Gardeners are plagued by weeds. They can grow quickly, eating away healthy plants and vegetables, starving them of sunlight, water, and nutrients. There are many weed-killing methods that can be used to get rid of unwanted plants. The entire range of products that garden centers carry can be used to control leafy invaders and stop a garden from thriving are all available in large quantities. It is easy to grab a product and go after the weeds. Take a moment to think about your enemy and what the best product is for the job. Before you reach for the spray bottle, here are five essential weed killer tips.
- Start with Prevention
Before the invaders can take root, the weed war starts. You want your garden to be a haven for the plants you love and discourage weeds. All of this is grounded in good plant care. This means that you need to grow plants that are suited to your microclimates (shade-lovers in shade, sun-lovers in sun), and provide adequate moisture and mulch. Plants thrive when they are healthy. Healthy plants will cover open soil and prevent weeds from growing.
Vigilance is key. Once a week, walk around your property and pull small weeds out before they can establish themselves. Tip: When roots are more visible, it is best to pull weeds after a light rainfall.
- Know your Enemy and Your Surroundings
Name the weed first to identify a product or practice that will kill the trespasser. What kind of weed are they fighting? Find out how to identify weeds in your garden.
There are specific weed killing products. One product might kill one weed, but not another. You should also take a look at the plants that are growing near you. Weed killers should not be used near plants that are intended to be eaten. Some weed killers such as weed and feed can drift into the wind and cause damage to nearby plants that are germinating.
- Take into account the impact
The impact of a herbicide or weed control product can often go beyond the specific weed that you want to eliminate. The chemicals called herbicides or weed control products can cause plants to cease functioning properly. It is possible for the product to have similar effects on non-weed plants as well as animals. The environment can have different sensitivities, so it is important to use weed products with care.
- Follow the Label (It is the Law)
The product labels contain important information about how to safely use and handle weed products. Based on scientific data about the potential environmental and health effects, the Environmental Protection Agency reviews the content of labels. Pesticide labels are legal and enforceable, which is a distinction from other product labels. All of them include the statement “It is against the Federal law to use the product in a way that is inconsistent with its labeling.” The law is what the label says. You must not use the product in any other manner than the one described on the label.
- Keep an eye out for organic and natural herbicides
Many people believe that an herbicide labeled organic or natural means it is safer than synthetic products. This is due to the speed at which organic weed killers are broken down in the environment. Inorganic herbicides can stay in soil for a longer time or in plants. Some organic herbicides can pose a serious risk to animals and plants nearby. Digging out weeds by their roots is the most eco-friendly method to eliminate them. If that’s not possible, choose a product that has minimal impact on the environment.