Weeds can spoil the look of a flowerbed, rob valuable
nutrients from the soil and can be a general nuisance.
If you don't keep up with them, they can be even
more troublesome to get rid of. While they can be
difficult to get under control, don't lose hope,
it just takes a little persistence
and know how.
Here are some organic methods for controlling weeds:
Use of a stirrup hoe: The best method I have
found for controlling weeds works best in a vegetable
garden planted in rows and on young weed seedlings.
You use a stirrup hoe to cultivate the ground at least
once a week. This hoe is like a regular hoe, but instead
of the flat surface, there is a round or squared off
metal hoop at the end. The side closest to you has
a sharp edge, which cuts the weeds roots as you are
hoeing through the soil. It doesn't take much time
to go out and work your hoe down each row and by doing
this, no weeds can grow because seedlings are uprooted
or cut off before they have a chance. You will have
to weed by hand up close and in between garden plants
because the stirrup hoe can uproot or damage them
if worked too close.
Use
of a pitchfork: By using a pitchfork in a new
and/or large bed with little or no existing plants,
you will be able to get most of the roots of long
rooted weeds. It also enables you to cover a large
area faster. To use a pitchfork for weed control,
push it under a group of weeds and lift them. Shake
the soil off the weeds and dispose of them in the
compost pile.
Vinegar or boiling water: If you spot a weed
growing in the sidewalk cracks of your sidewalk or
in your driveway, try pouring boiling water or vinegar
over them. Don't do this in your flowerbeds because
it could also kill neighboring plants.
Mulch: Use lots of mulch. As long as mulch
is applied thick enough to keep sunlight from reaching
the soil, it will keep new weeds from sprouting. You
can use grass clippings, shredded and chipped branches,
beauty bark, hay, leaves or compost.
Hand picking: Take a walk through the yard
equipped with a bucket and gloves as often as possible
and hand pick weeds. Try to pick them before they
flower to prevent them from going to seed and seeding
themselves all over the yard. Also, be sure to get
all the roots; if you don't, the weed will more than
likely be back in a couple of weeks.
I hope this guide can help you in controlling your
weeds. The key to getting and staying weed free is
persistence. You have to stay on top of it by checking
your gardens regularly and maintaining what needs
to be done.
About the
Author Get Monica's FREE e-zine for homemakers
3 times per week; just send a blank e-mail to:
HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Get
FREE home and garden e-books at Monica's website,
'Homemaker's Journal E-publications'; Click here:
http://homemakersjournal.com
by
Monica Resinger