Weeds can appear almost overnight to invade and spread on borders and veggie plots in a bid to take over, sapping the nutrients from the soil.
Weeds
However, there are some organic methods to help zap these unwanted invaders from the garden and restore order without using commercial weed killers.
Here are a few tips on how to get rid of weeds and stop them spreading:
Weed Killers
1) The obvious solution is the traditional natural method of digging the weeds up by hand which, when done thoroughly, works wonders! Using a garden fork or trowel, gently lever the weeds out of the soil, making sure to remove all of the root system to avoid any re growth.
2) A layer of mulch over bare soil is one of the easiest ways to suppress weeds and will also release essential nutrients back into the soil, helping plants to thrive. Use organic compost, bark clippings, leaf mould, well-rotted manure or straw.
3) Boiling water poured on the base of weeds appearing on pathways, between pavers and on drives will instantly kill weeds along with any dormant seeds, within a couple of days. However, don’t use this method on flower borders or veggie plots as this will kill other plants growing nearby.
4) If you like vinegar on your chips try using it in the garden to effectively destroy weeds, as the active ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid. Again, this method should not be used around flower borders or edible plants, but it works well on hard surfaces, between gaps.
5) Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), sprinkled on gaps between pavers, pathways and on patios will stop any weeds appearing. If you want to target a specific weed away from flowering plants try wetting the weeds first, then carefully sprinkle a teaspoon of bicarbonate over the weed’s leaves and leave it to work it’s magic!