HOW TO GET RID OF WEED NATURALLY

1. Introduction

Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby, but the presence of weeds can make it challenging. Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in your garden and compete with your desired plants for the available resources. They can also harbor pests and diseases that can affect the health of your plants. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your garden weed-free to ensure healthy and thriving plants. In this article, we’ll share with you some natural ways to get rid of garden weeds.

2. Understanding Weeds

• What are weeds?

Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in your garden and compete with your desired plants for the available resources.

• Why are weeds a problem?

Weeds can affect the health of your plants by competing for water, nutrients, and sunlight. They can also harbor pests and diseases that can infect your plants. Weeds can also reduce the aesthetic value of your garden.

• Types of weeds

There are two types of weeds: broadleaf weeds and grass weeds. Broadleaf weeds have wider leaves, while grass weeds have thin, blade-like leaves.

3. Cultural Control of Weeds

Cultural control of weeds involves making changes to your gardening practices to minimize weed growth. Here are some cultural practices that can help keep weeds at bay:

• Organic mulching – covering the soil with organic material such as leaves, straw, or wood chips to prevent weed growth.
• Hand weeding – removing weeds by hand using a hoe, trowel, or weed puller.
• Proper spacing – Planting your crops at the recommended spacing can help to minimize weed growth by reducing competition for resources.
• Crop rotation – rotating your plants annually to reduce the buildup of weeds and pest populations.
• Use of cover crops – planting a cover crop between planting seasons can reduce weed growth by outcompeting them for resources.

4. Chemical Control of Weeds

If cultural control of weeds fails, chemical control can be an effective way to get rid of weeds. However, it’s essential to use the right herbicides and follow the instructions carefully to avoid harming your desired plants. Here are some types of herbicides:

• Pre-emergent herbicides – applied before weed seeds germinate to prevent their growth.
• Post-emergent herbicides – applied after weeds have emerged.
• Selective herbicides – designed to kill specific types of weeds without harming your desired plants.
• Non-selective herbicides – kill all plants they come into contact with, including your desired plants.

5. Natural Weed Killers

If you prefer using natural products, here are some natural weed killers:

• Vinegar – Mix one gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt, and a tablespoon of dish soap to create a natural weed killer.
• Boiling water – Pour boiling water onto the weeds to kill them.
• Corn gluten meal – It’s a natural pre-emergent herbicide that prevents weed seeds from germinating.
• Borax – Mix borax with water to create a natural weed killer.
• Citrus oil – Mix citrus oil with water to create a natural weed killer.

6. Companion Planting

Companion planting involves planting different plants together to gain benefits such as better pollination, increased pest control, and improved soil health. Here are some companion plants that can help with weed control:

• Marigolds – They produce a chemical that repels some weeds.
• Clover – It can prevent weed growth by outcompeting them for resources.
• Mint – It can help repel some pests and inhibit weed growth.
• Lavender – It can help repel some pests and attract beneficial insects that can control pests.
• Nasturtiums – They can attract aphids and prevent them from attacking your other plants.

7. Landscaping Fabric

Landscaping fabric is a permeable cloth that prevents weed growth by blocking light from reaching the soil. It’s a great alternative to using chemical herbicides, especially in areas where hand weeding is challenging. Here are some benefits of landscaping fabric:

• Prevents weed growth – By blocking light from reaching the soil, weed growth is minimized.
• Improves soil health – It allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil while keeping it covered, improving soil health.
• Reduces moisture evaporation – It can help retain moisture in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Easy to install – Simply cut the fabric to size, lay it over the soil, and secure it with stakes or pins.

8. Smothering Weeds with Organic Material

Smothering weeds using organic material can be an effective way to get rid of weeds. It involves covering the soil with organic material such as leaves, straw, or wood chips to prevent light from reaching the weed seeds, minimizing their growth. Here are some benefits of smothering weeds with organic material:

• Prevents weed growth – By blocking light from reaching the soil, weed growth is minimized.
• Improves soil health – As the organic material decomposes, it enriches the soil with nutrients, improving soil health.
• Minimizes soil erosion – Smothering weeds can help protect the soil from erosion by wind and water.
• Attracts beneficial organisms – The decomposing organic material can attract beneficial organisms such as earthworms that help aerate the soil and improve its structure.

