Chemical-Free Weed Control: Easy and Effective Methods

With these 5 easy to follow methods you can kill weeds in your lawn...

All without any chemicals!

We all know the feeling.

You walk out into your beautiful yard and you find that it is covered in weeds!

Fortunately, we have 5 eco-friendly weed control methods for you.

Sound good? Then let’s dive in!

We all know that chemicals like Roundup can be used to kill weeds.

Unfortunately, these chemicals have long lasting effects on our bodies, lawns and environments. 

Here’s the deal, instead you can use some homemade weed-killing solutions.

Even better, you will also be making the yard safer for you, your family, your pets and the animals who may be passing through. 

If you don't want to pay a professional lawn care company, these Eco-friendly weed killing methods will work for you.

Let’s jump into method #1!

Method #1: Hand Weeding

What is the most effective manual way to remove weeds? 

Hand weeding is a highly effective method.

The first thing you have to do is put in the work. 

Just get down on your hands and knees and begin pulling the weeds yourself. It is a lot of work, yes. But you can get some exercise and get rid of those weeds using nothing more than a simple weeding tool and your hands. 

I know, it may not be as easy as using herbicides. But the results will be achieved without any chemicals. And in the long run the results will be better. Even better you will appreciate your lawn more for it.

In my experience, weeding the lawn by hand is not as bad as it seems to be. 

Method #2: Boiling Water

Do you have a pot full of boiling water left over? Maybe you just cooked up some pasta, or boiled some potatoes.  

Go out to the weeds and pour the boiling water over the top of them. They won’t be there much longer.

This is enough to kill even the toughest weeds, shriveling up your problem within just a few days.

Method #3: Smothering Weeds

How can you kill weeds without pulling them? Smothering weeds is a simple and cost-free method.

This one is very easy and effective.  It is likely your best solution if you just want to replace the lawn. Although It may not be the most attractive way to kill your weeds, it is free!

Simply put, all you have to do is smother weeds and deny them any light from the sun. 

There are three common items you can use to smother weeds:

1. Newspaper

2. Cardboard

3. A Tarp

Just leave any of those down in the lawn for a couple of days. Within just a few days, all of the weeds under the covered area will be dead. 

Best of all, they will remain dead until new seeds sprout and grow. 

Method #4: Using Salt

Check this out, salt is a cheap and easy way to kill weeds fast. 

The same rock salt that is used to melt snow, can be used to kill weeds too. You can also use simple table salt, or water softener salt as well. 

Be AWARE! There are two issues with using salt:

1. Salt can make the ground barren if you use too much, so use it sparingly. 

2. Salt can also cause issues with any pavers, cement or stepping stones. 

Here’s the deal, salt can break apart many types of pavers and stone if used too frequently. If you must use it on pavers, just be sure to do it sparingly. 

Method #5: Regular Lawn Maintenance

Maintaining the lawn is perhaps the most important method of weed control. 

Once you have weeded the lawn and your dream turf has begun to form. You must be sure to maintain the lawn regularly. 

Seed heads develop fast and keeping the lawn mowed on a regular basis is a crucial part of having a weed-free lawn.

Get this, it’s not just the weeds in your lawn you need to watch out for. You must also watch for the weeds along the perimeter of your property too. You want to be sure that plants along the edge of your lawn are not spreading seeds into the lawn itself. The Best way to do this is by maintaining the border of your lawn.

Bonus Tip: Use corn gluten in early spring as a pre-emergent. Corn gluten will bind to any seeds in the lawn, and keep them from sprouting. Obviously you won’t want to apply it over any grass seeds you have spread out. But when used properly corn gluten will stop weeds from growing in your lawn and landscape.

What is the best time of year to apply organic weed control methods?

Early spring and fall are the best times to apply organic weed control methods. During early spring, weeds are just starting to sprout, which makes them susceptible to preventative measures such as using corn gluten meal. Applying it in fall helps disrupt the germination of weed seeds, leading to a neater lawn in the upcoming season.

Can vinegar be used to kill weeds?

Yes, vinegar can be used to kill weeds effectively. It contains acetic acid which dehydrates the weeds quickly, causing them to perish. It works best when sprayed directly onto the foliage of young, annual weeds on a sunny day. Be cautious, though, as vinegar does not discriminate and can damage nearby vegetation if not applied carefully.

Can pulling weeds be as effective as using herbicides?

Pulling weeds by hand can be equally effective as using chemical herbicides, particularly for small or moderate weed problems. This method allows for the complete removal of the weed, including its roots, which helps prevent it from growing back. While it requires more physical effort, manual weed removal offers a precise solution that avoids the use of chemicals, providing an immediate impact on weed control.

Below is a comparison of eco-friendly weed control methods detailing the tools you'll need and the benefits each method offers

The Bottom Line on Eco-friendly Weed Control

Weeds are awful, but you don't have to use any sort of harsh weed killer to get rid of them.

Don’t lower yourself down to their level, unless you are weeding by hand. Instead you can use these Eco-friendly ways to get rid of the weeds for good.

Best of all you can begin to build an Eco-friendly lawn. Households across the nation are all moving towards a more Eco-friendly alternatives. And so are many lawn care companies.  

This article provides five eco-friendly methods to eliminate weeds from your lawn without using harmful chemicals. These methods include hand weeding, pouring boiling water over weeds, smothering them with newspaper, cardboard, or a tarp, using salt sparingly, and maintaining your lawn regularly. 

Additionally, using corn gluten in early spring can prevent weed growth. These methods are safe for your health and the environment, contributing to a more eco-friendly lawn care approach.

If you need help getting rid of weeds in your lawn, or simply need someone near you to cut the grass. Try GreenPal's free lawn care bids.