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 connection has generated interest in methods of weed suppression that do not include serious toxins. Professional landscapers are already aware that an installation of decorative plants that grow naturally in the local ecosystem is not only attractive, but attracts fewer pests due to developed resistance. Invading weeds that do find a foothold can also be controlled more easily, often without chemicals.
The first line of defense is old-fashioned manual labor, which is also the safest method. Commercially sold herbicides save time for busy gardeners, cutting down on the efforts required to pull out the invaders by hand. Many chemical products kill effectively but indiscriminately, and are difficult to limit to a specific area. Pulling out unwanted growth individually can be tedious, but does not endanger pets through exposure.
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.
Boiling water can be augmented with vinegar, which contains acetic acid, a naturally powerful herbicide that does not harm animals or children. Inexpensive pickling vinegar contains a substantial amount acid, and works best when added to water in equal quantities. There is absolutely no long-term toxicity, but while it does the job well, some hardier plants are more difficult to eliminate.
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.
Borax can be sprinkled in powder form, destroying hardy growth before the roots can become established. Vodka may be helpful when added to the water and vinegar mixture, because it causes dehydration and ultimately death. Commercial weedkillers are currently being marketed that claim to be organically produced, but using them is a choice that should be carefully considered.
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 connection has generated interest in methods of weed suppression that do not include serious toxins. Professional landscapers are already aware that an installation of decorative plants that grow naturally in the local ecosystem is not only attractive, but attracts fewer pests due to developed resistance. Invading weeds that do find a foothold can also be controlled more easily, often without chemicals.
The first line of defense is old-fashioned manual labor, which is also the safest method. Commercially sold herbicides save time for busy gardeners, cutting down on the efforts required to pull out the invaders by hand. Many chemical products kill effectively but indiscriminately, and are difficult to limit to a specific area. Pulling out unwanted growth individually can be tedious, but does not endanger pets through exposure.
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.
Boiling water can be augmented with vinegar, which contains acetic acid, a naturally powerful herbicide that does not harm animals or children. Inexpensive pickling vinegar contains a substantial amount acid, and works best when added to water in equal quantities. There is absolutely no long-term toxicity, but while it does the job well, some hardier plants are more difficult to eliminate.
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.
Borax can be sprinkled in powder form, destroying hardy growth before the roots can become established. Vodka may be helpful when added to the water and vinegar mixture, because it causes dehydration and ultimately death. Commercial weedkillers are currently being marketed that claim to be organically produced, but using them is a choice that should be carefully considered.
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