Selective weed control: what kills weeds, but not plants in the vegetable garden
Weeds compete with vegetables with nutrients, water and sunlight, and acute chemical herbicides can damage both. Fortunately, there are many natural and organic solutions that kill weeds, but do not grow and assist maintain a well, productive garden.
In this guide, we will review effective ecological herbicides and other integrated approaches to keep weeds without harm.
1. Natural and organic herbicide options
Vinegar solutions
Household vinegar contains acetic acid, which dries and kills adolescent annual weeds after contact. To get the best results:
- Apply 10-20% garden vinegar (stronger than kitchen vinegar) in a bottle with a sprayer.
- Apply to a bright, peaceful day, spraying only weed leaves to avoid a drift for vegetables.
- Cuttings and miniature weeds. Mature weeds may require many treatments.
- Pros and disadvantages: rapidly working and without chemicals, but it can burn the desired plants if there are excessive protection and may require repetitive applications.
Gluten corn
A corn gluten meal works as a premature herbicide, preventing weed seed germination without damage to established plants:
- Submit an application in early spring and overdue summer.
- Under water, lightly turn it in the soil.
- Benefits: also adds some nitrogen to the soil; Secure around transplants and perennials.
- Restrictions: it does not kill existing weeds, it is best to prevent recent ones.
Salt and soap mixtures
A plain DIY spray can cope with weeds in cracks and paths without harming garden beds:
- Mix 1 gallon water + 1 cup of salt + 1 tablespoon of liquid soap.
- Only unwanted weeds. Salt can accumulate and damage soil health if it is abused.
- Note: Avoid rafting to vegetables to prevent soil supply.
Herbicides of crucial oils
Oils derived from plants such as clove and citrus contain compounds (e.g. Eugenol, D -imonen), which break down the cell membranes of weeds under contact:
- Dilute according to the label instructions, usually oil 1-3 ounces on a gallon of water with a surfactant.
- Spray directly on the weed list on a hot, bright day.
- Advantages: quick knocking and biodegradable, with a minimal blow to the soil.
2. Unbearable weed removal techniques
Mulching
Organic litter (straw, wooden chips, leaf mold) block delicate, suppress germination and save moisture. Apply your garden to map where to treat 2-4 inches litter around vegetable beds, leaving space around the stems.
Hand -healing and motive
It flows regularly shallow (1-2 inches depth) or manually spreading the weeds, when the soil is saturated, it disturbs the seedlings before the end. Follow your Pielenia schedule and successes in the garden manager so that you know which beds require additional attention.
Thermal sparkle
Tools such as fiery weeds or sizzling sprayers can burn weeds in paths or in gravel areas without chemicals. Always practice safety and avoid exposure of vegetable roots to extreme heat.
3. Weed management strategies
Cultivation rotation and cover cultivation
Turn vegetable families every season to interfere with weed life cycles. Salt cultivation plants such as clover or roy in decayed beds. These weed results enrich the soil and can be grown as a green manure.
Hefty and strategic planting
Using the garden planner, design systems outside to remove weeds. Speedy growing crops (radish, lettuce) planted between slower ones, act like a lively litter.
Accompanying planting
Some herbs and flowers (e.g. mint, marigolds) can suppress specific weeds and pests. Record successful combinations in the garden manager to repeat in future seasons.
4. The best practices of unthreatening, effective control
- Targeting point treatment: Always splash herbicide solutions only to weeds, not throughout the beds.
- Time is everything: Treat weeds at the seedling stage to get maximum influence.
- Protect soil health: Turn the types of herbicides and turn on organic matter to maintain beneficial microorganisms.
- Monitor and customize: Apply Gardenai to diagnose persistent weed problems and get adapted tips on “What kills weeds, but not plants” for your region and the type of soil.
Application
By combining natural herbicides, such as vinegar, corn gluten meal and crucial oils with cultural practices (mulching, crop rotation) and mechanical methods (weeds of hand, thermal weed), you can effectively answer what kills weeds, but not plants in the plant garden. Plan your treatments at Hortisetch, follow the progress in the garden manager and obtain your organic weed control reserves through our suppliers catalog.
Do not forget to share your wins in the field of weeds in our gardening community and inspire other selective weed management strategies!