensure you don’t hit any nearby plants or it will kill them too.
- Hoeing: this removes weeds from garden beds. But if the weed has already started to flower, then remove it by hand instead of leaving it in a compost pile as the seeds can still survive.
- Manual methods: the best time to pull weeds is after a heavy rain when the soil is soft. You can also use your hose to wet the lawn.
Laura Horwitz has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for five years in both London and the US. She had a monthly landscaping and tips column for the Sussex County magazine RH Review, and her articles have appeared in Film Focus, 6 Degrees Film, and BizBash magazine.
