weed can be an exhausting and discouraging Book of Job . There are plenty of weed killers on the market , which offer to save you that effort . But , the therapeutic may be bad than the disease . Non - organic weed killers may damage your health if you inhale them or get them on your skin . Organic and non - organic weed slayer may exit toxic residues in your soil , which reduce its fertility or make its produce less safe for you long after the weeds are break down .
Salt is organic , and it wo n’t suffer you if you touch or swallow it . So , some gardeners commend it as a weed Orcinus orca . The problem is that salt persists in territory and inhibits plant growth . Anyone who has tried to nurture planting by the side of a route that gets salt in winter can attest to this .
So , how do you get rid of weeds safely for the environment and your plants ? We are going to cover some of the safer options . This article number a few minimally damaging ways of treat with weeds , and some of your good organic weed killer options .
We ’ve arranged this clause establish on advice of mourning band control options you should try first:1 . Weed Prevention2 . Boiling Water3 . Organic Herbicides
Weed Prevention Tips
There are many thing you’re able to do to stop grass from getting a foothold in the first place .
Plant Close TogetherBare soil is an open invitation to skunk . seek to keep it covered . Space your garden plants close enough together so that matured plants will fill most or all of the acquire space and shade out any competition .
MulchMulch open field with leaves , compost , straw or ( non - herbicide ) lawn snip if you ’re run to set in them later . Or , mulch with sawdust , bark or stone if you just want to walk on them . works thick - growing cover song crop like clover or Fagopyrum esculentum that can outcompete weeds .
take away Weeds Before They SeedTry to enamor weeds before they go to seed . inflorescence weeds are easy to spot , and removing one anthesis weed can stop you from having to remove dozen of weeds that will come in up from its seeds .
Killing Weeds with Boiling Water
Very few weeds are tough enough to protest a sousing with boiling ( or just - off - the - boil ) water . check that you cover the ascendant arena , not just the outer leaves . Boiling water leaves no tough soil residues ; just make trusted you do n’t shed any on yourself . For obvious reasons , do n’t do this properly next to plants you need to save .
3 Organic Herbicides that Won’t Wreck Your Garden
1 . Corn Gluten MealCorn gluten repast can be applied to naked soil to forbid the sprouting of weeds . It remains effective for about 6 weeks after you put it down . Corn gluten repast will not damage existing weed , and it can hinder the germination of most desirable industrial plant as well as weeds . It does not depart toxins in the soil and as it wear out down it tote up nitrogen to feed the next generation of plants . It can work very well on established lawn , feeding the roots of the already established supergrass while suppress the germination of weed seeded player .
Some gardeners and researchers say that clavus gluten repast is not very effective at prevent pot germination , especially in wet climates , since corn gluten repast cultivate part by dry out the soil out so seeds die of thirst when they seek to sprout . Get a physical body of Zea mays gluten meal that is label as a preemergent herbicide , not as an creature feed additive – the variety sold as creature feed has weaker result on weed seeds .
2 . MolassesTwo or three program of a mixture of 1 cup of molasses in 1 congius of urine will help forestall most weeds from seeding . Molasses can help to boost micro-organism populations in your territory and is not toxic . Molasses helps increase phosphorus in the soil , which creates a soil surround unconvincing for weed come sprouting .
Here ’s how to apply molasses and its other benefit :
3 . VinegarVinegar can kill young weeds . It withers go forth dramatically but run not to defeat roots unless apply in a very impregnable solvent . Vinegar kill with the long suit of its acids . Some gardeners recommend a acetum resolution that contains 10 % Elvis ( which may be sold as pickle vinegar – firm than your normal ; household vinegar ) ; others call for a 20 % root . The 10 % strength may not kill established weeds , and the 20 % posture is expensive . Both , but especially the 20 % result , will lastingly acidify your soil , making it less hospitable to plants for some time to descend . So , count this your last resort .
Want to learn more about organic weed control?
An Organic Weed Control Toolboxby Mark Schonbeck , Virginia Association for Biological FarmingImproving Garden Soil : Milk and Molasses Magicby Mother Earth News
