Organic Weed Control
The first key thing to understand is that the health of the soil is the keypoint in creating a weedfree garden. A healthy soil creates a healthy plant and it is this plant that will resist weeds. For example, lawns that are weed infested are usually thin with not enough grass plants per square foot and not very well fed. Cutting the lawn too short allows weed seed to germinate. Feed the lawn properly, sow grass seed to thicken it up, cut the plants high enough to shade out the soil and your lawn will resist weeds all by itself with only a little assistance from you. So poor gardening practices create an opportunity for weeds to become established.
A weed is any plant growing in an area where it is not wanted
The following links provide information on identifying and controlling weeds in the home garden.
Physical Controls
hoes and other techniquesclear plastic
weed spud
Chemical Controls
Vinegar and Salt - this organic weed killer is being recommended by many writers now so I thought I'd do some trials. Here's are the results.
Corn gluten meal is an excellent organic weed control product. It is a by-product of corn milling that has pre-emergent as well as fertilizer value in the lawn and garden. Here's an evaluation of this product.
Weed Problems
Poison Ivy is a major problem for some gardeners.
Killing horsetail occupies some gardener's every waking thought.
Velvetleaf - is there anything good about this weed? How do I control it?
Questions and Answers
Help! My neighbor's snow on the mountain is attacking my yard.
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You may find yours already answered so do check out the lists below
What Other Visitors Have Asked About Weed Control
Click below to see questions from other visitors to this page...
How do I get rid of weeds in my vegetable garden
I have many more weeds than veggies, they have taken over.
Can I spray weed killer on them now and plant veggies in the spring?
Doug says that it depends ...
Wild Straberries Througout my Lawn I recently purchased a home, and this summer, I've come to find out that the "weeds" growing in my backyard lawn aren't weeds at all. They are wild strawberry ...
malva parviflora I have been told by local Master Gardeners in the Southern California region that this weed (also known as Cheeseweed) grows in "disturbed soils." What ...
controlling strawberry plants
how would I go about getting rid of wild strawberry plants that vine everywhere in my flower bed? How did they get there?
Doug says that weed control ...
Torpedo Grass
Can you give me a suggestion about how to get rid of torpedo weeds?
Doug says he's not a Southern gardener but I do understand this is a introduced ...
Why clear plastic?
Hi Doug,
I have three raised beds I use for growing vegetables and have a heck of a time keeping them weed-free during off season. Why do you suggest ...
weed control in gardens
How can I control foxtail, ect in Squash, Sweetcorn, Beets, Peas?
Doug says that mulch works really well as does a good hoe.
Or you can burn off ...
Controlling thistles There is a wall at the back of my property on the other side of which is a ditch and open land. I have recently planted shrubs and cedars in front of the ...
Grass in a new garden bed The landscaper of our condo created a flower bed by turning over the lawn & then putting a rich topsoil on it. Well, the perennials are doing very well ...
Is Treflan safe for vegetable gardens? The man at the seed store told us that treflan is a safe weed killer for vegetable gardens. We bought some but I want a second opinion before I use it....
english ivy I have a spot of english ivy at least i think that is what it is that I can not get rid of it. There is alot of woody vines and i have tried just about ...
eliminating ajuga
Hi,
Searched for articles about killing plants but didn't see anything that answers my question. I have a section of about 12 x 12 that has a border ...
organic control of Canada Thistle What is the most effective way over time to get Canada Thistle out of a grass coverd burm with Aspen the top canopy, snowberry and roses the understory?...
crab grass
what to do its everywhere in my flower bed under it and in yard o i have to dig all plants up in bed and start new or can i spray or what help
Doug ...
Corn gluten vs. corn meal
My mother-n-law always put corn meal on her yard. Was she confused or does it also work?
Doug says that he can't say whether your mother-in-law is ...
Using Corn Gluten in Started Plants I have read your piece on using corn gluten to control weeds. If I am transplanting annuals from pots to the bed in my yard, can I use corn gluten along ...
pre-emergent weed control in bulbs
Will a pre-emergent (preen) prevent the growth of bulbs, corms or tubers and for how long is it effective against such?
Doug says that the active ingredient ...
Weed-Buttercup
Doug, How can I get rid of buttercup? I pick off as many runners as I can, but they still thrive.
Shirley Anderson
Doug says - in flower gardens,...
weeds around flowers, bushes
How about the vinegar? does it work, how much where to put it?
Doug says that using household vinegar doesn't really work on weeds. It usually isn'...
Creeping Charlie, Plantain, Dandelion, Crabgrass Patch I have a strip of land between my driveway and neighbor's chain link fence that is approximately 3' wide and 15' long. It was infested with creeping charlie,...
garlic mustard is taking over I live on the edge of woods that are heavily infected with garlic mustard. Every spring I pull out as much as I can, but the problem seems to only be ...
ALPINE GARDEN
HELLO DOUG,
WE HAVE AN ALPINE GARDEN ON THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE(FACING SOUNTH). WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH WEEDS EVEN AFTER PUTTING DOWN THE 2O YEAR ...
