Best gardening steps

People who grow their own vegetables and flowers are well aware that a fertile plot will also attract weeds. They have successfully adapted to every corner of the world, as long as there are nutrients and water. Even though not welcome in most gardens, the well-known dangers of chemical pesticide use prompts many to wonder what to use to kill weeds in a way that is less harmful to other living things.

There is less emphasis today on growing and maintaining the ideal lawn and garden, but the use of chemical-base products is still widespread. Most use formulas containing biocides to kill both roots and leaves, and there is little doubt that they are effective. Unfortunately, there is growing evidence that links some of these solutions to serious health issues common to long-term exposure.

That concern has sparked interest in weeding methods that are less toxic, but still effective. Landscape specialists already know that installing decorative plants that grow naturally in the local ecosystem is one way to create a healthier display that attracts fewer insect pests. Plants that do spring up can be controlled more easily, often without resorting to chemical warfare.

Pulling plants manually may be old-fashioned, but remains the safest way to keep weeds at bay. Many gardeners with larger plots to control use commercially sold herbicides, which do cut down on maintenance. The problem is that some of those substances also kill adjacent plants, and are harder to contain within a specific boundary. Hand-pulling takes effort, but does not endanger the family dog.

Many home gardeners cannot weed daily, and seek a faster process. One of the least environmentally dangerous is the use of boiling water, which should only be attempted by adults. Being doused in hot liquid has the same effect on plants as does on any other creature, and control areas formerly rife with overgrowth often show results in a matter of hours, not weeks.

Adding vinegar to the water augments the solution by increasing the amount of acetic acid, a natural herbicide. The greatest amounts are found in common pickling vinegar, an inexpensive substance that works best when added to water in equal amounts. There is little danger of residual toxins affecting children or pets, but not all hardy weed species succumb to it easily.

If an area is being cleared for construction of a new patio or outbuilding, the addition of salt works well. Salt kills plants quickly, but does stay in the soil for years, changing the chemistry permanently. In areas designated for new sod, that problem can be reduced by adding salt to the mixture of vinegar and boiling water, and then administering it by hand. This method is ideal for eliminating new sprouts.

Borax is a naturally occurring substance that can be sprinkled into driveway cracks, killing new growth before the roots are established. Vodka may be added to the hot water and vinegar mixture, which then causes dehydration and withering. Commercial products are also available that claim to be produced organically, but the decision to use them is up to the individual.