People fortunate enough to have a garden space know their fertile plot will also be a magnet for weeds. They are some of the most successful plants on earth, adapting to any space with enough sunshine and nutrients. Although they are unwelcome in most plots, the hazards associated with chemical pesticides leaves many gardeners wondering what to use to kill weeds in a less toxic fashion.
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.
Because of widely-publicized information regarding toxicity, interest in less damaging methods of control has increased. Professional landscapers already realize that planting vegetation that grows naturally in local ecosystems is not only easier to maintain, but also attracts fewer pests. Unwanted growth that does spring up can be kept under control more easily without using herbicides.
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 home gardeners cannot weed daily, and seek a faster process. One of the least environmentally dangerous is the use of boiling water, which should only be attempted by adults. Being doused in hot liquid has the same effect on plants as does on any other creature, and control areas formerly rife with overgrowth often show results in a matter of hours, not weeks.
Adding vinegar to the water augments the solution by increasing the amount of acetic acid, a natural herbicide. The greatest amounts are found in common pickling vinegar, an inexpensive substance that works best when added to water in equal amounts. There is little danger of residual toxins affecting children or pets, but not all hardy weed species succumb to it easily.
Areas meant for new construction or other purposes respond well to a solution that also includes salt. It is a powerful plant killer, but stays active for years, and changes the makeup of soil. If new sod is being installed, it is better to include salt in a solution of boiling water and vinegar, and administer it by hand. It can be used as an effective method eliminating individual 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.
Because of widely-publicized information regarding toxicity, interest in less damaging methods of control has increased. Professional landscapers already realize that planting vegetation that grows naturally in local ecosystems is not only easier to maintain, but also attracts fewer pests. Unwanted growth that does spring up can be kept under control more easily without using herbicides.
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 home gardeners cannot weed daily, and seek a faster process. One of the least environmentally dangerous is the use of boiling water, which should only be attempted by adults. Being doused in hot liquid has the same effect on plants as does on any other creature, and control areas formerly rife with overgrowth often show results in a matter of hours, not weeks.
Adding vinegar to the water augments the solution by increasing the amount of acetic acid, a natural herbicide. The greatest amounts are found in common pickling vinegar, an inexpensive substance that works best when added to water in equal amounts. There is little danger of residual toxins affecting children or pets, but not all hardy weed species succumb to it easily.
Areas meant for new construction or other purposes respond well to a solution that also includes salt. It is a powerful plant killer, but stays active for years, and changes the makeup of soil. If new sod is being installed, it is better to include salt in a solution of boiling water and vinegar, and administer it by hand. It can be used as an effective method eliminating individual 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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