It has been stated that one person’s weed may just be someone else’s treasure. However, if you are a home gardener or a large agribusiness corporation, there will likely be some plants (weeds) that you need to get rid of in order to cultivate your desired crop.
Chemicals are not always the best way to get the upper hand when battling with weeds. You may be surprised after reading our article on how many alternatives are available to keep your lawn, pathways, or garden(s) free of weeds. In fact, there are a number of ways you can eliminate weeds efficiently. Some of the methods include homemade remedies for weed control.
Using Flame
The cells of plants are filled with sap and sap is practically water.
By spraying weeds with a weed flame gun, the sap boils and causes the weed’s cell wall to burst. This method eliminates weeds within a few seconds. It is one of the top ways to eliminate weeds from an allotment.
But where do you get a flame kit?
It’s quite easy. You can order a kit online from Amazon.co.uk. Amazon UK carries a number of torches, some that use propane and some that use butane.
Our top pick is the Rothenberger Propane Torch Kit. While it is among the higher end models of weed torches, it however is well worth the investment. It includes a 600mm burn tube, 57mm diameter burner, and 5 meter propane hose.
This method is one of the most environmentally friendly method of weed elimination.
Alternative herbicides
Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner and Neudorff organic fast acting weed killer are reported to be non-selective herbicides that are made of all natural ingredients. These weedkillers use environmentally friendly ingredients such as vinegar and lemon oil.
If you need a sprayer to apply the herbicide, then we recommend the hozelock wonder weeder or the Spear & Jackson Pump Action Pressure Sprayer, 5 L.
Mulch Your Way to a Weed Free garden!
Many gardeners use mulch to prevent weed growth. It also saves water, improves the soil, and makes your garden look appealing.
It’s recommended to use organic mulches because as the mulch decomposes it will add nutrient rich material to the soil.
Natural mulches include shredded cedar bark, salt-marsh hay, cocoa-bean hulls, pine bark chips, wood shavings, buckwheat hulls, calcined clay, turkey grit, bluestone, turface, licorice roots, and wood chips.
Peat moss was not included in the list above because it does not have any nutrients and it forms a waterproof mat that prevents water from reaching the soil.
Stone mulches are also recommended because they keep weeds from sprouting on areas that divide flagstone walkways. The stones trap heat from the sun and reflect it slowly at night. Also, pulling weeds from stone mulch is a very easy task.
Blanket Mulches
Black Polyethylene mulching film is commonly used by landscapers to control weeds.
If you are intending to plant a garden, you should know that holes can be cut in the film to make room for transplants or seedlings. Everything beneath the polyethylene film will be starved to death.
A weed suppressant cover is a woven material that is supposed to block close to 100% of sunlight. It can last up to 5 years before ultraviolet radiation damages the fabric. To learn more, check out our weed control fabric guide.
Manual Weeding Tools
There are several different tools for weeding. Manual weeding may require some labor but it is still an effective technique.
Fiskars Weed Puller
The Fiskars weed extractor is easy to use and effective. It has an ergonomic handle which means your hands will not get tired while pulling weeds. The hardened stainless steel blade makes the weed puller durable enough to handle larger weeding tasks. The lightweight pedal makes weeding an effortless process.
Spear and Jackson Elements Dandelion Weeder
This weeding tool has a formed head constructed with high carbon steel so it can grip the taproot. After getting a grip on the taproot, you can lever the weed out of the ground.
Draper Soft Grip Handle Garden Tiller
This tool is very similar to the claw tool. It is constructed with tubular steel which effectively grip the weed. The handles are soft grip which means you will not strain your hands or back.
Henfeather Trake
This trake is constructed with lightweight solid cast aluminum and is a combination of a seeder, soil depth measure, a trowel, and a rake. It is a higher end product. When using this trake there is no need to bend more than is required. It has a 17 inch handle and is ideal for eliminating taproot weeds and weeds growing in between 2 plants.
Spear and Jackson select stainless Dutch hoe
The Spear and Jackson select stainless Dutch hoe is another hand-held weeding tool. Its 6 feet length means that there is no need to bend down. It allows a gardener to remove the weed and work the soil simultaneously.
Using Salt and Vinegar
A mixture of salt and vinegar makes for an effective and cost-friendly weed killer. To use salt and vinegar makes a 3:1 ratio of table/rock salt and water and mix until the solution is dissolved. Next, add a bit of vinegar and stir the solution. Use a garden funnel to pour solution over the weed.
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