Safe Methods Of Permanent Weed Removal
Posted on: 25 April 2016
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Whether it is one weed or a yard full of them, every gardener is dismayed when they appear. Weeds are unattractive and persistent nuisances. They rob the nutrients and water in the soil meant for more desirable plants and they make lawns look shaggy and untended. Many flower and vegetable gardeners spend the majority of their time in their gardens attempting to rid them from their land. While there are a number of weed killers on the market, most homeowners know they can often be dangerous to children, pets and bees. Instead, here are some safe and natural ways to make weeds less of a problem in any yard.
For Solitary Weeds
Weeds that grow along driveways or paths or spring up between patio pavers can be treated with a salt-water solution. This method should not be used when other flowers or plants are nearby, because it can damage their roots too. Use a 3:1 ratio of salt to water and allow the salt to fully dissolve. When ready, pour liberally on the offending weed.
Hand Pull Effectively
Pulling them out by hand can eliminate small patches of weeds. This should be done as soon as they appear and before the seeds are spread by mowing. To do it properly, the weed and its root must be entirely removed to prevent it from growing again. All weeds should be immediately placed in a bucket or bag to reduce the risk of dropped seeds. Dispose of them by taking the waste to a landfill or allow them to dry in a sunny spot that is away from grass and protected from the wind. Once dry they can be composted or taken to a landfill. Plants with hardy root systems or many seeds should be shredded in a mulcher or burned because they are often able to survive composting.
In the Garden
Gardeners who are tired of spending every weekend weeding can use newspaper to eliminate this task. Apply a layer of newspaper around plants and flowers across the entire garden. Thoroughly saturate the paper with water and top with a couple of inches of mulch. The newsprint in use today is non-toxic, so it will not harm the soil or the plants. The weeds will be destroyed and the paper will compost and can be raked into the soil the following spring.
Many people choose organic weed killers believing they are a safer solution, but there are a few problems with this. First, there are very few restrictions about how products can be labeled organic. Second, organic products may be natural, but that does not mean they are always safe. Finally, some organic weed killers are non-selective about what they kill. This means they are just as likely to destroy grass and flowers as weeds. Rather than spend money on a product that offers very few benefits over a chemical weed killer, use these methods to get the desired result safely. Visit http://snydersweedcontrol.com/ for more information.