How to get rid of weeds naturally

Rid of weeds naturally without harming your plants

No matter how carefully you plan, pesky weeds are inevitable in your garden. If you find them, don't reach for a chemical weed killer—there are natural ways to kill weeds in an eco-friendly way. If you see some weeds sprouting in your flower bed, pull them out and try to dig up as many roots as possible. But if you find that more and more weeds are taking over, a natural remedy can help you get your yard back.

Flaming

You can use a propane torch to burn the weeds. But use it with extreme caution. Wait for a windless day, as fire will also kill nearby grass and other vegetation, so it's best to use it in unplanted areas that you want to keep between the cracks of concrete pavement. Do not use flares in fire-prone areas.

Hand weeding

Grab a dandelion weeder, a tool with a forked end that digs deep into the soil to loosen and pry up the weed's roots. There are even long-handled versions that allow you to stand while weeding. If any roots are in the soil, they can grow back, so without the right tools, the next best thing

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 amount of acetic acid burns the tops of weeds but is less likely to kill anything 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.

Corn gluten meal

Iowa State University Dr. Nick Christensen discovered that corn gluten, a byproduct of corn milling, 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. Additionally, it usually takes a few years of consistent use to reach its full potential. Avoid using corn gluten meal in any beds you plan to plant other seeds in, as it will inhibit their germination.

What not to use: Salt

While it's true that salt kills plants, including weeds, it poisons the soil over the years and moves into groundwater sources after rain or irrigation. It's a bad idea to use it anywhere in your 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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