9. Biological Control of Weeds

Biological control of weeds involves using living organisms such as insects, fungi, or bacteria to control weed growth. Here are some biological control methods:

• Sheep or goats – They can be used to graze on weeds and minimize their growth.
• Insects – They can be used to attack and eat specific types of weeds.
• Fungi – They can be used to attack the roots of weeds and minimize their growth.
• Bacteria – They can be used to produce chemicals that inhibit weed growth.

10. Solarizing Weeds

Solarizing weeds involves covering the soil with clear plastic to trap heat and steam, killing weed seeds, and sterilizing the soil. Here’s how to solarize weeds:

1. Water the soil well.
2. Cover the soil with clear plastic, making sure it’s tight and secure.
3. Leave the plastic in place for four to six weeks during the hot summer months.
4. Remove the plastic, and allow the soil to cool before planting.

11. Using Essential Oils

Essential oils are natural plant-based oils that can be used to repel pests and inhibit weed growth. Here are some essential oils that can be used for weed control:

• Peppermint oil – It can repel pests and inhibit weed growth.
• Lemongrass oil – It can repel pests and inhibit weed growth.
• Thyme oil – It can inhibit weed growth and repel pests.
• Clove oil – It can repel pests and inhibit weed growth.

12. Edible Weeds

Believe it or not, some weeds are edible and can even be nutritious. Here are some edible weeds:

• Dandelion – The leaves can be used in salads, and the roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
• Purslane – It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and can be used in salads or cooked as a vegetable.
• Chickweed – It can be used in salads or made into a pesto-like sauce.
• Nettle – It’s rich in vitamins and minerals and can be used in soups or as a tea.

13. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant that can be used to kill weeds. Here’s how to use hydrogen peroxide as a weed killer:

• Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water.
• Apply the solution to the weeds with a spray bottle.
• Wait for a few hours to see the results.
• Repeat the process if necessary.

14. Black Plastic Sheeting

Black plastic sheeting can be used to kill weeds by trapping solar heat and starving them of light. Here’s how to use black plastic sheeting:

1. Cut the black plastic sheeting to size and cover the area with weeds.
2. Weigh down the edges with rocks or other heavy objects to prevent wind from blowing them away.
3. Leave the sheeting in place for several weeks to kill the weeds.
4. Remove the sheeting, and dispose of the dead weeds.

15. Tools for Weed Control

Having the right tools for weed control can make the job easier and more effective. Here are some tools for weed control:

• Hoe – Used for cultivating and removing weeds.
• Trowel – Used for weeding and planting.
• Weed puller – Used for removing weeds with deep roots.
• Handheld sprayer – Used for applying herbicides and other weed control products.
• Gloves – Protects your hands while weeding.

16. Herbicide Safety

If you decide to use herbicides, it’s essential to follow the instructions carefully and use them safely to avoid harming yourself or the environment. Here are some herbicide safety tips:

• Wear protective clothing – Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself from exposure to herbicides.
• Follow the instructions – Read and follow the instructions on the herbicide label carefully.
• Avoid spraying in windy conditions – Herbicides can drift and affect unintended plants and areas.
• Store herbicides safely – Store herbicides in a cool, dry, and secure place out of reach of children and pets.
• Dispose of herbicides properly – Follow the instructions on the herbicide label for safe disposal of containers and unused herbicides.

17. Weeding Tips

Weeding can be a time-consuming and tedious task, but here are some tips to make it easier:

• Weed frequently – Weeding regularly can prevent weeds from becoming established and harder to remove.
• Water before weeding – Watering the soil before weeding can make weed removal easier.
• Remove the entire weed – Make sure to remove the entire weed, including the roots, to prevent regrowth.
• Dispose of weeds properly – If the weeds have seeds, dispose of them in sealed bags to prevent them from spreading.
• Don’t compost weed seeds – Composting weed seeds can lead to their germination.

18. Planting Tips to Minimize Weeds

Planting your crops strategically can minimize weed growth. Here are some planting tips:

• Mulch – Covering the soil with organic mulch can prevent weed growth by blocking light from reaching the soil.
• Dense planting – Planting your crops densely can minimize weed growth by shading the soil and preventing weed germination.
• Companion planting – As mentioned earlier, planting beneficial companion plants can help with weed control.
• Plant cover crops – Planting cover crops between seasons can minimize soil erosion and weed growth.
• Vertical gardening – Growing your plants vertically, such as on trellises or cages, can minimize weed growth by reducing the surface area of the soil.

19. Common Garden Weeds

Knowing the common garden weeds can help you identify and remove them more effectively. Here are some common garden weeds: