How to kill weeds naturally
Kill Weeds Naturally, Without Harming Your Other Plants
No matter how carefully you plan, it's inevitable that some pesky weeds will appear in your garden. If you see them, don't immediately reach for the herbicide; There are natural ways to kill weeds that solve the problem in an environmentally friendly way. If you see a few weeds sprouting in your flower bed, pull them out and try to dig up as many of the roots as possible. But if you find that your garden is overgrown with weeds, a natural weed killer can help get your yard back on track.
Chemical-free ways to kill weeds
If you want to avoid using herbicides or harsh chemicals in your garden, try these natural ways to kill weeds first.
Mulch
Anything that covers and suppresses weeds, including biodegradable materials such as cardboard and newspapers, is a type of mulch. Mulch also helps conserve moisture. An organic mulch works great in two ways: it provides weed control, and it breaks up your soil to make it more fertile. Pine Bark ($8, Ace Hardware) Use a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic material such as straw, grass clippings from a non-chemical lawn, or bark. However, wood mulch takes nitrogen from the soil in order to break it down, so it pulls nitrogen (and nutrients) away from your plants. Avoid placing mulch near tree trunks or plant stems, which can lead to disease or decay.
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Solarization
During the heat of summer, place thin clear plastic over any area you want to weed. Leave the plastic on for four to six weeks. The sun warms the soil and kills weeds and weed seeds, but intense heat can also kill beneficial organisms.
Flaming
You can use a propane torch ($24, The Home Depot) to burn the weeds. Use extreme care and wait until a windless day to burn the weeds. Burning weeds will also kill nearby grass and other plants, so it's best to use in areas without vegetation that you want to keep between the cracks of concrete pavement.
Hand weeding
Pick up a dandelion weeder ($10, The Home Depot). There are even long-handled versions that allow you to stand up while weeding. If the roots are in the soil, they may grow back. If you don't have the right tools, the next best thing is to pull the plant out as close to the roots as possible.
Boiling water
Boiling water destroys plant tissue, but if you are trying to spot weeds, it will be difficult to control the flow of water.
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Natural herbicides
Any herbicide you choose, whether it's an organic (sometimes called "natural") compound or synthetic, has its advantages and disadvantages. These organic weed-killing products work, but they also have some limitations.
Vinegar
Acetic acid is the active ingredient that makes vinegar a weed killer. White vinegar contains about 5% acetic acid. This vinegar burns the tops of weeds but is less likely to kill weeds with well-established roots. For a vinegar weed killer to be most effective, you need to use it often. It can also kill nearby plants if you're not careful.
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Natural herbicides
Any herbicide you choose, whether it's an organic (sometimes called "natural") compound or synthetic, has its advantages and disadvantages. These organic weed-killing products work, but they also have some limitations.
Vinegar
Acetic acid is the active ingredient that makes vinegar a weed killer. White vinegar contains about 5% acetic acid. This vinegar burns the tops of weeds but is less likely to kill weeds with well-established roots. For a vinegar weed killer to be most effective, you need to use it often. It can also kill nearby plants if you're not careful.
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Corn gluten meal
Dr. at Iowa State University. Nick Christensen found that corn gluten ($37, Ace Hardware), a corn grinding additive, works well to prevent seeds from sprouting. This pre-emergent organic herbicide is often sold as a lawn weed-control product. For it to be effective, it must be applied at the right time in the spring, before weeds begin to germinate. Usually, it takes a few years of consistent use to reach its full potential. Avoid using corn gluten meal in any beds you plan to sow other seeds, as it will inhibit their germination.
What not to use: Salt
It's true that salt kills plants, including weeds, but it poisons the land over the years and moves into groundwater sources with rain or runoff. It's a bad idea to use it anywhere in the yard, so avoid homemade weed-killer recipes that contain salt or Epsom salt, vinegar, and dish soap. Both salts and soap are toxic to the environment and should be avoided.
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