Getting Rid of Weeds

Getting Rid of Weeds

Spring is here! This is the beginning of the gardening year and busy period for gardeners. The most common, cool-season annual and perennial weeds are beginning to germinate. Yes, weeds, right along with the daffodils and the tulip bulbs that are appearing.

A few weeds are poisonous. Some are a nuisance and you will need to find ways to discourage or eradicate them.

Home gardeners spend more than 200 million dollars a year on chemical herbicides to kill weeds and unwanted plants. Chemical herbicides pollute groundwater, degrade soil, and are often carcinogenic. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective organic techniques for weed control. Just bend over and pull them up; or walk around the garden with a cultivator in hand. If you can't dig them as soon as you see them, pinch off the flowers so they won't go to seed.

The simplest way to prevent an abundance of weeds is to pull weeds before they set seed, but here are a few home solutions for you.

1. Heinz white vinegar poured directly on the weeds. To kill weeds in the garden or between the cracks in the sidewalk and driveway.
2. Pour salt on weeds on a dry, sunny day kills weeds. Avoid getting salt on any plants you want to thrive.
3. Give your weeds a stiff drink of Vodka. Mix three tablespoons vodka and two cups water in a trigger-spray bottle. Spray weeds well, without getting the alcohol solution on other plants. The vodka dehydrates the weeds.
4. You can find corn gluten based products for an organic approach as well. Follow the label directions for application rates and where to use.
5. Use boiling water in order to scald the foliage and roots.