Spring is the season of rebirth and regrowth. Shoots come bursting out of the soil, flowers start to bloom, and life seems to have a new lease. Weeds also thrive and flourish in this season, and we need to snuff them out before they take over our yards. You can do your part to suppress weeds and have a success story to relate to your Seattle Lawn Mowing Services when they come around to the park on their spring cleanup.
1. Blanket layers of cardboard paper and newspapers
Plants will grow when they have sunshine and water. Cut off this supply, and you strangle the weeds. Use the black and white pages and avoid the color pages so that you don’t seep chemicals from the ink into your soil. Layer seven sheets of newspaper and wet it down thoroughly to anchor it in place. Cover the newspaper blanket with mulch and form another blanket layer of paper and mulch.
The paper blankets will breakdown to their carbon nature and enrich your soil while inhibiting weed growth. If you do see some weeds growing in the mulch, keep repeating the paper blanket process until there is no sign of the pesky plants.
2. Spray concentrated vinegar directly on weeds
Vinegar has acetic acid which acts as a drying agent when it comes into contact with plant leaves. When you spray vinegar on young plants, the vinegar is more effective because the roots are immature and weak.
Make sure that the vegetables and plants have secure covering so that they don’t get a splash from the vinegar. Take precautions to form break winds that may blow in the direction of your vegetable and flowers.
3. Use your trusty assistant, liquid detergent soap
Soap is an excellent aid in gardening and weed removals. It compromises the surfaces of hairy and waxy weeds, allowing the acetic acid of the vinegar adhere itself to the leaves. A few drops of liquid soap in your vinegar spray will boost the killing effect of the solution.
4. Spread some corn gluten meal around your plants
This is a by-product of corn starch and corn syrup and is a competent pre-emergent technique for controlling weeds. It thwarts germination so it must be applied before the weeds start to germinate. Apply it around the plants and seedlings that have taken root in the soil so that the weeds do not have the opportunity to use up the nutrients that your plants require.
5. Scald the weeds with boiling water
Pouring water from a boiling kettle onto the weeds will burn them up. This method is especially useful on walkways and paved surfaces since the water gets into all the cracks and spaces quite quickly.
Final thoughts
These natural solutions are easy to use, even with your younger family members. Have them wear protective gear if they are sensitive to vinegar. Afterward, you can relax with a scoop of your favorite icecream as nature obstructs all the unruly weeds from emerging.