People who grow their own vegetables and flowers are well aware that a fertile plot will also attract weeds. They have successfully adapted to every corner of the world, as long as there are nutrients and water. Even though not welcome in most gardens, the well-known dangers of chemical pesticide use prompts many to wonder what to use to kill weeds in a way that is less harmful to other living things.
While the 20th century obsession with growing a tidy patch of lawn has waned, there are many chemical-based lawn and garden care products still widely used. They are designed primarily to kill plants using biocides, and there is no debate regarding their effectiveness. The main problem is that many are linked to cancer and other deadly health issues arising from exposure.
That concern has sparked interest in weeding methods that are less toxic, but still effective. Landscape specialists already know that installing decorative plants that grow naturally in the local ecosystem is one way to create a healthier display that attracts fewer insect pests. Plants that do spring up can be controlled more easily, often without resorting to chemical warfare.
Pulling plants manually may be old-fashioned, but remains the safest way to keep weeds at bay. Many gardeners with larger plots to control use commercially sold herbicides, which do cut down on maintenance. The problem is that some of those substances also kill adjacent plants, and are harder to contain within a specific boundary. Hand-pulling takes effort, but does not endanger the family dog.
Many seasonal gardeners seek a faster method of control. The use of boiling water causes no environmental damage, but should not be a responsibility given to most children. Dousing a plant in scalding water kills it instantly, and in some cases penetrates to root systems. Areas infested with unwanted growth show signs of clearing within hours, not days.
Many gardeners strengthen that method by adding vinegar, which increases the herbicidal effects of naturally occurring acetic acids. Common pickling vinegar is not only inexpensive, but contains the greatest amount of that substance, and should be added to water in equal parts. There is no residual danger to pets or children, but not all hardy flora are easy to kill.
If an area is being cleared for construction of a new patio or outbuilding, the addition of salt works well. Salt kills plants quickly, but does stay in the soil for years, changing the chemistry permanently. In areas designated for new sod, that problem can be reduced by adding salt to the mixture of vinegar and boiling water, and then administering it by hand. This method is ideal for eliminating new sprouts.
Other practical weedkillers include borax, which can be easily sprinkled into crevices, and destroys unwanted plants before they take root. Some gardeners also add vodka to the hot water and vinegar mixture, which makes plants more susceptible to dehydration. There are also commercial weedkillers that are labeled organic, and it is up to the individual gardener whether or not to use them.
While the 20th century obsession with growing a tidy patch of lawn has waned, there are many chemical-based lawn and garden care products still widely used. They are designed primarily to kill plants using biocides, and there is no debate regarding their effectiveness. The main problem is that many are linked to cancer and other deadly health issues arising from exposure.
That concern has sparked interest in weeding methods that are less toxic, but still effective. Landscape specialists already know that installing decorative plants that grow naturally in the local ecosystem is one way to create a healthier display that attracts fewer insect pests. Plants that do spring up can be controlled more easily, often without resorting to chemical warfare.
Pulling plants manually may be old-fashioned, but remains the safest way to keep weeds at bay. Many gardeners with larger plots to control use commercially sold herbicides, which do cut down on maintenance. The problem is that some of those substances also kill adjacent plants, and are harder to contain within a specific boundary. Hand-pulling takes effort, but does not endanger the family dog.
Many seasonal gardeners seek a faster method of control. The use of boiling water causes no environmental damage, but should not be a responsibility given to most children. Dousing a plant in scalding water kills it instantly, and in some cases penetrates to root systems. Areas infested with unwanted growth show signs of clearing within hours, not days.
Many gardeners strengthen that method by adding vinegar, which increases the herbicidal effects of naturally occurring acetic acids. Common pickling vinegar is not only inexpensive, but contains the greatest amount of that substance, and should be added to water in equal parts. There is no residual danger to pets or children, but not all hardy flora are easy to kill.
If an area is being cleared for construction of a new patio or outbuilding, the addition of salt works well. Salt kills plants quickly, but does stay in the soil for years, changing the chemistry permanently. In areas designated for new sod, that problem can be reduced by adding salt to the mixture of vinegar and boiling water, and then administering it by hand. This method is ideal for eliminating new sprouts.
Other practical weedkillers include borax, which can be easily sprinkled into crevices, and destroys unwanted plants before they take root. Some gardeners also add vodka to the hot water and vinegar mixture, which makes plants more susceptible to dehydration. There are also commercial weedkillers that are labeled organic, and it is up to the individual gardener whether or not to use them.
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