While there are many benefits of having a big, beautiful yard, one of the drawbacks is weeds. No matter where you live, you're likely to run into the pesky plants during warm spring and summer months.
While having some weeds is usually not harmful to your yard, they aren't aesthetically appealing, either. To keep your home's outdoor areas looking their best, it's important to get rid of the weeds as soon as possible, before they overtake your grass.
You could attack the unwelcome yard visitors quickly with a few applications of a commercial weed killer, but convenience comes with a price: the sprays are filled with toxic ingredients, including glyphosate and a host of other chemicals you may not be able to pronounce. Not only are these toxins potentially harmful to humans, but they aren't good for pets or wildlife, either, so you may want to try some natural remedies first. Following is a list of environmentally friendly weed-killing options.
1. Pull Them
The first thing you can do is pull the weeds up so that you have less to try to kill. This technique works especially well if you're weeding a small area, such as a flower garden. Yanking the weeds out will be easier if the dirt is wet, such as after it rains. You can also use a hose to moisten the ground. Slide a pointed shovel under the weed's root and pull it up and out.
2. Pour Vinegar on Them
Another easy way to remove the weeds, especially ones with elongated taproots such as dandelions, is with everyday distilled white vinegar. Again, this method will work best on a small area rather than an entire yard. Simply pour the vinegar directly over the plants, and they will most likely be dead within a day or two. Repeat the process as needed to keep weeds under control.
3. Burn Them
Setting the weeds on fire with a flame-weeder tool is a good technique to use for both small and large areas. The tool allows you to apply direct heat to one or two weeds at a time, so you don't risk starting a bonfire. Make sure that your yard isn't too dry, such as during a drought, as these conditions may cause fire to spread too rapidly.
4. Douse Them with Salt
Because table salt can harm good foliage and grass along with weeds, it's important to apply it to just the unwanted plants. Pour 1 cup of salt into 8 cups of boiling water and pour the mixture directly over the weeds you want to kill.
For more weed-control options, visit sites such as http://snydersweedcontrol.com/.
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