7 Ways To Get Rid Of Weeds In Your Yard

Weeds, those uninvited guests who rob your plants of space and nutrients, are the hindrance of any garden or yard. Some natural weed-killing methods are both efficient and safe for the environment. If you only see a few weeds sprouting in your flower bed, try pulling them out and digging up as many of the roots as you can. However, if weeds are taking over your garden, here are some methods for getting rid of weeds in your yard.

Vinegar

Acetic acid is the active ingredient in vinegar that makes it a weed killer. White vinegar contains approximately 5% acetic acid. This vinegar burns weed tops but are less likely to kill weeds with well-established roots. You’ll need to use a vinegar weed killer regularly for it to be most effective. If you’re not careful, it can also kill nearby plants.

Mulch

Covering your planting areas with mulch will prevent weed seeds from ever coming into contact with the soil. Mulch also prevents sunlight from reaching seeds that are already underground, preventing them from sprouting. Mulch has the added advantage of retaining moisture while breaking it down to enrich the soil. It also has a beautiful appearance.

Boiling water

Boiling water will scald those pesky weeds. Directly remove your kettle from the stove and bring it into the garden. Spray each unwanted plant’s crown with a stream of hot water. It may take two or three applications to kill tough perennial weeds with long taproots, but they eventually will die.

Newspaper

The newspaper has the same weed-control properties as landscape fabric, but it is a more environmentally friendly option because it is made from recycled materials. Lay at least three layers of newspaper on the soil around the plants you want to protect for the best results. While the newspaper isn’t notably attractive on its own, mulching or graveling creates a neat, tidy appearance in garden beds.

Rubbing alcohol

Look in your medicine cabinet for rubbing alcohol, an effective homemade weed killer that you most likely already have. Rubbing alcohol, when mixed with water, kills weeds and prevents regrowth. Add four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to a gallon of warm water to make your rubbing alcohol mixture. Fill a spray bottle halfway with the mixture and spray the weeds until they are thoroughly wet but not dripping. As needed, reapply.

Corn gluten meal

Corn gluten meal, produced as a byproduct of corn milling, effectively restricts seed growth. This organic pre-emergent herbicide is commonly used to keep weeds out of lawns. It must be applied at the right time in the spring, before the weeds begin to sprout, for it to be effective. Altogether avoid using corn gluten meal in any beds where you intend to plant other seeds, as it will prevent them from growing as well.

Borax

Borax weed killer is particularly effective against weeds such as Creeping Charlie and Ground Ivy. However, because it can kill grass on lawns, you should use it with caution. Mix one cup of powdered borax with two gallons of water to make your own homemade borax weed killer. Spray the weeds with the mixture, aiming for the roots, and reapply as needed.