One of the most annoying issues that come up when treating lawns is weeds. They’re unpredictable, showing up mostly along the edges of other plants and shrubs.
Weeds can sometimes be very destructive if not killed, their roots blocking the growth of grasses and different plant life.
For people with gardens, it’s crucial that you routinely check for any weed growth while adding obstacles along the ground to prevent future weeds from sprouting up. We strongly recommend using a lazy lawn (see our guide here).
The information below detailing all the steps you should take to eradicate weeds from your lawn, along with a list of needed items to do so. It’s not too tricky to get started. Soon, you’ll never have to worry about those pesky weeds ever again. Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
Things that You’ll Need to Begin
Before you get started with the process, please take the time to acquire and familiarize yourself with the following items recommended for the tutorial below. Keep in mind that you don’t need everything that’s described on the list, though it would help to obtain as much as you can (depending on the size of your lawn).
Landscape Fabric – You’ve likely seen this used by professional landscapers. It’s usually black and placed underneath areas where plants (or nothing at all) lead up to an edge or clump of bushes) Since the ground is covered in this way, no plants at all will be able to grow from underneath the fabric.- Newspaper – Newspaper is an alternative to using landscape fabric. It does that same thing, blocking weeds from being exposed to the sun and killing off those that are already there.
- Vinegar – Vinegar is often used as a “natural” way to get rid of weeds. Some dislike applying pre-made chemicals that are sold in stores. If you want to treat your lawn for weed growth but are worried about the effect, it will have on your other plants/grass, this is a must-have.
- Dishwashing Liquid – Dishwashing liquid is usually combined with vinegar when spraying weeds. You don’t need to buy anything in particular; any brand that you already have lying around in your kitchen or cabinets should suffice.
- Mulch – Mulch is a combination that consists of mostly wood chips and sometimes other dead vegetation. It’s useful in beautifying areas of lawns that have no grass. You can place it on top of your landscaping fabric or newspaper. Do be careful when applying it, however, since the chips will kill anything its place on top of.
- Water Source – Sometimes, good old water will do that track that all others fail at. Boiling water is useful for weeds found in areas where it’s difficult to treat with some of the other items mentioned. Cracks in sidewalks are a good example.
- Rock Salt – You can combine rock salt or Epsom salt with vinegar to create your own natural weed killer, or use it on its own. When doing this, be sure to direct the solution at weeds only to avoid damaging other wanted plant life.
Last Resort Options
Here’s what to use when you’re either not concerned with using natural methods or just can’t seem to get rid of those pesky weeds in your lawn and driveway.
Trowel – A trowel resembled a mini shovel that’s handheld and very useful at getting rid of weeds. You pull them up by the root. It’s advisable to do this with another weed killing substance since it can sometimes be difficult to pull up weeds in this manner. Weed roots could be spread out over a larger area than one may realize.- Weed Killer – Weedkiller is usually the best choice for most, more so when you want to cut to the chase and be ensured that weed growth will stop. Try to find a weed killer that doesn’t have any effect on your other plants. But even then, always test it out in a small area first to see how it will react to other nearby vegetation.
- Weed Preventer – Weed preventers are usually sold as powders that you can add to your lawn to stop weed growth before the plant reaches its flowering stage. Some of these products might be safe to use on your other plants, while others are not. Always check with the manufacturer’s recommendations on the label.
Detailed Instructions
Use this guide to get rid of your weeds once and for all.
Step 1: Preliminary Setup
Before you begin with any of the steps shown, be sure to prepare and gather up everything that you need. Find your safety gloves, mix all of your solutions together (as indicated in the list above), and choose the best time of day for you to work.
Step 2: Find all Areas of Weed Growth
Take a good look at your lawn. What do you see? Are there weeds growing on your sidewalk alone, or do you notice growth around the edges of your bushes? If you see weeds in the middle of your grass, be sure to take note of that. Where you find them can heavily depend on the methods, you’ll need to kill the weeds.
Step 3: Test the Appropriate Weed Killer
Always test a small area before you apply any type of weed killer. It doesn’t matter if you’ve mixed together with your own concoction or bought some formula off the internet. Sidewalks are a good place to test. If the formula you have is good, the weeds should begin to die off in a couple of hours or less. Then you’ll know where to begin with the rest.
Step 4: Pour Boiling Water onto Problem Areas
Try boiling water before you use other substances, particularly if you don’t have extensive weed growth on your lawn. Just go into the kitchen, fill a pot of water, and allow it to come to a rolling boil on your stove. Pour the hot water directly on your weeds, making sure to avoid other plants. Whilst doing this, wear safety gear for your hands to avoid accidental burns.
Step 5: Use Landscape Fabric or Newspaper to Prevent New Growth
Try out some newspaper or landscape fabric if you have bushes or a small garden near your weed growth. It’s a good way to stop all plants from growing. You may even be able to add your own plants on top of this, burying them in your own dirt pile that rests on top of the fabric/newspaper.
Step 6: Cover Treated Areas with Mulch
Add some mulch into the mix whenever possible. Mulch also serves as a decoration or top of preventing weeds from growing. You can put it on top of your landscape fabric or newspaper if you don’t plan on adding any vegetation on top.
Step 7: Use a Trowel and Weed Killer Brand (if Necessary)
When all else fails, break out your handy trowel to pick up as much of the weed root as you can. When you’re done, pour more boiling water or weed killer into the hole, or a vinegar/dishwashing detergent/rock salt solution.
Step 8: Finish with a Weed Preventer
Finish off your wedding with a weed preventer. This is a good way to stop future weeds from growing in the areas where you last saw growth but didn’t apply landscaping fabric or newspaper.
Summary
Did you enjoy the article? Killing weeds doesn’t need to be a hassle for you. Just follow the steps laid out in the previous section, and you’re sure to get good results. It doesn’t take much effort to kill weeds; there are endless possibilities for you to do this.
Weeds can damage and prevent other plants from growing, including grasses. Whenever you see them, try to hurry and kill them off as soon as possible. And when you’re done, you’ll be able to finally say goodbye to those annoying little sprouts that you see in around the cracks of your sidewalk and the edges of your bushes. Apply in the summer or other seasons; it makes no difference at all!
