5 hours Ago By Katherine McPhillips
Weeds not only make a garden look untidy but also steal sunlight, water, and nutrients from a lawn , so they need to be removed quickly so they do not weaken the grass. It might seem easy to spray your lawn with a chemical weed killer, but this solution will contaminate the soil and harm beneficial pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies Instead, Ross from Lawn and Weed Expert , has urged gardeners to stop spending money on harsh products, as you can turn your lawn into a “weed-free wonderland” using cornmeal. Ross said: “A naturally organic and non-toxic weed suppressant, corn gluten meal is said to prevent weed seeds from germinating without harming the healthy grass, effectively cutting weeds off at the source before they have a chance to ravage your lawn.
” Cornmeal is one of the best natural ways to prevent weeds in spring as it targets weed seeds and prevents them from germinating. This kitchen staple contains proteins that stop weeds from sprouting roots, so your lawn will stay neat and beautiful for the rest of the year. Not only does it remove weeds, but it is a rich source of nitrogen, a nutrient that helps grass convert energy to help grow greener and thicker.
However, the biggest downside to cornmeal is that it also prevents weeds when they are seeds, so if you have weeds popping out in the ground now, it will not be much use. If you need a natural treatment to remove already established weeds, then another simple if unusual way to kill these pesky plants on your lawn is with vodka or gin. Ross said: “While it may seem likely a waste of perfectly good alcohol, both vodka and gin make for surprisingly effective weed killers without killing your grass.
Simply spray onto the desired area and let nature take its course!” It may sound bizarre, but the alcohol draws moisture out of weeds and being so break them down if in the sunlight, so they will quickly die in just a few hours. Ross added: “While this may seem odd, if you’ve ever had a heavy night at a festival and woken up in a hot tent the following morning, you’ll completely understand why. Just try to keep the spray generally aimed at the weeds, as it can have a similar dehydrative effect on flowers too.
” All you need to do is mix one part vodka or gin with six parts water. Make sure the mixture is thoroughly diluted to be safe in case any splashes onto the grass. This natural weed killer will not discriminate between weeds and healthy grass, but it is unlikely to do significant damage if any does spill onto your lawn.
If you wish, you can also add a few drops of washing-up liquid to help the solution stick to the weeds, rather than splashing elsewhere. Pour the solution into an empty spray bottle, then apply a generous amount directly to the weed. Your lawn should remain weed-free for several weeks, allowing you to enjoy the sunny weather in a beautifully maintained garden.
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