How to Kill Weeds

Name: What are some natural options for weed removal?
Uploaded: 2021-01-26T05:09:34Z
Description: In this video, expert Ben Barkan shares expert knowledge and answers the question What are some natural options for weed removal?

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No one enjoys looking into their garden or admiring their lawn and seeing weeds. They make the landscaping look overgrown and unkept, and people spend a lot of time eliminating them and trying to ensure they stay away. There are several different ways to get rid of the nuisance. Kill weeds by exercising preventative maintenance and using a chemical weed killer or natural repellents you can find around the house.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Weed Prevention and Maintenance

1
Determine the ideal height of your grass. All lawns have an ideal grass height that promotes healthy growth. Depending on climate and geography, your ideal grass height is between 1/4 inch (0.635 cm) and 3 inches (7.62 cm).
- Talk to a landscaping expert or a professional at your local home and garden retailer to get an understanding of the type of grass you have and how high it should grow.
- Keep grass a little bit longer when in doubt. This will provide shade to your lawn, depriving potential weeds of sunlight.
2
Mow your lawn as regularly as necessary to keep grass at its ideal height. This will eliminate weed heads before they are allowed to mature or germinate in your lawn.^{[1]XExpert SourceBen Barkan
Professional GardenerExpert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
- Use a weed whacker or a trimmer on the weeds that grow at the edge of your lawn every time you mow.
The cover will keep the ground cool and deprived of sunlight, discouraging the growth of new weeds.^{[2]XResearch source}^{[3]XExpert SourceBen Barkan
Professional GardenerExpert Interview. 14 April 2020.}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Chemical Herbicides

1
Identify and find herbicides for the weeds in your lawn. Select a broad leaf herbicide that matches your weeds. This type of herbicide is useful for eliminating clover, dandelions and ragweed. If the weed you want killed is not on the label, don't buy it.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Watch for child and pet warnings!
- READ and FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS on the container.
2
Apply the herbicide with whatever applicator it comes with. Products are frequently supplied with spray bottles so you can apply them directly to the weeds.
- Make sure it's not windy or you can end up killing plants you wanted or were going to eat.
^{[5]XResearch source}
4
Attach a sprayer to your garden hose if you have an entire lawn of weeds that are out of control or have not received any attention for a long time. This will allow you to efficiently apply a large amount of chemical weed killer to the whole lawn.
- Remove any toys, furniture, pets or clothing before you spray. The chemicals can be dangerous to people and animals.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Organic Weed Killers

1
Create a buffer between soil and your garden. This can be done with newspaper or an old shower curtain.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Lay the paper or curtain down on the grown and cover it with mulch, pebbles or dirt and plant your flowers. Weeds will be unable to take root or move past the buffer.
Corn gluten meal prevents germination of weed seeds but it will not bother your established plants. Best used in early spring.^{[7]XResearch source}
This is especially useful on weeds you notice in your driveway or walkway, because the water will have an easy time running off without bothering your plants or grass.
Do not do this too close to plants or flowers, or cover them up before you spray. Vinegar will kill good growth as well as weeds.^{[8]XResearch source}
(28.34 g) of vodka with 2 cups (473 ml) of water and add a drop of dish soap. Spray this mixture on the weeds and watch them dry up.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
What is considered a weed?
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
Expert Answer
A weed is very simply a plant that you do not want. Apple trees could be weeds if you don't want them there. Tomato plants could be considered weeds if you don't want them there. What one person considers a weed, someone else might not consider a weed.
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Question
How do you smother weeds to kill them?
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, is licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and is a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Ben Barkan
Garden & Landscape Designer
Expert Answer
One option is putting down cardboard so you're overlapping the layers of cardboard and then building up over them with compost. That will smother any weeds underneath.
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Question
What are common weeds in India?
Ninox
Top Answerer
Some of the most common weeds are: starbur, apamarga, mountain knotgrass, kapok bush, Blepharis, plumed cockscomb, centella and Hibiscus.
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Tips

The best time to weed is after a good rain.
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Pull out single weeds when you see them. They can be a nuisance, but it might be easier to just yank them out of the ground if they only show up here and there instead of dousing the entire lawn with chemicals or homemade creations.
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Herbicides are banned in some places. In some areas, you'll simply not be able to purchase anything. Hiring a lawn care company to do the job for you in these places works though.
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