How to get rid of weeds in the garden

Weeds are plants that can destroy crops of cultivated plants, competing for water, nutrients and light. The garden needs care all year round, and the elimination of weeds is necessary in order for it to be beautiful. Despite the constant weeding, even the most well-groomed land plots are not immune from the attack of weeds. In gardens and vegetable gardens, they sow seeds wherever possible. Their destruction is important not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also for the health of useful plants. Damage from all kinds of weeds can be irreversible.

 

Why get rid of weeds in the garden

How to get rid of weeds?  This is one of the most common threats that must be dealt with. Getting rid of weeds is important because they take away water and nutrients from the soil from the crops. They develop rapidly and tend to drown out small seedlings, taking away the space they need to grow, as they grow faster than cultivated plants and successfully compete for water, sunlight and space. If they are not properly eliminated, they can cause irreparable damage to both the vegetable garden and the flowers in the garden, reduce crop yields by 40-50%.

Weeds in the garden

Weed seeds can remain dormant for a very long time. Every square centimeter of garden soil contains seeds, and those in the upper layers receive enough light and are ready to germinate. Getting rid of unwanted plants sprouting in the garden and vegetable garden will prevent them from taking vital nutrients from the soil.

Pay attention! It is very important not to allow malicious weeds to young seedlings. It is necessary to ensure that the crops are free of them during the first four weeks of their life.

Mechanical weed control in the garden

Weeding is one of the reliable, natural methods. During the season, they are manually pulled out, and nothing compares to a garden hoe with a long handle.

Weeding

Annual weeds reproduce only by seeds and cannot multiply vegetatively. Many common weeds grow from any roots left in the ground. If the weeds in the garden grow again, then there is a persistent root that needs to be dug out. Use a shovel or pitchfork for digging, remove as many parts of the root as possible. Carefully remove them from the soil, trying to remove the entire root system to prevent their rapid regrowth.

Once a week, even if there are few weeds, you can quickly walk on the surface and keep the soil clean. Over time, there will be no weeds left. The main thing is to cut off the tops before they bloom, preventing them from tying seeds.

Additional information! Weeds slip out of the soil more easily when the soil is moist and the weeds are young. You can let the weeds just dry out in the sun during the day, and then transfer them to a compost heap. This is especially useful at the beginning of the season.

Some types of weeds grow well on compacted soil. Useful plants do not get the air, water and nutrients they need, and weeds begin to capture them.

Weeds will not be able to gain a foothold in the garden when creating a dense green zone. They will have less light and free space, and therefore they will not grow. In warm weather, you need to start growing plants as soon as possible so that the soil does not remain bare for too long. This will reduce the growth of weeds. If the soil is rich and well drained, plants are planted closer to each other. In decorative beds, groundcover and perennial plants will cover and shade the soil.

At the end of the season, after the harvest is harvested, it is possible to plant sideral crops, followed by embedding them in the soil to improve its structure, enrich it with nitrogen and inhibit the growth of weeds. Cover crops such as wheat, clover and barley will prevent weed growth and soil erosion.

Using mulch from weeds

Mulch is an excellent weed killer. A thick layer of mulch carefully covers the soil and suppresses the growth of weeds, depriving weed seeds of the light they need for germination.

Biodegradable mulches such as garden compost, wood shavings, deciduous humus, straw and rotted manure inhibit weed growth and also release essential nutrients back into the soil as it decomposes over time, helping beneficial plants thrive.

Mulch against weeds

This coating blocks weed seeds from sunlight, suppresses the growth under them, so they do not germinate, and retains moisture. Mulch also provides essential nutrients to cultivated plants, keeping the soil cool and moist, and depriving weeds of light. It is important to replenish the mulch as needed, maintaining its layer of about 10cm.

In addition to organic mulch, there is also inorganic: black plastic, fabric for landscaping.

Pay attention! In any case, you can get rid of weeds by covering the surface of the soil with a light-proof sheet of cardboard, newspaper or biodegradable cloth, and then spread a more beautiful mulch on it.

Natural methods of weed control

Although manual digging and loosening are the most effective methods of weed removal, it may be tempting to use a small amount of herbicides. Some people turn to dangerous methods of control, but many weeds are resistant to herbicides.

There are several important reasons why they should be avoided: to keep people, pets, wildlife and waterways safe. Chemicals are toxic to many beneficial microorganisms, including earthworms.

For those who prefer not to use industrial herbicides for weed control, there are several natural methods. Natural remedies such as white vinegar, lemon juice, salt are less harmful to the environment than chemicals. Liquid dishwashing detergent and salt will be able to get rid of problems with weeds.

Weed control by natural method

Unwanted plants can grow on the driveway, between the tiles of the terrace and in the garden. To remove weeds from sidewalks and gravel, you can use a homemade herbicide made of coarse salt, if there are no other plants in the immediate vicinity. Coarse salt can only be used with weeds that grow between the tiles of the terrace or in gravel. Salt, in fact, kills all kinds of vegetables and cannot be used directly in the garden.

White vinegar will be extremely good against weeds. It is sprayed directly on the plants to be destroyed. The weeds will disappear in a short time.

Substances containing alcohol will work as a natural herbicide. If you need a more effective mixture, you can mix them with hot water and with dishwashing detergent.

Baking soda is especially effective against weeds that grow in the cracks between the tiles of courtyards and gardens. Just pour soda directly on the weeds. Citric acid is also a very effective weed killer.

Getting rid of weeds

Using boiling water to kill weeds is another inexpensive and easy way to deal with them. They heat water in a kettle and then pour it on weeds. Boiling water works well, but it kills a lot of useful soil organisms. This works better on a small area.

Use of weeds in the household

Grass weed helps to take care of the garden plot. Plucked or mown weeds without mature seeds can be used:

  • for mulching in vegetable plantations;
  • as biomass in compost;
  • embedded in the soil as siderates;
  • used for the preparation of fertilizers.

Weeds have many positive aspects if they are grown in a controlled manner. They can serve as a living mulch to protect the soil of the garden. Their roots help prevent erosion caused by wind and rain. When weeds die off and get into the ground, they return nutrients back to the topsoil. Weeds can be used to determine the type of soil and the content of minerals in it.