Pre-emergent weed management

Pre-emergent weed management, is simply things you can do to prevent weeds from popping up in the first place. We’ve included some tips to prevent weeds from growing in your garden!

Mulch

Weeds will grow on bare earth, so covering any bare spots like garden beds or around trees will prevent weed seeds from growing into full plants. Mulch beds in the winter to prevent weeds from popping up while your garden beds are empty.

Landscape fabric

Landscape fabric under your mulch is an effective way to prevent weeds from growing in your mulched or graveled areas. It’s best to go with a landscape fabric that allows water to pass through, not thick plastic. This fabric also helps regulate soil temperature, helping your plants out as the seasons change and the soil expands or contracts.

Solarization

The sun can also be used to clear weeds. Place a clear tarp over a patch of grass you want to clear of weeds to let the heat kill the vegetation underneath. This process normally takes 2 to 3 weeks and can be done in the late summer to prepare soil for planting.

Strategic planting and ground cover

Any bare patch of soil will accumulate weeds so an alternative method to mulching is planting ground covers. Ground cover will serve as a visually appealing blanket, preventing weeds from taking root. Cover crops planted in your garden over winter have the additional advantage of adding nutrients to your soil when they are tilled into your garden in the spring.

Corn gluten meal

With appropriate timing an application of corn gluten meal can prevent weed seeds from taking root. Corn gluten meal needs to be applied around heavy rainfall and then there needs to be a dry period afterwards for it to work correctly. This can be a bit difficult to work out, but can be simulated with heavy watering. It can be applied once a month to prevent crabgrass.

Post-emergent weed killer

Post-emergent weed killers are ways to kill weeds after they have already grown. These include spot treatments. Most organic weed control is non-selective, meaning it can’t tell the difference between your daisies and crabgrass. Post-emergent weed killer methods need to be applied carefully, directly to the weed for the best results.

Vinegar

Household white vinegar is an easy and effective weed killer. There are many different formulations online for organic weed killer made of vinegar. You can buy horticultural vinegar from your garden supply store. Wait for a sunny day to apply as the damage to the plant tissues happens when the sunlight touches the leaves.

It’s important if you use one of these recipes not to use any recipe containing salt. While salt will work to kill weeds, it will also make it impossible to grow anything in that patch of dirt for a long time.

Boiling water

You can pour boiling water from your kettle on newly emerged weeds in cracks of sidewalks or in your garden. Cut away the foliage of the weed and apply the boiling water slowly to the root. Plants with deep roots like dandelions will require a deeper application.

Burning

Carefully burning weeds is another post-emergent control method. If you have a hand torch very carefully burn the weed until the leaves are wilted. Over the next few days the plant will dry up and die. This method is most effective on weeds smaller than 4 inches.

Hand weed

The classic method of removing weeds is getting down in the dirt and hand weeding them. In order to get the most out of your weeding, water before you weed. Watch your weeds and try to pull them before they seed. Pulling them when they flower is often the easiest way to remember to do this. Do not put weeds in your compost. They can add seeds that end up in your garden beds when you fertilize.

Best hardware store formulas to kill weeds

We took a look at some of the best organic weed control products you can pick up at your garden center or hardware store. Here’s what we found!

Pure borax powder

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that can be used to control weeds. It works by changing the pH of the soil from a comfortable 7 to around 9, killing weeds. It also kills all other plants, so it needs to be applied carefully. Do not to over use Borax or it can build up in your soil and prevent anything from growing at all. A simple solution is 1/2 cup borax to 1 gallon of water.

Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed and Grass killer

Next, this weed killer eliminates common weeds in less than 24 hours. It’s made from ethanol distilled from corn grain and can be used on any common surfaces like flower beds, sidewalks, driveways, and pavers. Look for the container with the spray bottle nozzle for easy application.

Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer

According to the manufacturer‘s website, Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer works to kill over 250 kinds of weeds. It’s safe for people and pets and biodegradable. This killer also comes in a convenient spray bottle for your convenience.

Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed and Grass Killer

Finally, Tested by the University of Florida, this weed killer uses acetic acid to burn away weeds. According to their website it is safe for aquatic life, pets, and children. It comes in several sizes, including one with a spray nozzle.

Ask for professional help

If you are having trouble conquering weeds yourself, reach out to an experienced landscaper like the ones at bhild.com. Call us today, or fill out our form here for a free estimate on lawn services!