Natural Lawn Weed Killer and Control

Dealing with weeds seems to be a never ending task for most homeowners from early spring to late fall. No sooner have you eradicated the latest outbreak then another one rears its ugly head in another part of the lawn. Like most homeowners you can break out the chemical weed killer and start spraying, but if you’re worried that this constant bombardment of noxious chemicals is not the best idea for you, your family and pets then it may be time to look at some form natural lawn weed killer and control.

Fortunately there are natural ways to control weeds that will keep those nasty herbicides out of your yard and life. Which method you use will be dependent on where you are in the lawn planning or maintenance process.

If your lawn has yet to be planted or you simply want to start over with a clean slate then consider the soil solarization method to begin your lawn with a weed free soil base. To do this begin by cutting down all the existing weeds in your new lawn area with a weed eater. If possible get a good sized roto-tiller and till the area to help pull up all the roots and loosen the soil. Rake up as much of the weed debris as you can and then using the rake level the soil as best you can.

Once you have prepped the area it is time to do the actual solarization step. Moisten the area lightly with a garden hose then place a layer of clear polyethylene plastic over the area. Construction grade plastic in the 1 to 6 mils thickness range will work just fine. Use large rocks or cinder blocks to hold the edges and be sure to do this during the middle of summer when the sun is highest in the sky. The plastic will intensify the heat from the sun a literally cook any weeds and plant seeds that remain in the soil, effectively leaving an area of pristine soil that can then be planted.

For existing lawns there are also several ways to get your weed problem under control. The first has to do with how you mow your lawn. Too many homeowners cut their grass to short; stressing it too much and leaving the door open for weeds to sprout. Set you lawn mower to its highest setting to create a thick lush lawn that will be more weed resistant. Taller grass effectively shades the soil keeping unwanted weed seeds from germinating while at the same time crowding out weeds that may be trying to gain a foothold in your yard.

A second method is to mix up a natural lawn weed killer from products you probably already have in your home. A simple mixture of vinegar, salt and water makes an effective weed killer but it is non-selective; meaning that it will kill any plant life it comes in contact with. For exact measurements for this organic weed killer please see our home page.