Weeds are a nasty little problem that many people have to battle every single year. They come from the ground, thrive in damp environments, and can be difficult to get rid of without professional help.
So how can you kill these stubborn uninvited guests for good?
That’s what this blog post will explain. Plus, we will also discuss in-depth what weeds are, why they keep growing back, and what you should do if you’re struggling with an infestation of these pesky plants!
Understanding Weeds and Their Growth
What Are Weeds?
In simple terms, a weed is any wild plant that grows in a garden, lawn or any other environment where it’s not wanted.
Weeds typically survive best in areas with moist soil and lots of sunlight, such as garden beds or lawns. They will easily overpower other types of plants with lower light requirements, like grasses for instance. Weeds sprout from seeds, which are easily brought in by birds, humans, or other animals.
Once they get started, weeds can quickly spread and take over entire lawns! Once established, many forms of weed also produce dozens of seeds that will happily germinate when the conditions are right. This results in what is known as an infestation.
Why Do Weeds Keep Coming Back?
Why do weeds keep coming back even after you attempt to get rid of them? The answer is one word: seeds!
Although it might seem like pulling weeds should be enough to get rid of them, they often grow back because they leave behind countless seeds in your soil. These seeds easily germinate if the conditions are right.
Killing the Weed in Your Yard
What Kills Weed Permanently?
There are several ways to kill weeds permanently.
The right method will depend on what you’re dealing with and what your specific needs are. For instance, if your weed problem is minimal or well-contained in a small area of your yard, it’s best to use one of the following methods:
- Pulling the big ones by hand.
- Using a weed killer with glyphosate is effective and won’t leave any harmful chemicals in your soil.
- Pouring boiling water on them will also do the trick!
On the other hand, if there are several weeds that have spread into an entire lawn or bed of flowers, it might be best to use a more powerful option such as:
- Using weed killer with sodium bicarbonate and vinegar.
- Mowing your lawn regularly. This will prevent weeds from growing in the first place! Just keep it short so that you do not damage what’s underneath, which would just lead to an infestation of new weeds.
So as you can see, the right method varies depending on the situation.
What Is the Best and Safest Weed Killer?
As we just mentioned, there are dozens of weed killers on the market.
So you may be wondering, “That’s great. But what is the best and safest option?”
According to experts, it’s a mixture of vinegar and sodium bicarbonate. This solution will not only kill what you want dead but also enrich your soil in the process. So it’s a double win for you!
How to Kill Weeds On Hard Surfaces?
To get rid of weeds on hard surfaces, such as your driveway or sidewalk, it’s best to use one of the following methods:
- Using herbicide with glyphosate.
- Spraying them with boiling water.
- Cutting off what you can and removing what remains by hand if possible before they spread.
How to Kill Weeds On Your Wall?
To kill weeds on your wall, you’ll need to take a different approach depending on what type of wall you have.
If it’s brick, for instance, the best option is to use sodium bicarbonate directly onto the weed. Just make sure not to get any on your flowers if they are close by! On the other hand, if it’s a wooden wall, it’s best to remove what you can by hand and then spray the weed with boiling water until they are dead.
However, if your wooden wall is painted, then spraying them directly would be a big no-no. You’ll need to remove what you can by hand and use sodium bicarbonate on what remains.
Does Bleach Kill Weed Permanently?
Yes, bleach will kill what you want dead in a matter of minutes. The trick is to use it in pure form and not diluted with water! However, be aware that this method may also destroy your plants if they’re too close at hand when you start spraying!.
Also, keep in mind that bleach won’t enrich the soil like sodium bicarbonate will — so what remains might come back with a vengeance!
Does Vinegar Kill Weed Permanently?
Yes, vinegar can kill weeds in a matter of minutes. You can pluck out the big weeds by hand use vinegar to kill the remaining ones. Just like bleach, vinegar can also destroy your plants if they’re too close at hand when you start spraying.
Stopping the Growth of Weed in Your Yard
Can I Prevent Weeds?
Yes, and while we’re on the subject, prevention is actually your best course of action. While there are several ways to kill weeds, all of them require some hard work. If you take the right precautionary measures, you can avoid weeds altogether!
How Can I Prevent Weeds?
As we just mentioned, prevention is always the best course of action. It will save you a lot of time and work down the road!
So how can you prevent weeds from growing in your garden? There are dozens of steps you can take, among which the most effective are the following six:
- Check your garden, lawn, or other green space for weeds before planting new plants.
- Avoid planting flowers in the same place each season so that they do not form a pattern with one another over time. This will reduce weed growth when compared to an area where only one type of flower is planted year-round.
- Remove weeds by hand or with specialized weed killer when they are small, right before they flower. Also, avoid pulling up weeds by the roots without wearing gloves. Doing so will leave their seeds behind in the soil, which can quickly lead to an infestation.
- Let the soil rest for 7 days before replanting what you’ve pulled up.
- Water your garden bed regularly and make sure to use a water hose instead of a sprinkler system if possible.
- Rotate what you plant every year to avoid the appearance of monoculture in your garden, lawn, or yard.
Final Thoughts
As with everything, prevention should be your first course of action.
However, if weeds are already grown in your lawn, then the best way to get rid of them for good is by using a mixture of one part baking soda and two parts vinegar.
So what’s stopping you from trying this simple and effective solution? Try it today to finally get rid of those pesky weeds that have been ruining your garden once and for all!
