If you want to curb the growth of a handful of stubborn weeds, here are some homemade solutions that can help you solve your problem.
A simple and free solution? Boiling water. Pouring it over a weed patch should help loosen the plants; Just be sure to do it slowly, carefully and as close to the weed as possible to avoid burns.
However, keep in mind that this will not suffocate the weeds at the root, but will knock them out temporarily. Other ingredients that can help rid your lawn of weeds include lemon juice and vinegar, similarly applied to the boiling water technique; however, one of these methods is recommended to be used with as much care as any weed killer, treating the weed as close to the plant as possible, otherwise you could also kill the surrounding grass.
Opt for organic herbicides
If you plan to spray in the spring to control your weeds, Giard recommends choosing the ones with iron as the main ingredient. “Iron can act as a natural weed killer because it sucks out weeds by overfeeding it,” he said. In particular, Giard recommends including Fiesta, a selective weedkiller that targets certain weeds in your lawn, such as dandelions, backyard grasses and weeds, without damaging the surrounding grass. It also comes without any unpleasant odor and is safe to use around pets. For non-selective or broad spectrum herbicides, or solutions that act on broadleaf weeds and grasses, Mr. Giard suggests using the Burnout options (which uses citric acid as the active ingredient) and Avenger (which uses citrus oil). “These use acidity to kill plants in the same way as the vinegar technique,” he says. Both products are also non-toxic and made in the United States.
Catch weeds before they start
It is useful to remember these two rules to prevent the germination of these plants: keep your soil healthy and avoid cutting your lawn too much. “If you have healthy soil and roots, you will help prevent weeds before they go wild,” he notes. One of the ways you can make sure your soil stays in top condition is using organic fertilizers. “Second, mow higher. The shorter your grass, the easier it is for weeds to get through the soil. Taller, thicker grass can also help suffocate weeds. Even a subtle mowing change to three inches instead of two and a half can make a difference.
