Ways of getting rid of weeds

One of the things that affect the aesthetic value of your yard or garden is weeds. Weeds are the uninvited guests that rob the already established plants important nutrients and space. Therefore, it is important to utilize processes that have the least effect on both the soil and plants. Numerous weed control methods do not necessarily involve the use of chemicals. These weed control methods include:

Newspaper

One of the most basic tools used to control weeds is newspapers. A carpet of newspaper helps in blocking the amount of oxygen and sunlight accessing the soil. The newspaper smothers the already sprouting weeds while preventing the new ones from growing. The process entails establishing a 10-sheets layer of newspaper on the floor of the lawn. The newspaper must be made wet to hold it down. The newspaper is then covered with a layer of mulch normally 1 or 2 inches. In the case of instances where weeds begin to germinate, it is advisable to add more layers of mulch. This helps in the creation of mulch-newspaper lasagna which finally decomposes and helps in the nourishment of the soil.

Old Carpet Samples

Just as it is the case with the use of newspapers, the carpet samples also help in suppressing the growth of weeds. The process involves the spreading of these items along the garden paths or between the rows. Once these materials are spread all over the garden, the weeds are deprived of getting sufficient water and oxygen. These materials act as mulches and eventually kills the weeds in the process.

Corn Gluten Meal

Corn gluten meal is a by-product of corn. It helps in restrict weed seeds from sprouting. The meal prevents the germination of weeds; therefore, it is spread around an already established plant once the roots of the plants have taken hold in the soil. After harvesting, the meal is evenly spread in the field to prevent the occurrence of late-season weeds.

Vinegar

Vinegar is another important component used in weeds control. The acetic acid in 5 % vinegar has a desiccant property that kills weeds by sucking the life out of the weed’s leaves. Vinegar is specifically destructive when introduced to young plants that have immature roots. The only kind of weeds that resistant to vinegar are those that have waxy leaves because the solution easily rolls off. An example of such weeds includes thistle or pennywort. It is advisable to cover the desirables before spraying because vinegar acts on plants non-selectively. Therefore, the spray must be placed on-target which is achieved through removing the bottom of a bottle and placing the bottle right over the weed. It is a precaution to keep the vinegar from splattering on the desirable plants.

Vodka

Vodka is readily available in most homes. The process involves mixing an ounce of vodka, 2 cups of water, and several drops of a soap dish. Once this solution is applied to weeds that thrive in the sun, the weeds end up drying up. However, the solution is not as effective for shade-loving weeds. It is precautionary to protect desirable plants because vodka works non-selectively when it comes into contact with any plant.

Soap

Soap has oil components that play an important role in breaking down the hairy or waxy surfaces of the weed which makes the weed vulnerable to desiccants. Therefore, soap increases the effectiveness of vodka or vinegar when dealing with weeds with either hairy or waxy leaves. Another important characteristic of soap is its ability to keep leaves shiny which helps in identifying the already sprayed surfaces.

Therefore, there are various ways of weeds control but its effectiveness solely depends on the application process. It is also critical to control weeds when it is still young before the weed becomes resistant to weed control measures.

Citation

https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/yard-patio/how-to-get-rid-of-weeds-naturally/