Every gardener’s dream is to eliminate the need to pull weeds. We’ll do everything we can to avoid it. Put down plastic, throw a layer of mulch over the surface, and sometimes, we even spray them with herbicides.
The irony here is that by creating a nutrient-rich soil bed for our fruits, vegetables, and flowers to thrive in, we’ve also sent an open invitation for weeds to join the party. The truth is, most weeds are harmless, no matter how annoying they are. You can even eat some of them.
However, if you’ve made up your mind to have a weed-free garden, let’s at least talk about things you shouldn’t use and what you can replace them with.
Most Common Weed Killers And Why They’re Dangerous
Paraquat
One of the most well-known weed killers ingredients goes by the name Paraquat and used to be found in dozens of weed killers on shelves in garden centers everywhere. The use of Paraquat in the US is now limited to commercial entities that hold a special license. While that’s better, it’s still not good.
Exposure to Paraquat can manifest as symptoms as minor as shortness of breath to lifelong diseases, such as Parkinson’s. In fact, the link between this weed killer and Parkinson’s is so strong that law offices, such as Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, have filed several class-action lawsuits to provide compensation to people who developed the disease as a result of exposure to Paraquat.
Glyphosate
Most commonly known as Roundup, Glyphosate is a chemical often used commercially on crops like soybeans and corn, but it also finds its way into our own backyards. You know those pesky dandelions you can’t stand? If you’ve ever blasted them with a squirt of Roundup, you’ve added Glyphosate to your yard. Trying to keep the weeds from taking over your garden? Chances are you’ve tried a brand of pesticide that contains this chemical as well.
Glyphosate is linked to cancer, organ damage, and reproductive system damage. Even if you don’t touch it, breathing in the vapors on a regular basis or eating food that is commercially treated with this chemical can be damaging over a period of time.
2,4-D
Wait, what? Yeah, I’d never heard of it either. I bet my last dollar that you’ve heard of Agent Orange, though. While 2,4-D isn’t Agent Orange, it IS one of the chemicals found in it. Why, then, is it still one of the most widely used ingredients used in herbicides today?
With over 1,000 products containing this chemical, the only way to know what to avoid is by looking at the label. By law, companies in the US must identify the use of 2,4-D in their product.
The reason it hasn’t been banned completely is that there’s not enough evidence. Studies do show, however, that there is a strong connection to fertility issues and thyroid malfunction. Why would the EPA approve the use of Roundup containing 2,4-D? Money, that’s why. But that’s another conversation altogether.
What Can You Use Instead?
The saying goes “you don’t know what you don’t know”. Well, now you know and now you can do better. For the health and safety of you, your family, and your pets, not to mention the environment, let’s explore healthier alternatives to ridding your garden of weeds.
Natural Weed Killer
One of the most highly recommended organic weed killer solutions is a mix of
1 gallon white vinegar
1 cup of salt
1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
Using a spray bottle, whip these ingredients together and spray on the leaves of whatever ails your garden. It is recommended to apply at the sunniest time of day for the best results. The formula will act quickly and those pesky invaders will start to brown and wilt. You’ll still have to pull them, though, because this weed killer doesn’t soak into the roots. The benefit is that it also minimizes the chance of killing your prized azaleas.
Corn Gluten
This natural by-product of ethanol manufacturing is nitrogen-rich, which is great for garden soil. For the best results, apply this no sooner than 6 weeks prior to planting. It’s non-selective, so if you plant too soon after application, it will likely kill whatever you were hoping to grow.
Burnout
Burnout is a non-toxic solution of clove oil and citric acid. While it will kill grass, it breaks down quickly in garden soil and can be used as soon as 24 hours prior to planting. It’s also safe for pets.
Good old-fashioned weed barriers
While it requires a little more work on the front end, you can drastically decrease the time spent on your hands and knees by putting down an organic mulch or burlap. The trick is to lay it down heavily in areas between seeded rows to minimize the amount of sunlight that reaches the weed seeds. See what I did there? It won’t completely eradicate them, but it will cut down on the time you spend pulling them.
Listen, I want my garden time to be spent tending to the things I put there on purpose, not crawling around making sure I got the roots of that nasty crabgrass. Avoiding harmful chemicals and replacing them with eco-friendly methods is simple. And if all else fails, I heard that kids like to earn money, and weeds around my neck of the woods go for up to $5.00 a bushel. I’m just saying.
This was a great article to read on what not to use in a garden and the alternatives that are safe. Thabnks for all this information.
I decided years ago that I would rather have some weeds and not use toxins in my yard. I use the natural weed killer recipe that you listed. Works like a charm. Thanks for all of this helpful information.
Good info on what NOT to use and what to use. I don’t have a garden.