How Can You Ensure That Weeds Don’t Grow Back?

It grows quickly, overruns other plants, and depletes the soil of nutrients and water: weeds are a significant problem for gardeners and farmers. But what helps against weeds?

There are various methods for weed control, ranging from manual techniques like pulling weeds to chemical herbicides and professional machinery for large-scale weed eradication. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice of the optimal method depends on factors such as the size and type of the affected area, the extent of the problem, and environmental considerations. In this article, we present effective ways for sustainable weed control.

Weed pulling: Grasp the weed at the root

An environmentally friendly method for weeds in smaller areas such as flower beds or borders is pulling weeds. In our tips, you’ll learn how to remove weeds permanently:

• Start early: The earlier in the year you remove weeds, the less work you’ll have. At this time, the weeds are still small and don’t have many roots. Plus, you’ll prevent them from producing seeds and spreading further.
• Pull weeds in moist soil: Weeding in moist soil makes the job easier since the earth is softer, allowing you to pull out the roots more easily and completely.
• Remove the entire root: It’s important to remove the whole root, or else the weed will quickly regrow.
• Use the right tools: Hand forks, various hoes, weed pullers, and joint knives are essential garden tools that make thorough weed removal easier. Tools with long handles minimize back pain from bending over. Also, a kneeling pad or bench can alleviate back strain during weeding.
• Weed regularly: This prevents weeds from spreading and becoming a bigger problem. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to tackle weeds once a week.
• Dispose of the weeds: Collect the weeds and dispose of them in the trash. For large quantities, appropriate landfills are advisable. In some regions, it’s also permissible to burn weeds. Only compost weeds if they are completely decomposed and haven’t formed seeds yet.

Weed destruction: Home remedies that really work

Want to avoid back pain or don’t have time for weeding? There are various home remedies for weeds that are back-friendly, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. Especially for weeds on sidewalks, paved terraces, and areas without further planting, you can selectively remove weeds with these home remedies:

• Vinegar: Vinegar dries out plants. Simply mix vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio and spray the solution on the weeds. Check the legal regulations in your area, as the use of vinegar for weed control is prohibited in some places.
• Salt for weed control: Simply sprinkle some salt on the weeds to kill them. However, be cautious as salt can harm the soil. Again, pay attention to the legal regulations in your area, as the use of salt for weed control is prohibited in some places.
• Boiling water as a weed killer: Pour boiling water over the weeds to kill them.
• Baking soda: Mix baking soda with water to make a paste and apply it to the weeds.
• Citric acid for weed control: Citric acid is available inexpensively in many supermarkets or drugstores. Simply dissolve the citric acid in water and spray the solution on the weeds. However, citric acid negatively affects the soil’s pH level and is therefore prohibited as a herbicide in various places.
• Mulching: Cover the soil around your plants with a layer of mulch. This effectively inhibits weed growth.

Note that these home remedies are not selective and may potentially harm other plants. Therefore, use these home remedies for weed control selectively and with the appropriate caution.

Fast but Controversial: Chemical Weed Killers

There are different types of ready-to-use weed killers available. Some are designed to combat weeds in the lawn, while others are suitable for sidewalks or beds. There are also products approved for use in agricultural operations.

Ready-to-use weed killers have the advantage of being easy to apply and typically permanently removing weeds. However, it’s important to use them carefully and according to the instructions on the packaging, as chemical herbicides also affect other plants and, in certain formulations, pose risks to the environment. The use of ready-to-use weed killers is associated with the following issues:

Environmental Impact: Many ready-to-use weed killers contain chemicals that not only affect weeds but also other plants and animals. Additionally, there is a risk of chemical herbicides infiltrating groundwater and soil, thereby contaminating the environment.

Health Risks: Some chemical weed killers pose health risks to humans and pets, especially with improper use. Therefore, it’s essential to follow the instructions on the label precisely and wear appropriate protective gear.

Cost: Compared to home remedies or manual weed removal, ready-to-use weed killers are very expensive. Especially with frequent use on large areas, significant costs can accumulate.

Soil Quality: Some weed killers affect soil quality and thus the growth of ornamental and crop plants. With excessive use, there is also the risk of unwanted chemicals accumulating in the soil over time.

Biodiversity: Certain chemical herbicides are suspected of preventing the establishment of certain species of plants and animals after their use, which affects biodiversity. This is particularly problematic in areas with rare or endangered species.

Efficient Weed Removal with Machinery

Quick and environmentally friendly, you can remove weeds with special machinery. Here too, it’s important to consider the specific needs and conditions to choose the most suitable method.

1. Pressure Washer for Weed Removal

Want to permanently remove weeds from sidewalks? With a pressure washer, you can spray away the weeds with high water pressure. This method is particularly useful for cleaning terraces, sidewalks, and driveways and offers several advantages:

• A pressure washer is very effective at removing weeds on surfaces like sidewalks, terraces, and driveways.
• The high water pressure removes the weeds along with the roots, reducing the chances of weed regrowth.
• Compared to chemical weed killers, a pressure washer is a more environmentally friendly alternative, as it does not require harmful chemicals.

However, if used incorrectly, there is a risk that a pressure washer will cause damage to plants, floors and other surfaces. Therefore, use the pressure washer carefully to remove weeds and make sure that you only direct the water at the areas to be treated. For more information on choosing the right device, read our article: “Which pressure washer should you buy?”

2. destroy weeds with a sweeper

There are special sweepers for weed removal that have a weed brush. These brushes effortlessly remove weeds from joints or cracks. The advantage lies in the simple operation and the efficient and fast weed removal. Sweepers are also an environmentally friendly solution that destroys weeds without the use of chemical herbicides.

However, there are also some disadvantages to weed removal with a sweeper. Stubborn weeds may require the ground to be treated several times. In addition, due to the comparatively high purchase price, a sweeper is usually only worthwhile for owners of large areas and less so for allotment gardeners or homeowners.

3. flame weeds with a burner

Weeds can also be destroyed with fire: A weed burner uses gas to produce a flame that burns the weeds. There are several advantages to flaming weeds with a weed burner:

• Effective weed control: burning the weeds quickly and effectively destroys all plant cells and the weeds die.
• Environmentally friendly: Flaming weeds is an environmentally friendly method as it requires no chemicals or pesticides.
• Inexpensive: Compared to other methods such as using herbicides or buying a sweeper, flaming weeds is less expensive.
• Time-saving: Flaming weeds is a quick way to treat larger areas.
• However, there are a few things to bear in mind when using a weed burner. Do not use such devices near flammable materials such as wood, dry grass or leaves. Also watch out for power cables or gas pipes when using them. Another danger is posed by toxic gases that can be produced when the appliance burns. Work with appropriate safety clothing.

FAQ

Where do weeds come from?

Weeds spread in various ways, for example by the wind, birds or other animals. Weed seeds are also sometimes found in garden soil or mulch.

Why are weeds a problem?

Weeds detract from the aesthetic appearance of gardens. They also take valuable nutrients and water from the soil, which hinders the growth of other plants. Some weeds are also poisonous or allergenic and therefore pose a health risk.

How often should weeds be weeded?

The frequency of weeding depends on various factors, such as the type and quantity of weeds, the soil and the climate. It is advisable to remove weeds regularly to prevent them from spreading. A common rule of thumb is to weed once a week.