We all love a beautifully vibrant, green lawn but hate the pesky weeds that often invade our precious patch of grass. It can be challenging to get rid of these weeds without ruining the appearance of your lawn. If you’re hoping to reduce your garden’s weeds without harming your grass, you’re in luck.
Here are 7 natural ways to get rid of weeds without killing your grass:
- Pull the weeds by hand.
- Use weed-digging tools to remove weeds by the root.
- Carefully apply natural weed-killers to invasive weeds.
- Look into organic, weed-specific herbicides.
- Use boiling water on large weed patches.
- Apply corn gluten meal to areas prone to weeds.
- Fertilize your lawn regularly to inhibit weed growth.
There is nothing worse than giving your lawn the attention it needs to thrive, only to have weeds take over your wonderful lawn. This article will discuss some of the best ways to rid your lawn of stubborn weeds. Read on to learn what you can do to get rid of weeds naturally without killing your grass.
1. Pull the Weeds by Hand
Let’s address the elephant in the room: weeding isn’t everyone’s favorite chore.
However, taking the time to pull weeds from your lawn is a crucial step to maintaining the health of your grass and preventing more weeds from taking over.
Removing weeds from the ground as soon as you notice them prevents them from reproducing and completely overtaking your lawn.
With this in mind, you should weed often.
Dedicate some time each week or every few days to making sure the weeds don’t get out of control, and you’ll thank yourself later.
Weed Early in the Spring to Prevent Excessive Weed Growth
We’ve all tried to pull a weed that feels like it was anchored 10 feet (3.05 m) into the ground.
Once weeds have taken root in the ground, they can be tough to remove, especially if you’re trying to pull them by hand.
To spare yourself the headache (and backache) of pulling firmly rooted weeds, make a point to dedicate some time to weeding early in the spring.
It may not be the most enjoyable springtime chore, but it’s certainly worth saving yourself from monstrous weeds in the future.
2. Use Weed-Digging Tools to Remove Weeds by the Root
It can be challenging to remove some of the more stubborn weeds by hand, as simple as it may sound.
If you come across weeds whose roots are particularly deep, consider using a weed removal tool to remove the weed from the soil entirely.
A dandelion digger is an excellent option for removing weeds by the root.
Hence the name, the tool is handy for removing dandelions from your lawn.
However, dandelion diggers also work on weeds of different varieties.
If you struggle with particularly deep weeds, I recommend the CFCT Weeder Tool (available on Amazon.com).
Its ergonomic design is made of sturdy aluminum.
It also includes a soft grip, making it a comfortable option for long weeding sessions.
3. Carefully Apply Natural Weed-Killers to Invasive Weeds
The harsh chemicals commonly found in weed killers are a particular concern when it comes to protecting your lawn.
Luckily, there are a few ways to get rid of the weeds in a way that’s safe for your grass.
The best part is most of these solutions are easy to make on your own.
Not to mention that most of them are made with ingredients that most people already have at home.
There’s a wide variety of natural solutions that you can use to inhibit the growth of weeds.
These solutions include rubbing alcohol, vinegar, dish soap, and salt.
One of the most common homemade weed killers involves mixing vinegar, salt, and dish soap.
Some experts recommend mixing about a gallon (3.79 L) of vinegar with a cup (128 g) of salt and a tablespoon (14.79 ml) of soap.
However, you can adjust the ratios of the solution according to your specific needs.
Use a Spray Bottle to Apply Weed Killing Solutions
Once you have mixed up a natural solution for killing weeds, pour it into a handheld spray bottle.
By using a small spray bottle to spray the deterrents onto each weed, you’ll be able to pinpoint the area affected by the solution.
As a result, you can avoid spraying excess weed killer on your grass and minimize the damage done to your lawn.
When you spray the weeds, they should be visibly wet, but not so wet that the solution is dripping freely from the leaves.
Avoid Harsh Natural Remedies Whenever Possible
If you’re just beginning to use natural weed killers, it’s a good idea to start with the least aggressive remedies.
