Getting rid of weeds is an ongoing struggle many a gardener will know. The worst garden weeds can swiftly take over your garden in the spring and summer seasons if you’re not careful. Weeds start off earlier than our more favoured plants. For example, dandelions tend to pop up early and provide one of the first forms of nourishment for bees. So whilst you may choose to leave them for a little while until other flowers have grown, eventually, it is likely that you will need to figure out a way to get rid of all your weeds. If you have Japanese Knotweed growing we have written a dedicated article for this here.
Getting rid of weeds: the non-chemical way
Burning
Getting rid of weeds is an ongoing struggle many a gardener will know. The worst garden weeds can swiftly take over your garden in the spring and summer seasons if you’re not careful. Weeds start off earlier than our more favoured plants. For example, dandelions tend to pop up early and provide one of the first forms of nourishment for bees. So whilst you may choose to leave them for a little while until other flowers have grown, eventually, it is likely that you will need to figure out a way to get rid of all your weeds. If you have Japanese Knotweed growing we have written a dedicated article for this here.
Jet washing
If you’ve ever jet-washed a patio, or perhaps a driveway full of weeds growing in between blocks you will know how satisfying it is. Power washers are surprisingly good at blasting away pesky weeds that are difficult to pull up by hand. The downside of jet washers is that they can be quite expensive for a good model and you may not feel it is worth purchasing one unless you have other uses for it. You will also need good drainage in the area you plan to use it, as water can quickly puddle. If this sounds feasible, using a power washer in getting rid of weeds is entirely feasible.
Using a Hoe
For those who prefer to keep it simple, there is the hoe method. This is probably the most eco-friendly method you can choose in getting rid of weeds. You will need to do this early in the season when weeds are young, so timing is important here. Hoeing slices the top away from young weeds with the idea that the sun then dries out the roots and kills the plant. This method will unfortunately not work for perennial weeds which would need to be eradicated another way. If you want to be extra mindful, spraying a weedkiller into the roots after hoeing is a better way to kill the plant and stop it from growing back.
Pulling up by Hand
Some weeds are just very stubborn and need to be yanked out by the root. Loosen up the soil around the weed with your hands or a garden spade. Then grip the weed as far down as you can to gently pull and tease it out of the soil. Be sure to dispose of the weed in your garden waste bin and don’t leave it on the side whilst you continue as it may have seeds that will spread and grow even more weeds.
Getting rid of weeds: using chemicals
Weedkiller
Getting rid of weeds with a weedkiller is many people’s go-to method and for good reason. There is a variety of choices on the market, and they can be quite effective if used correctly. Many claim to be pet-safe when dry. It is prudent to wear gloves and shoes that cover all your feet when using weedkiller, especially on a breezy day. If any of the solution gets on your skin, you will want to wash it off straight away. Whilst not extremely hazardous to the skin, gardeners with sensitive skin may experience a reaction to the chemicals contained in weedkillers. It’s best to cover up just in case. If you choose to opt for a chemical weedkiller, do bear in mind that you may have to give weeds multiple doses and be mindful of rain washing off the weedkiller.
Homemade solution
You can make your own homemade weedkiller by mixing white vinegar, salt, and washing-up liquid. The salt and vinegar dry out the plant and the washing up liquid acts as a glue, sticking the salt and vinegar to the leaves of the weed.
Ingredients
1 litre white vinegar
3 large tablespoons of salt
3 teaspoons of washing up liquid
A spray bottle to put your homemade weedkiller in
Method
Add the salt and vinegar together until the salt has dissolved
Add in your washing-up liquid and pour into your spray bottle.
Simply spray generously onto the leaves of your weeds, and repeat as necessary.
Getting rid of weeds can certainly be a challenge. Half the battle is finding a method that works best for you and the weeds you are trying to eliminate.
Good luck!
