Organic ideas for getting rid of weeds

Discussion in 'Organic Gardening' started by amy, May 19, 2008.

  1. amy

    amy New Seed

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    I am new to organic gardening. I have way too many weeds. I need help? I dig them up, but they grow right back. I need a little boost. Any ideas that will help?

    Thanks,
    Amy
     
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  3. Wrennie

    Wrennie In Flower

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    If theyre in a walk way rock salt will kill them. In the lawn keep the grass well cut and they should get choked out by the grass. In a garden spray with pure white vinegar to kill them.
     
  4. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    The vinegar is a good organic method, it takes a couple of days but it works. Be sure you get the 20% vinegar from a garden center, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Put it in a spray bottle, I use it full strength and you might want to wear rubber kitchen gloves in case you have sensitive skin.

    Welcome to GardenStew, how about posting an intro of yourself in the Welcome to GardenStew forum. Tell us about your gardening, hobbies, etc.
    What part of Texas are you from, there are several Texans on the forum.
     
  5. Quietly Awesome

    Quietly Awesome Seedling

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    If it's in a garden bed, lay thick layers of newspapers before you mulch.
     



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  6. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    Eat em!!!
     
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  7. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    I weed the old-fashioned way.... I get down on my hands and knees with a trowel and remove them by hand(roots and all). It is extremely time consuming, but I feel that it's a thorough way to do it. It's a ritual that we go through every spring.
    The beauty of such a thorough removal method is that I then only have to run through the garden with a schoffel about every 2-3 weeks the rest of the summer and it's clean.--no more pulling or digging.
     
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  8. tschnath

    tschnath In Flower

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    I can't keep up with my weeds either, thanks for the vinegar tip I may try that one.

    Good luck removing your weeds Amy and Welcome to the stew.
     
  9. Purpura

    Purpura New Seed

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    I have a non organic method that will work....but in two weeks all grass and weeds will die.
    Use a plastic similar to a garbage bag
    very black or something similar and lay it out whever you want weeds or grass to die ...plants will also die be aware of the obvious...
    simply lay it flat and cover whatever you want to die... lay rocks on it or wood. After even a few days nearly everything will be dead or dieing and much easier to pull up if you have a massive problem

    when I plant a new flower bed or garden I do what grandma did. I bring in pinestraw and leaves on the grass where i plant to grow set it all on fire when its dry and let most of the grass burn out. Then I lay down plastic similar to what we see in strawberry fields. remove it after time completely cover in compost and pinestraw after all plants are planted
    ta da im happy with it

    I realize if you live in a large city settings things on fire might not be acceptable :)
    also dont burn yourself
     
  10. FitnessAtPlay

    FitnessAtPlay New Seed

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    WEEDS

    Hi, that's a great idea using the vinegar solution. I have a small yard (I guess around 5000 sq feet) that is only a year old, with a glenden septic system. I had not been able to get to any real gardening but am ready. First thing is to get rid of those weeds! How would I apply the vinegar solution to such an area, or is the area too large for that solution?

    Thanks,
    Mark
     
  11. mtathome

    mtathome Seedling

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    If they are weeds in an existing flower bed, I'd get out as many as possible or even cut them down low to the ground, then lay thick layers of wet newspaper or cardboard on top of the weedy area and cover it with mulch.

    Plant in holes in the newspaper/ cardboard when you want to plant something new.
     
  12. Tooty2shoes

    Tooty2shoes Hardy Maple

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    Yup,Just eat them.

    Actually there are many thing we consider weeds that are really good to eat. Take Chickweed for one. It is loaded with vitamins and some minerals. You can put in your salad, eat it when you are out in your garden, or dry it and make a green tea drink out of it. :D Yum, Yum.
     
  13. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

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    I've used the vinegar trick and swear by it! ;)
     
  14. AAnightowl

    AAnightowl Young Pine

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    I am so dingy somedays... Hiya Amy and WELCOME here. :stew1: My mom likes "weeds" like dandelions to eat in salads. I do not care for them, but dandelion root is very good for liver ailments and I always keep some [pills] on hand. My mom also likes water cress and endive. Back in Pennsylvania, they grew wild by the creeks and she knew where to find all kinds of wild things for our food. I loved the berries much better. Mmmmm. A bowl of fresh berries with sugar and milk on them for breakfast was wonderful. She always knew where to find peppermint for peppermint tea all year long too.
     
  15. cindjo717

    cindjo717 Seedling

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    I agree with smothering them. I just smother them with black plastic, they sell it in rolls in gardening centers and or cardboard/news papers... works wonders.. Vinegar is good in between rocks and sidewalk cracks.
     
  16. sgmgarden

    sgmgarden In Flower

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    One organic way of getting rid of any unwanted weeds is by using hot boiling water. When poured on the weeds, the heat of the water causes them to shrivel up. I have also seen a number of people suggest vinegar as another method but be careful if you choose to use this. I hope this helps you get rid of them!
     

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