Dandelions in the lawn or moss between the patio slabs, these weeds are considered undesirable and often grow where we don’t want them. To get rid of it, there are several natural solutions for this purpose. Chemical herbicides can be effective, but are still harmful to the environment. To weed between slabs and cobblestones, here is an infallible trick to achieve this that will delight gardeners.
It is pleasant to bask in a garden full of beautiful lush plants or a well-equipped and decorated terrace that makes you want to bask in the sun. Garden lovers have understood it: to be able to enjoy these exquisite moments, you have to take care of and maintain your garden. For this, in addition to having a green thumb, it is important to eliminate the weeds that invade the green space and give it a gray appearance so that the plants can grow and flourish properly.
Using what you have in your cupboards, you can make a natural weed killer that is free of chemicals found in chemical weed killers that are harmful to your health and healthy plants in the garden. Greener alternatives can therefore do the same job of weeding but in a healthier and more cost-effective way to take care of your vegetation.
A homemade preparation for weed control
It’s all about turning to simple, natural and affordable ingredients to keep weeds at bay. To make your own DIY herbicide soap, you’ll need:
- 3 liters of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
- 1 cup salt
Mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle and spray this product on the weeds every three days, preferably during the sunniest hours of the day to make them burn. With this natural treatment, you will also help repel mosquitoes, flies and other insects that are bothered by the pungent smell of vinegar.
You should also know that this homemade product will not be radical the first time against perennial weeds such as quack grass. Its effect will be felt over the days and will significantly reduce the growth of these plants. Without harming the environment, you will get rid of them little by little and you will no longer see how they invade your green space or damage your other plants and lawn.
You can replace the dishwashing liquid with 2 liters of water and add 3 liters of white vinegar and a kilo of salt. Proceed in the same way as in the previous method, always in hot and sunny weather.
More tips for natural weeding of garden and terrace
Coarse salt
Used alone, coarse salt can be of great help in controlling weeds , those weeds that invite themselves between the slabs of your patio. Simply sprinkle it on unwanted plants to get rid of them. Fine salt can also do the job of organic, efficient and economical weed control, bringing joy to a budding gardener. After a few days, these unwanted plants will be destroyed by desiccation. When the salt penetrates the soil, it sterilizes it and prevents plants from growing back . It is therefore important to use it only on the slabs and not on the green areas of the garden.
The vinegar
Used alone or in combination with other ingredients, vinegar is a perfect natural herbicide that contains acetic acid. It is recommended to use it only on slabs and pavements, as this natural and ecological product does not discriminate between weeds and other plants. Pour it into a spray bottle and you can simply spray it on unwanted plants, preferably when the sun’s rays kiss your garden. However, avoid rainy days, as the rain can wash away the vinegar before it has its incredible effect.
vodka
Vodka is also a great alternative for eliminating volunteer plants. Mix some vodka with a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and spray this preparation on the areas to be treated on sunny days. You will say goodbye to the bad plants that litter your flagstones and garden paths.
Meal with grains
This flour is considered a weed preventative and prevents seeds from germinating. Sprinkle it on the stone slabs overgrown with weeds; at the same time, it will prevent these bad plants from growing again in those places.
Backpulver
Like cornstarch, baking soda helps kill weeds. This white, biodegradable powder dissolves in cracks and works its magic on the soil. After a few days, those unwanted plants are just a bad memory.
The boiling water
Boiling water is considered to be an economical and ecological method to kill weeds. One hour after pouring it on the areas to be treated, they lose their vitality and dry out. This makes it easier to remove them the next day with a broom.
In addition, the vegetable cooking water also makes this particularly difficult task possible. Simply collect the filtered plant water and pour it over the weeds. The water from cooked pasta, like that of vegetables, also acts as a natural weed killer. By pouring this water on the gravel or patio slabs, you will say goodbye to all the harmful plants. Finally, another method is to use the cooking water of the potatoes , which acts in the same way and fights weeds.
The weed lamp
This method is considered practical and effective and is a thermal weed control that allows heating the water contained in the plant cells to burn and carbonize them. This technique also eliminates moss, insects and fungi. However, avoid using this thermal weeder on poison ivy or other poisonous plants due to the risk of inhaling the toxic oils that are released.
Die Zeitung
As unusual as it is, the diary method seems to be devilishly effective. Start by moistening the soil and then placing a thick layer of newspaper on top. Moisten it thoroughly as well before covering it with mulch. This trick is not only a great way to recycle, but it also helps smother weeds and prevent their regrowth. Mulch covering can also protect your plantations from weeds. Plastic is also another way to protect your vegetable garden from their proliferation.
Leaf cover
Weed-infested areas can be covered with mulch planting to prevent weeds from coming into contact with the soil. Another function of mulch is to prevent underground seeds from receiving sunlight and germinating.
Manual weeding
It is an old method of hoeing and removing weeds with your hands. Before proceeding with this typical garden uprooting method, you should wear special gloves for this purpose. To carry out this task according to the rules of the art, you can arm yourself with a claw or a sharp trowel to detach the weeds from their roots. This way you can be sure that they will not come back anytime soon. Also use the technique of mechanical herbicide , which allows you to free weeds from the roots without getting tired and without putting strain on your back.
Basil essential oil
It has the advantage of having a weed-killing and fungicidal property to eradicate weeds. Add a few drops of this essential oil to homemade herbicide soap and spray this solution on your garden path or patio. It is a foolproof treatment that will rid your outdoor area of these annoying plants on a daily basis.