Comments on: Organic Weed Control – How to Kill Weeds Without Harmful Chemicals

By: Rochelle

Rochelle — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:33:07 +0000

In our vegetable gardens, we use thick layers of straw. You still have to pull the occasional weed, but it isn’t terrible. Grow a cover crop in fall (buckwheat, clover, etc). It adds nutrients back into the soil and keeps most weeds from taking seed. In the spring, till it all under and start over.
I used to use weedcloth and the straw method works so much better. Plus, it is more aesthetically pleasing.
I am definately going to try the vinegar for some areas that are infested with johnson grass.

Thank you for the great topic.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:12:12 +0000

Has anyone heard of throwing down table sugar for weed control? I’ve read only one article so far about it. The theory is sugar will feed the micro-organisms,thus enrich the soil. Weeds do not favor this environment. Any thoughts?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:22:19 +0000

I know it’s a chemical, but does Formaldehyde kill weeds? When Coke (as in Coca-Cola) heats up, a chemical reaction occurs with the artificial flavors and sweeteners in it and they turn into Formaldehyde, and that’s a cheap, quick solution if it works to kill weeds. I’m just going to use it on driveway cracks, but I don’t want to waste some good, tasty Coke if it doesn’t work. Thanks!

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:17:38 +0000

I discuss this kind of thing in depth in my ebook, but a few quick suggestions – mow kind of low (1.5″), rake sedum out vigorously and thoroughly with a sturdy metal rake (the Garden Shark rake works well), then topdress with 1/2 inch compost and begin mowing lawn in future on a taller setting, preferably 3″. Try Ortho EcoSense organic lawn weed killer which is made of iron (available in US and Canada except California) and try that on any stragglers. And get your lawn healthy and thick enough to out-compete the sedum in future. I wrote about 15 pages covering this type of situation in my ebook, so this is just a few quick thoughts. I hope it’s helpful! Weeds in lawns can be very tough.

http://www.northcoastgardening.com/organic-weed-control-guide/

By: Iva KInisch

Iva KInisch — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:07:09 +0000

We have yellow ground cover sedum coming up all through our lawn. How can we get rid of it without killing the grass?

By: Argia Designs

Argia Designs — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:35:20 +0000

There are numerous studies showing Roundup to be incredibly unsafe (carcinogenic, mutagenic, respiratory irratant, etc.) The wikipedia article for glyphosate has numerous citations to back that up. It is not always the glyphosate itself that causes the problems but the surfactants and other “inactive” ingredients that are used in conjunction with the glyphosate, unfortunately the studies generally focus only on glyphosate and not the other ingredients that are used with it.
In addition, the FDA has twice found that scientific studies that were commissioned by Monsanto have been falsified to support Monsanto’s claim. (US EPA Communications and Public Affairs 1991 Press Advisory. EPA lists crops associated with pesticides for which residue and environmental fate studies were allegedly manipulated. Washington DC Mar 29)
One of the most famous studies by Williams, Munro, et al. is highly criticized since Munro’s company Cantox Health Sciences is known for whitewashing the toxic effects of Agent Orange, another Monsanto product.(Dominion 2007).

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:52:01 +0000

Round up is not organic weed control.
I agree that Glyphosate does not stick around too long but if you read label, then 99% of the contents are called Surfactants.
Surfactants help Glyphosate stick around longer. which is why it works.
There have been studies where Glyphosate was reported to cause genetic abnormalities in tadpoles in the ponds nearby where Glyphosate was used along with surfactants.
Please educate yourself completely before using a product. people can say anything they want!
Thank you

By: Terrin

Terrin — Fri, 20 May 2011 01:49:16 +0000

It seems odd to bring up Round Up in a post talking about Organic Weed Control. Even if Round Up was relatively safe, when you purchase Round Up you are supporting Monsanto, a company which is doing everything in its power to destroy natural gardening by developing genetically modified seeds that can’t reproduce and suing organic farmers when the genetically modified seeds blow onto their property.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 20:58:23 +0000

Kirsti,

Clover is essential for your lawn, because it takes nitrogen from the air and places it under ground to “feed” your lawn. Before scientists invented broadleaf killers in the 1950s, clover was actually part of the lawn seeding mix you would spread.

Many environmental-conscious gardeners recommend that you mix in 5% clover seed in your lawn seed to prevent the need for manual (or, *gasp* chemical) application of nitrogen.

**just my two cents.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:58:53 +0000

I can not imagine someone on an organic garden site suggesting that anyone use Roundup. There is clear evidence now that it is still present in soil after THREE years, in my opinion that is not a quick break down. It also kills the microbes in your soil. Please read the info below!

Glysophate and Surfactants
Glyphosate is a broad spectrum herbicide and a main active ingredient in Roundup. A surfactant is a chemical that helps glyphosate to penetrate tough plant cells. Both chemicals are toxic to humans and animals. Together, their toxicity increases exponentially.

Microorganisms
According to Robert Kremer, a microbiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, glyphosate changes soil composition and disrupts the normal balance of microorganisms in the soil, leading to an increase in fungal growth and harmful bacteria.

Nitrogen
Plants such as legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil by relying on the beneficial bacteria rhizobia. The glyphosate in Roundup inhibits rhizobia, preventing the natural and necessary addition of nitrogen to the soil.

Persistence
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called the glyphosate in Roundup “extremely persistent” because of its lengthy half life (the time it takes for half of the amount of glyphosate applied to break down). In studies from around the world, glyphosate has been present in the soil up to three years after the initial application.