How to Get Rid of Weeds Naturally
Getting rid of weeds naturally and in an environmentally friendly way protects the wildlife in your yard from harsh chemicals. You can use everyday items to kill and prevent weeds and maintain your commitment to organic growing methods.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Gardening gloves
- Flame weeder
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Plastic sheet
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1
Soften the soil with water the day before digging if you have a small area to rid of weeds. Loosen the soil gently with a shovel before pulling out a weed while wearing gloves. Remove the entire weed root system. If the weed has a seed head on it, carefully cut it off. Do not shake the seed head, so it stays intact.
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2
Burn broadleaf weeds with a flame weeder. These work well but take a several minutes to burn each weed.
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3
Pour boiling water on the weeds. This cooks them, which in turns kills them.
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4
Cover the patch with a thick layer of newspaper. Lay six or more sheets thick over the weeds to block out the sun and air. This works well and can last for two years while the newspaper decomposes; you can also employ cardboard. The layering works well, and the paper lets the moisture drain through. You can apply several inches of topsoil directly over the newspaper and plant, adding mulch to keep the newspapers in place. Pull new weeds that start in the topsoil before they grow too big.
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5
Cover a larger patch of weeds with a plastic sheet for several days. The sun beats down on them and cooks the weeds. Leave the plastic on for a few more days to kill weed seeds.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Apply chemicals in small amounts to control the application.
Keep children and pets out of the yard when using the weed torch.
Keep children and pets out of the yard when using the flame weeder.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
