Things to Consider When Using a Natural Weed Killer

Everybody looks forward to spring’s arrival. The grass is growing green again, the animals are back, and the sun is shining. However, this also means that weeds are coming back to ruin your landscaping. 

Crabgrass and dandelions are some of the most popular weeds. If you ignore them, they will spread quickly and damage the look of your landscape. Aside from ruining the appearance, some weeds can be noxious as well.  

Since more and more homeowners are becoming aware of the negative effects of chemical weed killers, most of them are looking for an environmentally-friendly alternative.  

Today, we’re going to share with you some of the things you should consider before using a natural weed killer for your landscaping Hitchin. 

Stopping the weeds from growing should be the first thing you need to do. There are a couple of eco-friendly pre-emergent herbicides out there. Usually, they contain ingredients such as canola oil or corn gluten. Keep in mind that they don’t work on fully grown weeds.  

When choosing a natural weed preventer, here are some things to consider: 

Is It Selective? 

Figure out if the weed preventer is non-selective or selective. It will only target particular weeds if you use a selective treatment. It won’t affect other plants or weeds. On the other hand, it will affect every plant life around it if you use a non-selective treatment.  

When to Apply  

You need to apply weed preventers in early spring for weeds such as purslane and crabgrass. However, you need to apply it in the summer if you want to get rid of dandelions.  

What Form of Weeds Are You Preventing? 

Read the label on the weed preventer. This will help you guarantee it kills the particular weeds you’re trying to prevent and is safe for use with the kind of lawn you’ve got.  

You can also try utilizing post-emergent weed killers if you did not manage to kill the weeds before they grow.  

Here are several things to consider when looking for weed killers: 

Can You Safely Use It? 

Check the label on the product. This will help you ensure that it gets rid of the particular weeds you’re targeting and is safe for use with the form of lawn you’ve got.  

What Kind of Formula Do You Need? 

Contact formulas only kill the plant’s exposed part. They’re more helpful for smaller or annual weeds. On the other hand, systemic formulas are directly absorbed into the plant. They’re ideal for perennial weeds.  

In addition to that, you can also create your own weed killer. All you need is dish soap, salt, and vinegar. Though the ingredients are natural and can be found in most kitchens, this DIY weed killer can be extremely potent. That is why you should be careful when using it to avoid killing your plants. Make sure you directly aim at the weed. Also, you should know that too much vinegar can cause issues with your soil’s pH levels and too much salt can cause the soil to be toxic for your plants.