Organic Weed Control

A weed is a weed, and that's that? Not so fast! Identification of the particular plant you're battling can pay off handsomely in your attempts to get rid of it. Employ my weed pictures as identification tools, then follow the links I supply to learn more about your green enemy.

Why bother with weed identification? I believe in learning something first about my enemy, before rushing off to battle. In some cases, such research may dissuade me from taking up arms, altogether. But even when I still end up deciding to fight, the research often pays off: I have a battle plan, rather than fighting blindly. It makes a difference in how you fight to learn, for example, whether a weed is annual or perennial.

When beginners hear about "organic weed control," they may initially labor under a misapprehension. So let me reassure you: it's not just about pulling weeds by hand (although occasionally, it does come to that). On the contrary, this article introduces you to smart ways of dealing with weeds.

One does not gaze at pictures of poison ivy because it's pretty (although its fall foliage is impressive), but rather to learn how to identify it. To that end, my pictures show the weed at different stages of development and in different habitats, aiding your weed-control efforts against this landscaping menace.

The raison d'etre of my poison sumac pictures is the same as that for my photos of poison ivy: identification. But poison sumac may be a bit more difficult for the beginner to identify. There's no catchy little rhyme ("leaves of three") to follow here. So take a good look at my close-up shots and steer clear of this itchy monster!

If you don't want a spreading bamboo on your property, it can be one of the toughest "weeds" to control. How do you get rid of bamboo? The best way of getting rid of bamboo is to use multiple tactics, as I discuss in this article. Persistence is required; you will not be able to kill it overnight.

In some cases, plants you've been regarding as nuisances and dubbing "weeds" could just as easily be viewed as "free edible plants." You can save yourself a lot of trouble by changing your perspective. The most efficient and effective control measure against these edible weeds is simply to harvest and eat them, rather than fighting them. Such an approach perhaps represents the ultimate "organic weed control."

I'm not here to tell you to use landscape fabrics indiscriminately. There are gardeners who hate them, arguing that, although they're designed to allow air, water and nutrients through to the soil underneath, they do block some of these essentials. Still, there are plenty of cases where it makes sense to use them, especially if your goal is...

Here's an organic weed-control method that will be especially helpful to those faced with a major landscaping challenge. If you're opening up land that has been overrun by wild plants for years, soil solarization is something you may wish to look into as a first step in transforming that wild patch into a garden.

Here's the bad news: stinging nettles are so called because they bear tiny barbs that, upon contact with your flesh, cause discomfort. Now for the good news: stinging nettles' rhizomes aren't nearly as difficult to eradicate as those of Japanese knotweed, for example. Some gardeners even grow them intentionally and harvest and cook them as one...

Here's a natural weed killer that's available right off the kitchen shelf! To be sure, as I explain in my article, you can buy a more specialized product if you're really serious; but begin by experimenting with what you have on hand. Vinegar is a non-selective herbicide, so use it with caution!

How you feel about dandelions -- after being properly informed about them -- is a good indicator of whether or not you can be persuaded to adopt a more relaxed approach toward lawn weed control, in general. That's because dandelions have a lot going for them, being nutritious and not that bad to look at. In case you still wish to kill them, though, I offer tips to that end in this article, too.

Ragweed is another matter altogether. That is, unlike dandelions, there are no good qualities to recommend it, and the plant is downright harmful to those who are plagued by hay fever. If you've experienced fall allergies for years and are still blaming it on that old scapegoat, goldenrod, then you need to read either this article or the following one!

If you've read the article from the prior entry, you now know what giant ragweed is. Now meet his little brother, common ragweed. Of the two, common ragweed is more likely to be lurking somewhere in your yard, ready to take you on a "hay ride" in fall -- straight to your medicine cabinet! Find out what this sneaky weed looks like.

There are a number of ways to address your crabgrass issue within the parameters of organic weed control, some more feasible than others. One is to use an organic preemergent herbicide called "corn gluten"; but the average person may find it difficult to locate this product. You could also just dig out crabgrass as you see it. But this weed hides pretty well. Promoting overall lawn health is the best solution.

Poison oak (Rhus diversilobum) is part of that dreaded triumvirate that also includes poison ivy and poison sumac (see above). In this article I introduce poison oak, in terms of what it is, where it's found, and -- most importantly -- how to get rid of it.

If you've tried to eradicate creeping charlie from your landscape, you may think you know this lawn weed well. But this plant has a long and rich history of usage that preceded its notoriety as an invasive weed. Discover creeping charlie weed's use as a medicinal herb and a brewing ingredient.

This is mainly a profile of moss as a groundcover that can be quite useful in landscaping. But I do provide tips for eradicating it from lawns, for the benefit of those who consider it a "lawn weed." The growth of moss on lawns is a telltale sign of what a lawn is lacking; thus, "lawn weed" or not, it serves a valuable function.

Edible purslane, a common lawn and garden weed, is identified in this article. Purslane's use as a gourmet food is discussed, supplemented by a recipe link. And purslane's health benefits are detailed as well. Think twice before killing this edible weed!

It's easy to succumb to bittersweet's charms. With golden autumn leaves and bright orange berries with golden husks, it's something of a dream come true for craft enthusiasts and admirers of harvest colors. But before falling in love with a bittersweet vine, find out first if it's the American version or Oriental bittersweet; otherwise, you may...

As recently as the 1950s, clover was included in mixed bags of lawn seed. So why are herbicides now being sold to kill it? Hear the arguments in favor of re-thinking the grass lawn and against clover's identification as a "weed." These more serious reflections are preceded by a lighthearted look at the difference between shamrocks and four-leaf clovers.

Most of my poison ivy articles help you identify it, so you can be cautious and avoid this weed -- and thereby avoid the rash it causes. For the more ambitious, I offer advice on killing it. But this article is written for neither the cautious nor the ambitious; rather, it offers advice for the victim who has just been exposed to poison ivy!

Yellow dock is listed as an invasive weed in some U.S. states. But this is one invasive that's not all bad. Those interested in home remedies will be glad to hear that dock juice is an effective remedy against the sting of another common weed. Besides, dock rarely becomes a great nuisance in the residential landscape.

How do you kill Oriental bittersweet? Rather than suggesting a simple answer, I recommend a multi-pronged attack. For, short of calling in a landscaping crew and starting a new landscape from scratch (and who can afford that?), the best solution is to pour it on against bittersweet from all sides and remain steadfast in the struggle.

If you're serious about organic weed control, then you'll eventually take a look at some green lawn care and gardening products and see which ones make the most sense for your circumstances. These green product reviews are a good place to begin your research.

Freed from the insect pests that kept it under control in its native Japan, Kudzu vine is out of control in the southeastern U.S. It's a story that parallels Japanese knotweed's spread. Discover the details on this weed pest: history, uses and eradication attempts.