Gardening Basics
Weeds
Weeds are typically plants that are growing in the wrong place. Rather than spraying them, you may want to dig them up and replant them in a different area of the garden. For example any grass I find growing in the border, I pull up and plant in a hole in the lawn where I've dug up a dandelion.
Weeds need to be removed as they compete with plants for moisture, light and food.
Don't put weeds that have gone to seed on the compost heap, burn them or put them in the bin. Some seeds may survive the hot temperatures in a compost heap and germinate when the compost is used in the garden.
Weed killers fall into three categories.
- Systemic - the chemicals are absorbed through the leaves of weeds, killing the plant as it travels though to the roots.
- Contact - chemical kills the leaves and stems of weeds on contact.
- Residual - forms a waxy coating over the leaves and stems, preventing photosynthesis.
Methods of applying chemical weed killers:
Spraying - Quite a few weed killers are available pre-mixed. For those that need diluting, follow the guidelines on the packet. Adding extra concentrate doesn't kill the plant any quicker, it means that you will have to buy more, sooner. Only mix up the amount that you are likely to need, any excess is unlikely to be effective when you come to use it again. Use a separate spray bottle for weed killers and for misting plants and clearly label the weed killer spray bottle. I've got two spray bottles from Hozelock, I don't know if it is a design feature by Hozelock, but one has a red top and the other green.
To prevent spray over, cover nearby plants and only spray on calm, still days. To make the spraying as effective as possible try to apply when rain isn't forecast for a couple of days.
Application by hand - For those really stubborn weeds put on a marigold glove, then a fabric glove and dip your hand in the systemic weed killer. Grasp the bottom of the weed and draw your hand up the plant crushing the leaves as you go. This makes the weed take up the chemicals more readily.
Other methods of weed control include:
Hand weeding - most effective, very accurate, but hard work.
Hoeing - cutting the leaves and stems of weeds at ground level, preventing photosynthesis and making them weak so that they die, accurate but needs doing regularly.
Burning with blow torch - the high temperature kills the whole plant, not very accurate and can be expensive if a large area has to be cleared.
Chemical treatment - very effective, can be harmful to the environment, other neighbouring plants and poisonous to animals and children. Care must be taken when disposing of the weeds.
