No one wants weeds in their yard, and we’re about to explain why. Imagine creeping lawn weeds appearing in your yard when you wake up in the morning. It’s not a happy sight, but luckily, their growth isn’t inevitable. There are many ways to find out which plants are weeds, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from growing again.
Weeds Vs Grass
Most people don’t know the difference between weeds and grass. Ironically enough, they don’t know the difference because they believe there is a list of grass types and a list of weed types. But this isn’t the case. You can classify any grass or plant as a weed that is invasive and unattractive. That’s what really makes a weed what it is, the fact that it is unwanted. Whereas grass is green, attractive, and always wanted.
Why Get Rid Of Weeds?
Weeds are no fun and that’s easy to see. And no, it’s not just because they are ugly. Weeds can be dangerous to the other life around them. Many weeds cause allergies while others are poisonous. But it’s always other plants that suffer. Unwanted weeds can steal the nutrients from plants in your yard.
How To Get Rid Of Weeds
Getting rid of weeds can be done in a few different ways. There are many materials or substances that snuff out weeds. The problem is that weeds are harder to kill than grass so if you kill the weeds, it’s hard not to kill the grass too.
Salt
Salt kills weeds the same way that it can kill other plants and insects like termites. It disrupts water flow and dries out the plant. It is easy to place only on the weeds and not the grass, leaving the weeds to wilt and die.
Newspaper
Newspaper is an amazing tool that you can shred up and sprinkle over weeds. Wood chips can do the same thing but the newspaper is more readily available. It smothers the weeds while decomposing properly.
Vinegar
Vinegar can be deadly to weeds. It also dehydrates the weeds only does so faster than salt. Mix the two together for an even faster job well done. Just keep in mind that you may need to do so a few days in a row.
Soap
Dish soap in particular can really kill weeds. You can use it alone, or mix it with vinegar. You can mix most of these ingredients together to create a cocktail that will really take care of those weeds in no time.
Hot Water
Or rather, boiling water, will boil those weeds and cause them to die. This works on most plants so be careful. Boiling water can also be poured down anthills to kill entire communities of ants harassing your yard.
Bleach
Bleach is a strong chemical that does a wonderful job at killing weeds. It can take care of weeds in any area faster than almost anything else. Though most people use it as a last resort because it is just so strong.
Weed Killer
Weedkiller almost always works. Of course, it’s a weedkiller! But it is also quite strong and will harm almost anything that it touches. So use it as instructed on the box after trying the more natural options.