Dealing with weeds is always a challenge for many gardeners. It’s a tedious process when you need to repeatedly pull out or dig weeds almost weekly, and they still keep on growing. On the other hand, if you ignore or stop controlling weeds, it could harm plants and destroy your lawn. Weeds can deplete the soil of important nutrients that should be available to your plants. Also, weeds tend to absorb more water than other plants, leaving less for your garden plants. Furthermore, there are also some weeds that are harmful to pets and children.
If you’re considering getting rid of weeds on your lawn or garden, it’s best to go for natural options that don’t use harmful products. Natural alternatives are safer and cause less harm to your family, pets, and plants. In this article, we’ve listed the top 3 natural and effective ways to get rid of unwanted weeds.
1. Using salt
Salt is an effective and cheap weed killer. As weeds absorb the salt, it disrupts their water absorption until they eventually wilt and die. You can use regular iodized salt, but be careful not to put it on other plants. Start with a weak mixture of 1:2 parts salt and water. You can adjust the ratio to enhance the strength of the mixture. You have to apply this directly to the foliage of the weed to avoid damaging the other plants.
2. Using vinegar and dish soap
The acidity of the vinegar impairs the weeds’ water absorption, while the dish soap breaks away the weed’s cuticle, allowing the vinegar to work more effectively. To use, combine 1 gallon of vinegar and 1 ounce of dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the weeds, avoiding the soil to avoid harming the other plants.
3. Using boiling water
Using boiling water to kill weeds is effective when there are no plants nearby. It’s best for young weeds that are growing in cracks, crevices, or sidewalks. The boiling water will destroy the weed’s cell structure and kill it. As long as you’re careful not to get burned, pouring boiling water on weeds won’t damage other plants.
Keeping you garden and lawn can sometimes take time, but it can be incredibly rewarding. Keep your lawn looking lush and appealing by learning how to fix patchy and bald spots, try doing DIY landscaping ideas, and so much more.
