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Garden weeds are defined as undesirable plants and they should be removed from the garden and never allowed to seed. Garden and grass weeds end up competing with plants for water and nutrients to the disadvantage of cultivated plants. This can also cause shading and reduce air circulation, which can lead to high humidity and an increase in disease problems. Garden weeds can also be the host to many pest and diseases however not showing any evidence of this. Weed killing is therefore very important as it ensures the long term health of your garden. By controlling and getting rid of weeds, you can avoid gardening problems. However, when getting rid of weeds, always remember not to damage the roots and stems of desirable plants.

Getting Rid of Weeds

Garden weeds cannot be eliminated entirely, but can be controlled. Even grass weeds that are difficult to eradicate can be conquered if you persist. Annual weeds will die in numbers if you continue the weed killing process by doing away with the seedlings before they flower and shed more seeds. When the population of weeds have been reduced, to keep controlling weeds mulching and prompt removal of garden weed seedlings that do appear will keep the garden almost weed free. Controlling and getting rid of weeds is a long battle, which will last a couple of season rather than a few weeks if the garden has been neglected.

How To Get Rid Of Weeds Without Chemicals

While garden weeds are annoying and harmful, it is even more harmful to use chemicals for weed gardening. So how to get rid of weeds without chemicals in a non toxic way?

• Most seeds reproduce by means of corns and bulblets, which remain on the soil even after the main plant has been removed and this makes weed gardening and weed killing an ongoing task.
• Pulling out weeds by hand is one of the best ways of controlling weeds. This can however be a very long process of getting rid of garden and grass weeds. Even then you may never completely be able to eradicate the garden weeds.
• Try and remove all types of garden weeds while they are still young, well before they have started to set seed and you will cut down on time spent weed killing.
• A garden that is well mulched is very good in keeping down garden weed growth. Different types of mulches can be used such as, organic mulch such as compost, pine bark chips or peats. Non- organic mulches, such as black plastic placed between vegetables or stones can be very effective.
• It is said that pouring boiling water on garden weeds is a good way of controlling weeds as it will kill the weeds as well as the seeds. Just be careful not to get any on you, or on the plants that you want to keep.
• Undiluted vinegar is another good choice for killing weeds. Put it in a spray bottle and use on weeds, being careful not to get any spray on your plants as it can also kill them.
• If you are the type of person that makes your own compost, never add old garden weeds with seed heads to the heap. These seeds may not be dead and will germinate again in your garden. Commercial compost is fairly weed free. When compost is mixed with farm manure it can be full of garden and grass weeds. This can add weeds that you did not have to your garden. It is for this reason that weed free, sterilized compost is the best bet if you are having problems controlling weeds.

Weed Gardening – Applying Weedkillers

If weed killing without chemicals is not quite working out, you might have nothing left to do but apply weedkillers for weed gardening and kill those garden weeds.When using weedkiller for controlling weeds however, it should be done with great care.

• Make sure you have the correct type of weedkiller needed for controlling weeds in your garden.
• Decide whether you want to use a sprayer or spot-treat the garden weeds with a paintbrush or special applicator. Remember to only use the sprayer on windless days, if not the spray can find itself on other plants and damage them. Spot treating can be extremely time consuming if you have a number of garden weeds. Spot treating however is the safer weed killing option.
• Keep children and pets off the lawn for a couple of days or longer after using the chemicals for getting rid of weeds.
• When using a systemic herbicide for controlling weeds, the weeds are not killed off immediately; it can take a week or more to wither. Always use a separate sprayer for herbicides. If the sprayer is used for feeding or applying pesticides, the herbicide residue can damage garden plants. This can happen even though you have washed the sprayer thoroughly.

Weed killing and controlling weeds can be a painful and backbreaking task but if you really want your garden to remain healthy, it is important that you keep at it and do your best at getting rid of weeds.

References:

1. Controlling weeds in your lawn and garden – The Garden Helper
2. Control Weeds in the Garden and Landscape – Purdue University Consumer Horticulture