People who grow their own vegetables and flowers are well aware that a fertile plot will also attract weeds. They have successfully adapted to every corner of the world, as long as there are nutrients and water. Even though not welcome in most gardens, the well-known dangers of chemical pesticide use prompts many to wonder what to use to kill weeds in a way that is less harmful to other living things.
There is less social pressure today to grow and maintain an idealized lawn, but widespread use of chemical-based garden and lawn-care formulas is still a factor. Little debate exists regarding their efficiency and effectiveness, and they kill by using various biocides. While convenient, the primary problem is their link to serious health issues such as cancer, a common result of long-term exposure.
Because of widely-publicized information regarding toxicity, interest in less damaging methods of control has increased. Professional landscapers already realize that planting vegetation that grows naturally in local ecosystems is not only easier to maintain, but also attracts fewer pests. Unwanted growth that does spring up can be kept under control more easily without using herbicides.
The safest way of eliminating weeds is not only old-fashioned, but manual. While it is true that using commercially prepared herbicides can save considerable time spent weeding by hand, the main issue is the collateral damage that can occur to other living things. Herbicides that are sprayed may be difficult to control or limit. Individually culling weeds may be tedious, but it does not endanger pets.
Many seasonal gardeners seek a faster method of control. The use of boiling water causes no environmental damage, but should not be a responsibility given to most children. Dousing a plant in scalding water kills it instantly, and in some cases penetrates to root systems. Areas infested with unwanted growth show signs of clearing within hours, not days.
Adding vinegar to the water augments the solution by increasing the amount of acetic acid, a natural herbicide. The greatest amounts are found in common pickling vinegar, an inexpensive substance that works best when added to water in equal amounts. There is little danger of residual toxins affecting children or pets, but not all hardy weed species succumb to it easily.
If an area is being cleared for construction of a new patio or outbuilding, the addition of salt works well. Salt kills plants quickly, but does stay in the soil for years, changing the chemistry permanently. In areas designated for new sod, that problem can be reduced by adding salt to the mixture of vinegar and boiling water, and then administering it by hand. This method is ideal for eliminating new sprouts.
Borax can be sprinkled in powder form, destroying hardy growth before the roots can become established. Vodka may be helpful when added to the water and vinegar mixture, because it causes dehydration and ultimately death. Commercial weedkillers are currently being marketed that claim to be organically produced, but using them is a choice that should be carefully considered.
There is less social pressure today to grow and maintain an idealized lawn, but widespread use of chemical-based garden and lawn-care formulas is still a factor. Little debate exists regarding their efficiency and effectiveness, and they kill by using various biocides. While convenient, the primary problem is their link to serious health issues such as cancer, a common result of long-term exposure.
Because of widely-publicized information regarding toxicity, interest in less damaging methods of control has increased. Professional landscapers already realize that planting vegetation that grows naturally in local ecosystems is not only easier to maintain, but also attracts fewer pests. Unwanted growth that does spring up can be kept under control more easily without using herbicides.
The safest way of eliminating weeds is not only old-fashioned, but manual. While it is true that using commercially prepared herbicides can save considerable time spent weeding by hand, the main issue is the collateral damage that can occur to other living things. Herbicides that are sprayed may be difficult to control or limit. Individually culling weeds may be tedious, but it does not endanger pets.
Many seasonal gardeners seek a faster method of control. The use of boiling water causes no environmental damage, but should not be a responsibility given to most children. Dousing a plant in scalding water kills it instantly, and in some cases penetrates to root systems. Areas infested with unwanted growth show signs of clearing within hours, not days.
Adding vinegar to the water augments the solution by increasing the amount of acetic acid, a natural herbicide. The greatest amounts are found in common pickling vinegar, an inexpensive substance that works best when added to water in equal amounts. There is little danger of residual toxins affecting children or pets, but not all hardy weed species succumb to it easily.
If an area is being cleared for construction of a new patio or outbuilding, the addition of salt works well. Salt kills plants quickly, but does stay in the soil for years, changing the chemistry permanently. In areas designated for new sod, that problem can be reduced by adding salt to the mixture of vinegar and boiling water, and then administering it by hand. This method is ideal for eliminating new sprouts.
Borax can be sprinkled in powder form, destroying hardy growth before the roots can become established. Vodka may be helpful when added to the water and vinegar mixture, because it causes dehydration and ultimately death. Commercial weedkillers are currently being marketed that claim to be organically produced, but using them is a choice that should be carefully considered.
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