Weeds are nothing but unwanted and invasive plants that are found in gardens and lawns. They tend to suck up all the nutrients from the soil and render the soil useless for the growth of other plants. They generally look ugly and multiply quickly. They spring up everywhere including plant beds and drive ways. They can be eliminated in many ways like spraying herbicides and pulling them out manually. However, the battle between you and the weeds is a continuous and never ending one.
Types of Weeds:
There are numerous kinds of weeds. They can be small creepers, big trees or even flowering or fruit bearing plants. There are even poisonous ones like poison sumac, poison ivy and poison oak. They may cause many kinds of skin problems. Never deal with weeds if you don’t know how to do so properly. It would always be better to let a professional to do the job for you. However, it is possible to learn how to do so easily. There are many ways in which you can eliminate weeds. Some of them are mentioned below:
Sprays:
There are many kinds of weed killers available in the market. Some of them are sprays which are known as herbicides. However, you have to be very careful while using herbicides. Some herbicides are only meant for killing woody shrubs. Others kill the weeds without harming other plants. Some kill everything that they fall upon. You have to be very careful while using sprays around other humans and animals as they can harm them as well.
Weed killers in granular form:
Granular weed killers may be dispensed with the help of your hands or by specially prepared bottles. They go right through the soil and kill the weed from its roots. They are quite effective but take a long time to kill the weeds.
Hand pulling:
You can remove the weeds with the help of your hands. This method is called hand pulling. Grab the weeds with your hands and pull them upwards slowly. Some weeds may come off easily as their roots don’t go too deep. To remove the other kind of weeds you might need the help of some tools. Also, make sure you have gloves on before trying to pull the weeds off the ground.
Precautions:
While using chemical weed removers, always remember to put a pair of gloves on. Don’t inhale the fumes that are emitted by the chemicals. Using a breathing mask might help. Each and every chemical weed remover comes with a set of directions concerning their method of usage. Read these directions with utmost attention. If you have to eliminate weeds on large scale, then it would always be better to contact some professional weed sprayer.
Preventions:
They say prevention is better than cure. It holds true almost every time. Spray your garden and plant beds with weed preventing chemicals early during spring; just before beginning gardening. These chemicals prevent the development of weed seedlings and also destroy the existing weeds.
