This problem is nothing new among homeowners who have yet to see the last of weeds this summer. While there’s a readily available synthetic weed killer, it’s still recommended to opt for an organic, long-term solution that won’t harm the grass, plants, and your loved ones.   

As this article will show, you can take steps to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free naturally. 

Weeding Out the Bad from the Good Naturally   

Before you launch an all-out war against the weeds, identify your enemies. Weeds can have a grass-like appearance (such as wild onions), have leaves that are flat and broad (like the dandelion), or have grassy weed classification (such as the annual bluegrass). While these plants, including clover, have medicinal or ornamental value, if you want them out of your lawn, they are considered weeds.

 Take note of the qualities of weeds as well. Plants become unwelcome when they stubbornly come back and take root in a short period and supplant your manicured grass. 

Pull Out Weeds by Hand 

Hand pulling is the most practical way of controlling weeds that are sprouting in your lawn. Moisten the soil before digging out the weeds, and pull to the roots. This option works when the plants in question have shallow root systems and are growing sparsely.  

Create a Homemade Weed Killer 

There are natural remedies for your weed woes. You can find some of these solutions at home. 

For example, a spray of vinegar can kill certain types of weeds. Do it repeatedly to get into the roots and kill them ultimately. Use household vinegar with more than 5 percent acetic acid for more powerful results. However, as The Spruce warns, be careful that it doesn’t get into your eyes and burn the grass.  

Other homemade weed killers that you can apply to lawn edges, sidewalks, and garden paths are the following: 

●     Newspapers to cover the area with weeds and suppress their growth

●     Boiling water to pour on young plants found in paths

●     Rock salt to sprinkle in walkways during winter to prevent weed sprout in spring 

Apply Mulch around Plants 

Mulching is hailed as one of the most organic ways to keep weeds from spreading to your lawn. Wood chips, barks, hulls, and leaves as mulch kill unwanted plants slowly but surely by blocking sunlight. These mulch materials also contain moisture that will keep your plants hydrated.   

Pro tip: don’t put too much mulch so that oxygen can still get into the soil. More importantly, apply mulch with care, ensuring that it doesn’t touch your lawn and inadvertently kill the grass. 

Prevent Weeds before They Even Make a Move 

“Summerize” your lawn. This move means doing preventive and maintenance measures as early as spring. 

Mow for thicker and taller grass. This condition lets in lower amounts of sun and thus hampers the growth of weeds. 

Water. Your best bet for a healthy lawn is a well-hydrated one. When your grass has deeper roots, it’s able to withstand conditions that pave the way for weeds to sprout. Healthier grass also means higher chances to edge out competing plants.  

Don’t skip a beat when watering your grass accordingly and efficiently. Check your current sprinkler setup to ensure your yard’s watering needs are met. For any issues with your irrigation, it’s advisable to search online for ‘the best Sprinkler Repair services.’ Local experts possess valuable knowledge about your area’s specific watering needs, ensuring your lawn remains well-hydrated and healthy. You or a professional can upgrade your existing system to replace parts or add drip tubes made especially for residential low-volume irrigation systems.

A well-kept lawn also requires aeration because weeds tend to grow in compacted soil.

To let your lawn breathe and thus support healthy growth, you can use mechanical aerators.  

A Warning about Conventional Weed Killers 

Synthetic weed killers are powerful for treating your lawn and garden by eliminating the unwanted and unsightly plants. But like pesticides, herbicides may carry risks for children or animals who may have been exposed to such a product. If you choose this method, be sure to place warning yard signs to make sure that children and pets are kept safely off of the sprayed areas.

One example is glyphosate, which is widely used among American homeowners. According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), this herbicide is used to regulate plant growth and kill most plants in the process. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cleared glyphosate in terms of being toxic to the body and has determined that children are not more sensitive to the herbicide than adults, as per the NPIC fact sheet. 

Nevertheless, herbicides entail taking extra care and caution. You have to follow what’s on the label and keep your children and pets safe indoors throughout the application to avoid exposure. Make sure you or anyone else doesn’t touch areas of the lawn that remain wet from the spray.  

Remember, going the natural way to get rid of weeds takes longer time than going for an instant kill. Weeds can be a sign that something is wrong with your soil and you have to address it for the survival of your plants. Listen to your lawn, water it with love, and wait for the best outcome.