Every day I notice something new in the whole “go green” campaign. It seems to be a constant reminder of what I need to buy to ensure that I am as eco-friendly as possible. I feel immense guilt if I forget to bring my eco-friendly shopping bags when I go to any store and I am now the happy owner of close to 20 of those said bags. 

Still, eco-friendly is a great choice and one that I heartily agree with, especially when it comes to gardening.  I often shudder when I see those signs, “stay off the lawn, pesticide use,” and I think of all the hours of enjoyment that will be missed simply because someone sprayed their lawn.

If you are eco-friendly, or trying to go eco-friendly, here are is a handy organic tip on weed control that will keep you and your garden happy and healthy.

Weed Control:

I remember one year my garden became overrun with dandelions.  I was in hell.  Not because of the dandelions, nope I’m actually quite fond of this sunny little weed, but because of my over zealous neighbors who, I was positive, were casting hexes my way on a daily basis.  Two long days were spent going over the lawn on my hands and knees and digging out the dandelions.  I had a huge stack to toss into the compost by the time I was finished and my neighbors smiled at me in what appeared to be relief. 

Unfortunately, not even a week after my adventures in weeding and the neighbor across the street, who could care less about how the neighbors felt, allowed his lawn of dandelions to mature and I watched in horror as they spread across my lawn again.

Now I take a completely relaxed view of dandelions and the only time you see me out there pulling them out is when I’m harvesting a treat for my son’s bunny. 

Of course, this probably doesn’t offer you much advice right there but the most organic way to control weeds is to dig them out.  Yes, it’s hard work and probably one of the worst jobs in gardening but it has to be done.

Now, the alternative to digging out weeds in places other than your lawn, is to use an old piece of carpet or a piece of black polyethylene.  All you need to do is place the strip over the weed(s) and leave it.  The lack of light will eventually kill the weed and it is not a next day cure to weeds.  Generally, you need to wait several months for all the roots to die but in the end, if the patch of weeds was large enough, you save yourself the backache and the planet from chemicals.

Sirena Van Schaik

Tags: eco-friendly, garden, garden pests, garden weeds, Gardening, Gardens, healthy gardens, Organic Gardening, organic weed control, pest-free gardening, weed control

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