How to Use Organic Herbicides

 

 

Organic gardening is a great way to be sure that the fruits and vegetables you are eating are safe and healthy. It's also a lot of fun. Using only organic products on your lawn, shrubs, trees, flowers and other landscaping is also a great way to protect the environment and reduce your (and your family's) exposure to harmful chemicals.One hurdle many organic gardeners dread facing though, is controlling weeds without the use of synthetic weed-killers and herbicides. Fortunately, however, there are a number of organic herbicides that work just as well, or even better than synthetic herbicides. Here's how to safely and properly use

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Sprayer
• Mask
• Organic herbicide

Instructions

1. Use Organic Herbicides

   • 1
     Research the type of organic herbicides available that meet your needs.Just as with synthetic herbicides, there are organic herbicides that kill all plants or only specific types of plants. If you are wanting to remove all plants, including those that are not weeds, from an area look for broad-spectrum organic herbicides. If you only want to remove the weeds, but don't want to harm nearby plants, look for organic herbicides that target only invasive weeds.Also consider whether you would benefit more from a pre-germination or post-germination organic weed killer. If you aren't overwhelmed with weeds yet, you may want to consider using a pre-germination organic herbicide to prevent more weeds and simply pull the existing weeds out by the root.
   • 2
     Check the weather forecast.When you use organic herbicides, they typically do not have properties that allow them to remain in place when it rains. Before applying, check the weather to determine whether rain is predicted the day of and the day following application. If possible, apply the organic herbicide when it is not expected to rain for a day or two after application.If you live in an area that receives regular rain, try to apply the organic herbicide when there will be the longest amount of time between rains.
   • 3
     Apply the organic herbicide according to package directions, using gloves, mask and safety precautions.Follow the directions carefully. You don't want to unintentionally hurt the plants you are trying to grow, or hurt yourself. Even though the herbicide is organic, handle it as carefully as a synthetic herbicide, some products can be irritating to the skin and dangerous if they come in direct contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. Just as you wouldn't want to hold an organic jalapeno pepper in your hand and then rub you eyes (even though it's a natural, organic product), you don't want to let organic herbicides harm you or your family.
   • 4
     Monitor the plants or weeds where you have you have applied the organic herbicide to determine the effect.If the plant does not die completely, you may need to make a second application. If the organic herbicide is not having an effect, you may need to try a different product.
   • 5
     Store in a cool, dry place and track the expiration date on your organic herbicide. Because they do not contain synthetic chemicals, many organic herbicides break down and lose effectiveness sooner than their man-made counterparts. They also do not stand up well to extreme temperatures and sudden temperature changes. Store them safely in a cool, dry place. If you find that your herbicide is not working as well as expected, or as well as it used to, check the expiration date, especially if it is left over from a previous season.

 

Posted in: Gardening Basics