Natural Weed Prevention
Ditch the chemical sprays this gardening season and switch to more organic ways of minimizing weeds. Below, you will see a list of natural ways you can keep weeds at bay.
- Spread mulch in your garden to retain moisture and to help prevent weed growth. First, make sure that your garden is free of weeds. Next, select an organic mulch such as wood chips, shredded leaves, straw, bark, grass clippings or pine needles to sprinkle throughout your flowerbed. You will need a layer that is approximately 2-3 inches thick. Ensure not to place mulch directly against plant stalks or tree trunks, as it can cause decay and disease. Mulch assists in weed prevention through weed suffocation. It is also beneficial for gardens because it gradually decomposes over time, which makes your soil more fertile. You may want to avoid wood mulch, as it absorbs nitrogen from the soil in order to breakdown. In return, this takes away nitrogen and other nutrients from reaching your plants.
- Although it can be a pain, hand weeding can be very effective, especially if you remove weeds from the root! If you do hand weed, make sure to have a pointy tool (such as a screwdriver) that can assist you in digging down right to the root. Weeds that are simply half-heartedly pulled will come back in no time!
- Use boiling water to kill the roots of weeds. Boil a kettle of water and then carefully pour it over weeds, which will help to kill their roots’ systems. However, you must be diligent not to burn yourself in the process and to avoid pouring boiling water onto your plants by accident.
- Regular white vinegar can kill weeds in your garden by burning them. Conversely, use it sparingly as it can disrupt the natural pH levels in the soil due to its high acidity. Moreover, vinegar can be harmful to insects and to critters in the soil, such as earthworms. Therefore, if you choose to spray vinegar, only use a bit. Also, take care not to spray other plants in your garden. Weeds should die within 24 hours.
- Avoid using DIY weedkiller recipes that contain salt. Believe it or not, salt is harmful to soil and plants. Although it is natural, salt is toxic when taken up by the roots of plants and can stunt their growth and cause other undesirable issues.
Rid Your Garden of Pests Without Pesticides
There’s nothing more annoying than going out to your garden and discovering that some pest has invaded and destroyed your beautiful plant(s)! In this section, I will share some natural tips & tricks that you can use to deter common pests.
- Use compost in your garden so that your plants can be strong, healthy, and more resistant to pests. Plants that are doing well are less susceptible to infestations.
- Plant catnip in your garden. It helps attract predator wasps that attack aphids.
- Spray essential oils like peppermint, citronella, or rosemary to deter pests like aphids, mosquitos, and spider mites. (Recipe: Add 10-15 drops of essential oil into a spray bottle along with one litre of water. Next, add a few drops of liquid castile soap and shake the bottle. Spray the mixture onto plants every few days to prevent infestations.)
- Plant dill and marigolds together to help repel common pests. Remember, companion planting can also assist in pest prevention.
- Use a simple liquid castile soap mix and spray it on your plants in the morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler. (Recipe: Add one tablespoon of liquid castile soap to two cups of water in a spray bottle and shake.)
Natural Fertilizers & Organic Compost
Keeping up on garden maintenance can really help your plants thrive! But, is there a difference between fertilizers and organic compost, or do they do the same thing? When in doubt, always read flower information labels to better understand what they need to succeed. Not all plants require the same treatment.
- Organic Compost: Used to improve overall soil quality, which directly benefits plant health and growth. It can also better soil drainage, aeration, and moisture retention. If you’re starting a new garden, compost is an essential first step. Some organic composts include: dried leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds / loose-leaf tea, and decomposed vegetable and fruit peelings.
- Natural Fertilizer: Used to supply soil and plants with key nutrients. Plants require 16 nutrients for ultimate growth, three of which are provided naturally (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen). Sometimes, flowers need extra help to succeed and that’s where fertilizer comes into play. For example, annuals often require more fertilization because they continuously bloom and complete their life-cycles in one season. Therefore, they need a lot of nutrients. On the other hand, perennials generally do not demand as much fertilization. In fact, over fertilizing can cause perennials to grow too much and become floppy. Additionally, excess fertilization can lead to more foliage growth and less flowering. So again, it’s always important to read labels and to watch your plants carefully. Some types of natural fertilizers include: barnyard manure, blood meal, and blood meal.
- It is important to note that compost and fertilizer should not be used in place of each other because they have different functions for your garden. As mentioned above, compost improves overall soil quality, where fertilizer provides key nutrients to soil composition as well as to your plants.
