Winning the war on weeds
Nothing can take away from a beautiful garden than to have weeds popping up everywhere. Weeds that are actively growing especially during the rainy season can be a challenge to the homeowner.
This has been a battle for me working in private homes over the years and the unfortunate thing is the hours that are involved especially when hand weeding is required.
The use of weed killers is an added benefit and can really save time making your weeding project easier but a word of warning here, weed killers are poisonous and can cause great harm if handled the wrong way
so it is advised that the homeowner seeks professional help while applying weed killers or reading and following the label to the very letter because the label is the law.
I have worked with weed killers over the years and they have proven to give good results. Timing is also important when applying weed killers, for example, some weed killers are most effective when weeds are actively growing, also never apply weed killer before rainfall
because rainwater will wash away the weed killer weakening it or caring it into flower and plant beds that might prove fatal. Also when applying weed killers always wear special protection such as disposable gloves, goggles, and mask.
In this article, however, we will be looking at a safer approach to take when seeking to eliminate weeds.
Homemade weed killers
A safer approach is the use of homemade weed killers. Even though these mixtures may not work as fast as factory-made weed killers, these weed killers have proven not only to work but give good results.
Here are a few examples of homemade weed killers.
1. 1 tsp spoon of dish liquid soap, 1 cup of salt, 1 gal of white vinegar. combine all of these ingredients together add to spray bottle and apply when temperatures are high. The hotter the temperature the more effective this weed killer will be. Apply this mixture to foliage or leaves of weeds.
2. Combine 10 ounces of powder borax acid to 2.5 gals of water and apply directly to leaves of weeds.
3. Pouring steaming hot water directly to leaves and roots of weeds can work but be very, very, careful not to burn yourself.
4. Another method that has proven to work is called solarization. The way this is done especially for those of you that are deciding to install a garden is to level the area to be planted removing rocks and other debris.
Next, wet the ground really well followed by covering the entire area with a special type of plastic that can be purchased from your garden center. Make sure that the plastic is level and is laying evenly on the ground’s surface.
Then secure each end with stakes or garden pins. This procedure is most effective during the summer months when the temperatures are high.
The plastic and the moisture will cause the soil temperature to rise which in turn will bake and kill weed seeds along with a few soil-borne insects. Leave plastic down for about 4-6 weeks before removing.
The final word
Winning the war on weeds can be done in a safe way, so trying these homemade weed killers will prove effective in giving you the results you are looking for.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.