Weeds are those wild and unwanted plants that grow in the garden which suck out the nutrients from the soil and deprive the other garden plants of sufficient nutrients. Therefore de-weeding the garden from time to time is very important. There are some home methods you can use to get rid of weeds from your garden instead of using chemical herbicides. Read on to find out more.
1. Salt – Salt is a powerful weed killer but it should be very careful sprayed. Salt water should be sprayed only on areas you do not wants weeds to grow or in areas you do not want vegetation, as once the salt water is prayed the area will become dehydrated and barren.
Method: Into a spray can or spray bottle add in 3 tbsp of salt add in very little water, just enough to liquefy the solution and spray this on the weeds during the day time.
Tip: This method can be used for killing the weeds in your stone pathways, gravel drive ways, interlock tiled areas etc.
2. Boiling water: This is the simplest weed killer. Simply spray boiling water on the weeds during the day time. Be careful not to spray it on the other plants as it will cause it to dehydrate.
Caution: Be very careful when using this method as the boiling water can scald your hand or even melt the plastic spray bottle. So using a metal can and mitts is advisable.
3. Rubbing alcohol – Rubbing alcohol draws moisture away from the weed foliage and weakens the weeds once the foliage dries out. So trying this method could do you good.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol
- 1 litre water
Method: Into a spray can add in the rubbing alcohol and water and shake it well. You can use the spray can or even transfer some of the liquid into a small spray bottle and then spray it over the weeds.
Tip: It is important to spray this over the weeds during the daytime, when there is bright sunshine on the weeds.
Caution: Be careful when spraying this liquid. Spray it only on the weeds and not on any other plants or areas as it will affect the young plants.
4. Bleach: Pour some bleach into a spray can or spray bottle and spray it only on the weeds during the day time.
Caution: Bleach is a very powerful weed killer and can kill any vegetation it touches. So therefore spray this bleach only on the weeds and in areas where you do not want the weeds to crop up. Remember to wear gloves when using bleach and do not get any into your eyes. READ MORE – NATURAL PLANT FERTILIZERS with banana peel, rice water and other food scraps
5. Vinegar weed killer :
Ingredients:
- White vinegar ( 20% Strength ) – 1 gallon
- dish soap – 1/4 cup
- salt – 2 cups
Method: Into a spray can add in one litre of white vinegar, salt and liquid soap and shake it well. You can use the spray can or even transfer some of the liquid into a small spray bottle and then spray it over the weeds.
Tip: It is important to spray this over the weeds during the daytime, when there is bright sunshine on the weeds.
Caution: Be careful when spraying this liquid. Spray it only on the weeds and not on any other plants or areas as it will affect the young plants.
6. Baking soda: Baking soda kills weeds by drawing water from the plant cells, forcing the foliage to dry off. The sodium bicarbonate draws water from plant cells depriving it of the much-needed water for growth.
Pour about one teaspoon of baking soda per weed plant. Cover the whole weed plant, including its foliage and the stems. Treated weeds should change color to brown or black after a few days.
7. Low mown grass: Mowing your grass too low can also cause weeds to grow, as it can deplete the grass’s energy reserves and weaken or kill the grass, which will leave the lawn vulnerable to weed invasion.
8. Corn Gluten meal: This method can stop new weeds from coming up but doesn’t work on already grown weeds, as they can kill the weed seedlings as they germinate.
Method: Sprinkle this powder on the surface of your soil wherever weeds often grow. READ MORE – ADD THIS TO YOUR WATER FOR CLEAR GLOWING SKIN
Caution: Do not use this on newly seeded areas or patches as it will limit and hinder seed germination.