Weeds are not welcome in almost any garden. Everywhere it should be eradicated. There are a variety of methods. They are often used depending on the location of the weed plants. It is easier to get rid of weeds between the paving stones and patio tiles than in the lawn or in the gravel bed. Chemical weed killers make things pretty easy, you spray them on the plants and they usually die off fairly reliably. Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that they should only be used in absolutely exceptional cases. In this guide, we will show you how to control weeds biologically.
Table of Contents
Controversial means
Round Up and Co. are not so controversial for nothing. They damage the environment, microorganisms and can also be dangerous for humans and pets. In addition, the weeds are not stupid and develop resistance to the poisons. They become ineffective against the plants, but still have the same negative effects on the environment. For me, these herbicides are for the lazy, people who need everything to happen quickly, who prefer a tidy garden to nature in balance. It’s a matter of opinion and everyone has to decide for themselves what is important.
What is biological weed killer?
If you want to control weeds biologically, you can use natural enemies to reduce a weed population. One wants to get weeds under control with the help of nature, through its ecological interrelationships. So you work with nature and not against it.
livestock
Farm animals offer the simplest form of biological weed control. A very simple example of this: you keep one or more sheep and they eat the weeds, or the flowers and seeds, and so weeds are reduced. It usually takes a while, but then the weeds are so exhausted by the stress that they disappear. Of course, grazing does not only have advantages, especially not uncontrolled grazing, but that is another topic. In addition to sheep, cattle, horses, goats, geese and ducks are also suitable for the method of grazing weeds.
Insects are also used worldwide in commercial cultivation, whether beetles, butterflies, equal-winged insects and hymenoptera. Even mites can help against weeds. Nematodes are not only used against pests in nature, but also against weeds.
bioherbicides
I haven’t worked with either of these tools myself, but watched a neighbor do it for a while last year. You definitely save yourself the gym. Joint brushes usually have a long handle, so you don’t have to bend down like that, but you still have to press hard. The work goes better if the weight is shifted a bit, if you bend forward quite far, more strength is simply used. The work goes better. It’s still a hassle, depending on how many weeds need to be removed. Removing moss from the joints is really exhausting, energy-consuming and time-consuming. The joint scraper isn’t any easier to use either. But the work doesn’t go much faster either. I think both devices are more suitable for small areas.
It is very difficult to work with these methods in beds or in the lawn. You have to approach it differently.
Weeds in open areas in the garden
Biological control of weeds in open areas is clearly more complex than between stones. Usually there are plants next door that absolutely have to survive. Boiling water, high-pressure cleaners, fire and other methods are no longer necessary. Salt and vinegar may be used in open areas, but again there is the problem that neighboring plants are also killed. Weeding is still best, regularly and thoroughly. It doesn’t hurt anyone, except maybe your own back, and it’s effective. If you have larger areas, you should come up with something else, there are definitely alternatives.
Manual weed control
Wherever the hot water method doesn’t work, I simply weed it. I have to admit though, we don’t have a very big garden. If it were different, I would have to come up with something better.
Weeds are best pulled out of moist soil. Then he is more relaxed. Otherwise, something is chopped, everything is simply loosened up, the weeds are grabbed as far down as possible and pulled out. It is important to rip it out together with the root so that no new plant can form from root remains. It’s enough that new weed plants keep growing as a result of bringing in seeds, you don’t have to get more because you can’t weed properly.
Weed puller or dandelion puller
A weed puller helps to grab the weeds by the roots. Plants such as dandelions, which can have incredibly long roots, can be easily and reliably pulled out of the ground with this device. You dig into the soil right next to the root as deep as you can, lever the tool left and right a few times to loosen the soil, and then pull out the root and digger together.
alternatives
You can also suppress weeds. Ground cover in beds is well suited to prevent weeds from spreading. Even on mulched areas, these plants do not have it easy. It will be significantly less. You can mulch in different ways, it doesn’t always have to be bark mulch, because some plants don’t like it.
Conclusion
Weeds can be annoying. It will still take some time before the really biological control in the home or small garden area. There are already good biological remedies against pests such as aphids, but research is still being done on weeds. Despite the lack of biological control agents, one does not have to resort to chemicals. I’m always shocked how many hobby gardeners are convinced of the harmlessness of chemical weed killers and defend them vehemently. What’s so bad about pulling weeds? You waste so much time on pointless activities, there is no more time for the weeds. Then the spray bottle is used. I love gardening and I don’t mind the weeds. It is regularly weeded and there is not much left under the mulch anyway. I’d wish, that not so much chemicals are used in our gardens, because mostly we can do without. Just think about it!
