A growing number of people are more open to weeds. People who are open to nature’s beauty and goodness recognize the virtues of certain weeds. If you are able to tolerate a little creeping Charlie growing in your lawn, you will be rewarded with beautiful flowers and a pleasant aroma every time you mow. If you are in the majority, however, you would then take to your arsenal of weed control methods to eradicate weeds permanently.
Can You Kill Weeds Permanently?
“Permanently” can be a big word. Gardening teaches us humility. Technically, the answer is yes. But we need to ask two more questions: What do we mean by “kill weeds” and what price would you be willing to pay?
Individual weeds can be killed permanently but not the whole class. You can’t prevent weeds from growing in any open plot of fertile earth. You’ll need to use the same method that you used to get rid of individual weeds, and then you will have to do it again to eliminate any new ones.
Consider the price on two levels. First, consider whether you are willing to accept certain drawbacks in order to kill existing weeds. One example is the unwelcome side effects of chemical herbicides. Prevention comes with a price. Eternal vigilance takes time and energy.
Methods to Kill Weeds Permanently
There are both chemical and natural ways to kill weeds. Let’s not forget about hand-pulling. We also have two natural methods to kill weeds.
Soil solarization
Solarization of soil kills weeds before the seeds have a chance to grow. It targets them at the seed stage. Prepare for the procedure by thoroughly raking the area so that nothing sharp protrudes. Soak the soil. Place a sheet of clear polyethylene. You need to have sun for soil solarization to be effective. This is why June and July are great times. The plastic sheet should be kept in place for at least two months. The heat will quickly cook the weed seeds so they don’t have time to sprout.
Vinegar
In the sense that no chemicals have been added to the soil, soil solarization is considered natural. There are natural substances that plants dislike, such as weeds. Salt is one of these, but its drawbacks make it difficult to use. Vinegar is becoming a very popular lawn care ingredient. Vinegar is best for annuals. You can learn when annual weeds start to set seed so you can target them before they create a new generation. Spray when there is a chance of sunshine. Rain could wash away the vinegar before it could be effective. The real damage to the plants comes in the days following spraying when the sun hits them. Strong vinegar is the best choice as it can kill weeds better than most supermarket vinegar. Be aware of the surrounding plants to make sure you don’t accidentally take out a plant that you love!
Injecting Herbicides
Non-natural methods are also available. There are many ways to apply the chemicals. An injection may be the best option for some perennial and large weeds. Japanese knotweed, for example, produces large canes that make it easy to insert the needle of a syringe into them and then release the herbicide into the plants. This is an important feature of non-selective herbicides. It allows you to avoid putting toxic chemicals on any plants around you.
Spraying herbicides and applying granules
Herbicides are more commonly applied in granular or spray form. If you have treated your lawn with pre-emergent crabgrass herbicide in spring, then you are familiar with the latter. Spraying existing weeds with a spray can be applied to the leaves (avoid spraying during windy days).
Kill off weeds before they can grow
Prevention is the best option, especially if your goal is to be natural. Landscape fabric and mulch are two of the most common items for prevention. Landscape fabric is applied to garden areas that might be prone to weed growth. It acts as a barrier to weeds. Mulch can be added to the fabric to protect it from UV rays. Mulch can be used alone to suppress weeds.
Drawbacks
Each weed control method comes with its own drawbacks. They can take up some of your time or even pose a risk to your health. It is up to you to decide where the line falls on this spectrum. Consider your personal preferences, your health, and your plans for the future to determine if there is a drawback. Also, consider professional weed control services if you aren’t too keen on doing everything yourself.
Call Conway Lawn Care Service to get rid of those pesky weeds in your lawn once and for all.
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Conway Lawn Care Service
Conway, SC 29526
843-353-2259
http://conwaylawncareservices.com/
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