natural weed control
for the vinegar to set in. Vinegar is fast, powerful
and non-selective, so you’ve got to be careful when
spraying and applying, so as to not target your prized
plants. And while growers will debate and argue over
who’s got the most effective recipe, here’s a general
one that can be tweaked and experimented with to
best kill those darned weeds: half water/half vinegar
with a little salt for good measure.
Do you have some cornmeal in your kitchen? If not,
no worries, it’s cheap and easy to find. Cornmeal also
prevents weed seeds from germinating. Your best
bet is to wait until after your vegetable seeds have
sprouted to make sure the cornmeal doesn’t harm
your new plants. Plus it’s great at attracting worms to
your soil, which help to loosen it up.
Other natural herbicides include boiling water,
which is simple and effective—just make sure
you’re safe and you don’t douse yourself or the
plants you want to keep—and salt is another
solution, but this should be carefully applied, as
it can kill plant roots and important organisms
such as earthworms and fungi. It’s best to use salt
on gravelly areas and places where plants aren’t
intended to be. And when applying, target the salt
and do so sparingly—a spoonful is all that’s needed
to kill dandelions and similar weeds. Make sure any
runoff isn’t on its way to kill your other plants.
Make a Meal of ‘Em
Just because it’s a weed, doesn’t mean it’s without a purpose. Many weeds are native plants that
growers can actually enjoy instead of complaining
about and ripping from the earth. The reason they
thrive and are such a pain to kill is because they’re
meant to be there. Luckily for us humans, many
weeds have a tasty side. Many edible weeds make
a delightful addition to a salad or garnish, or have
medicinal uses. Learning to appreciate them is
simply a matter of shifting your attitude. So play,
have fun, experiment. But do your research first,
of course. No one wants to get sick from Mother
Nature. There are many weeds that can be chewed,
nibbled or made into tea. It’s overwhelming, but
here’s a taste: dandelion, red clover, watercress,
chickweed, burdock, purslane, lamb’s quarters
(wild spinach), kudzu and chicory root.
Whether you choose to simply get rid of weeds before
they germinate, or you eat them, the above tips will
help you ensure, the natural way, that unwanted
plants do not choke out your vegetable crop.
84
Maximum Yield USA | February 2014
Vinegar and
is
fast, powerful
non-selective, so you’ve
got to be careful when
spraying and applying,
so as to not target your
prized plants.”