In response, laws and regulations are evolving to reflect public pressure and the inherent dangers of these chemicals.
Progress on regulation is somewhat more advanced when it comes to insect-killing pesticides.
So what environmentally friendly weed killer methods are there to control weeds instead?
The Spruce / K. Dave
Healthy soil leads to a healthy lawn, which promotes all kinds of plant growth, including weeds.
It’s the healthy soil “microbiome” that enables this.
The presence of excessive weeds usually indicates an underlying problem.
The Spruce / K. Dave
A thriving lawn is able to outcompete weeds and avoid weed infestations.
When weeds do make themselves present, it becomes about tolerance and maintaining a manageable threshold.
But they can be an effective alternative to using glyphosate-based herbicides.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Home Remedies
Sometimes the old ways are the best.
There are numerous variations on the recipe but the resulting concoction is usually a pretty good non-selective weed killer.
Plants with hairs or waxy coatings may not be completely eradicated by the vinegar concoction.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Dish Soap
Another popular home remedy is Ultra Dawn dish soapmixed with water used as amoss killer.
Apply this to the area of the lawn plagued with creeping Charlie.
You should only be spot treating with this method.
Flame Torch
One mechanical means of killing weeds is with a flame torch.
By scorching lawn weeds with the flame, you effectively kill it, right down to the roots.
Some homeowners practice a similar technique using boiling water.
Herbicides killallplants and not just weeds.
Be careful in your utility of an herbicide to only target the plant life you want to eliminate.
Pay particular attention to removing weeds before they flower.
Perennial weeds will need to be removed right down to their rootsnot plucked off at ground level.
One advantage of systematically removing weeds by hand is that it provides a means ofaerating the lawn.
It can also be a good way to keep kids engaged in lawn work.
For many people, this is all the motivation required.
Pesticides.Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
11:610065. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.610065
Weeds are an indicator of a soil’s health.Michigan State University Extension.
South Dakota State University Extension.
Borax on Ground Ivy: Boon or Bane?.
Iowa State University Extension.