Whenever possible, lean towards using the less abrasive forms of natural weed killer.
Salt is tough on plants. Although you can apply it carefully to weeds without doing much damage to the surrounding grass, it’s always a good idea to use it sparingly.
When you’re first attempting a homemade weed-killing solution, try mixing just vinegar and dish soap.
Apply this solution to the weeds first to see how effective it is. If it isn’t quite strong enough for the type of weeds you’re facing, you can then add some salt to give it a boost.
4. Look Into Organic, Weed-Specific Herbicides
Believe it or not, there are weed killers on the market that are organically made and highly effective.
However, most of them should still be used sparingly as your lawn, as excessive use can damage your grass.
You should use aggressive herbicides sparingly and only after gentler methods of weed removal fail.
Still, suppose this is the route you prefer to eliminate your weeds.
In that case, I recommend you look into the Green Gobbler Weed Killer (available on Amazon.com).
It’s highly effective and certified for organic use. Again, take care to apply it deliberately and avoid letting it touch your grass whenever possible.
Before you purchase any herbicide, be sure to read the label carefully.
Although many of the herbicides on the market are safe for grass, some of them can be particularly harmful to your lawn.
Double-check the label to make sure you buy one that won’t damage your grass.
5. Use Boiling Water on Large Weed Patches
Pouring boiling water on weeds is a standard natural method of weed removal.
The process involved in this method is straightforward and inexpensive.
However, because it can be hard on the grass, I recommend using this method in areas closer to the outskirts of your lawn.
The boiling water method is excellent for getting rid of large patches of weeds all at once.
6. Apply Corn Gluten Meal to Areas Prone to Weeds
Corn gluten meal is an excellent option if you’re looking to prevent the future growth of weeds in your garden.
However, it’s essential to note that it won’t be very effective on weeds that have already sprouted and grown a fair amount.
Because corn gluten meal is mainly ineffective on sprouted plants, it won’t harm your grass.
Applying it to your lawn in early spring is an excellent preventative measure when it comes to keeping weeds out of your lawn.
Some experts also recommend reapplying corn gluten meal to your lawn every month or two throughout the year’s warmer months to discourage weed growth later on.
7. Fertilize Your Lawn Regularly to Inhibit Weed Growth
A thick, lush patch of grass is often a challenging environment for weeds to grow in.
So, one great way to make sure weeds stay out of your lawn is to make sure you’re properly caring for your grass.
If the grass is thriving, there’s not much space in the soil for weeds to take root.
Frequent fertilization is key to helping your grass grow thick and healthy.
However, you should note how much fertilizer you apply to your lawn.
Too much fertilizer can encourage weed growth by overwhelming your grass and providing weeds with plenty of the nutrients they need to grow.
At the same time, not using enough fertilizer will ruin the desired effect of “choking out” weeds; grass will grow weaker and thinner, creating space for weeds to grow.
How Much Fertilizer Should I Use on My Lawn?
You should use enough fertilizer to provide 1-6 pounds of nitrogen to your lawn per 1,000 square feet per year (depending on your type of grass). However, you need to pay attention to the nitrogen content in your fertilizer to calculate the correct amount of fertilizer, as nitrogen ratios vary.
If you look at your fertilizer bag, you will see your numerical ratios as three numbers.
The first number is your nitrogen content. So, for example, an average fertilizer with a 20% nitrogen ratio would require 5lbs of fertilizer (2,2kg) per year per 1,000 sq. ft (92.9 m2).
Optimal fertilization of your lawn can vary depending on the type of grass you are growing and the climate of the surrounding environment.
However, the numbers above are reasonably reliable guidelines for essential lawn fertilization.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with pesky weeds taking over your lawn, you’re not alone.
Luckily, there are a few highly effective ways you can naturally get rid of weeds without damaging your grass.
These natural methods will bring you one step closer to a weed-free lawn in no time:
- Pull weeds by hand as soon as you notice them.
- Apply homemade, natural weed killers carefully to weeds.
- Take advantage of preventative measures like corn gluten meal and fertilization.
Cheers, tools owners!