How to Kill Weeds Dead

There are lots of ways to kill weeds. Unfortunately, some of them also kill other plants, ruin soil and might even be dangerous to people and their pets. Using any weed killer should be done carefully, whether it is chemical or natural. Here are some suggestions on how to kill weeds dead!

Instructions

1. SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS

   Synthetic chemicals are poisons. They have to be toxic in order to kill. When shopping for a synthetic chemical to kill weeds, you want to find products with the shortest residual effects. The faster the poison dissipates the better. Most will still leave traces in the environment, though not enough to stop new weed seedlings from germinating. If you choose to use a synthetic chemical, follow ALL the instructions carefully, store it or dispose of the container responsibly, and wear proper protection for your skin and eyes. Synthetic chemicals are very efficient at killing weeds dead. Very dead. But there is a price in exposure to toxicity.

   There are many synthetic chemicals on the market that will kill weeds. Round-up seems to be the chemical of choice with one of the lower toxicity profiles and being non-flammable. Round-up is still a poison, however, and can contaminate water.

2. NATURAL OR ORGANIC WEED KILLERS

   Vinegar is the all-time favorite. You can combine it with an organic soap and it seems to work a little better, but the more you dilute the vinegar (especially with water) the less successful it will be. Unfortunately, vinegar doesn't often kill roots so if you have a persistent weed, it will likely re-grow. It's also best not to apply vinegar with a sprayer as it will burn surrounding plant foliage. Vinegar will also acidify soil which can be good or bad depending on the kind of soil you have.

   Plant extracts and oils can be very efficient. Natural oils like citrus, clove and peppermint are concentrated and will suffocate weeds. Being organic oils, they will break down over time and create no current or residual hazard.

   Avoid salt. Yes, it will kill weeds. It will also poison the soil for anything else you want to grow in that area. It is not toxic to mammals, but is is highly toxic to most plants. Also please do not use bleach. This, too, will kill weeds but pollute the soil. Both these products are long-lasting and will ruin your soil. They will also leach into the ground water over time. Not a good thing.

   You can also naturally and safely supress growth with corn glutten. Buy it by the bag.

   Or you can buy organic and natural weed killers already prepared for you. Most of them are a combination of one or more of the above products.

3. MECHANICAL WAYS TO KILL WEEDS DEAD

   Albeit mechanical weed killing is the most basic technique, it is also my personal favorite. Hand pulling weeds means you have to dig them out by the roots using hand tools and your fingers. It is the most labor-intensive, the safest and the most time-honored method of getting rid of weeds. If you pull the roots of weeds out thoroughly - especially the deep-rooting tap roots like those of dandelions, you will kill them dead forever. Most other techniques can miss these deep roots.

   Boiling water poured on weeds seems to work pretty well so long as the water stays hot enough to cook the roots.

   A similar methodology uses flame weeders. These are very effective and safe for the environment. Fried roots will not regrow and a concentrated flame can be aimed precisely. Be cautious about using flame weeders in dry areas prone to wildfires, though.

   Mulch is another excellent way to kill weeds dead. Plastic, wood, fabric or organic materials covering soil will suffocate weeds below and form a barrier to keep new weeds from rooting. Black plastic over bare ground in sunshine will add the element of sterilizing heat if you have a whole area that can be covered for at least a few weeks.

4. Weeds are unwelcome in our lawns and gardens, but they do help keep soil in place and are an important part of the cycle of nature. For more information on how to kill weeds dead, please check the Resources listed below.

Resources

• Clean air gardening
• General garden design and growing information
• The organic gardener