2 Easy Ways To Destroy Weed-Ridden Areas
When you buy a house, you might be more concerned with the functionality of the space and overall square footage than you are about the backyard. Unfortunately, some homeowners don't have the time or physical capabilities to care for their yard, which might leave you with a huge project on your hands. If you are left staring at large, overgrown weeds encumbering your flowerbeds, don't bury your head in your hands just yet. Here are two easy ways to destroy weed-ridden areas, so that you can make your new yard majestic:
1: Try Passive Solar Heating
Wouldn't it be nice if you could put something over those weeds, ignore them for awhile, and then simply pick them up off of the ground after they are all dead? Although it might sound like a daydream, you might be able to take care of your weeds this way by using passive solar heating.
Plants rely on a delicate ecosystem to thrive in your garden. If you alter their ability to remain a stable temperature, they will die. Passive solar heating helps you to harness the heat-generating UV rays from the sun and use them to destroy frustrating weeds. To do this, all you need to do is place a thick, clear plastic sheet over the affected area. To allow heat to build under the sheet, bury the edges of the plastic with the surrounding soil. Secure the plastic with heavy rocks to keep it from blowing away. For optimal results, leave the sheet in place for 4-6 weeks while you worry about other things.
Although this tactic might seem simple, passive solar heating is incredibly effective. In fact, solar heating can warm the top six inches of your soil to upwards of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to destroying weeds, this heat can also sanitize the soil and eradicate troublesome pathogens.
2: Use A Landscaping Torch
Fire has been used for thousands of years to control crops and to enrich soil. Unfortunately, unless you live in the middle of nowhere and your house is a long ways away from your garden, it might not be safe to set your yard on fire. However, you might be able to eradicate those weeds safely by using a landscaping torch.
Landscaping torches, typically powered by propane, allow you to douse weeds in flames in a controlled manner. Torches can instantly heat weeds to over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, bursting cell walls and disrupting the plant's growth cycle. After being flame-kissed, those weeds will shrivel and die in a few hours, making your job easy. Here are a few tips for clearing weeds with a landscaping torch:
- Check With the Authorities: Before you track down a torch and start throwing flames, check with your local fire department. If your area is experiencing a severe drought and you could endanger other people, torching weeds might be banned in your community.
- Keep A Running Hose Nearby: When you are busy burning weeds, it isn't always easy to spot dropped paper or dried grass. If a small fire starts suddenly, you will want a quick way to smother those flames. Keep a running hose near the area where you will be working so that you can handle surprise problems.
- Work Slowly: Instead of rushing through the process, work deliberately and slowly. Don't move on to another weed until the previous one has stopped smoking. Otherwise, you might unintentionally leave behind glowing embers that could start a fire.
In addition to destroying your weeds, torching is also great for your soil. After noxious plants have been reduced to their basic carbon forms, nitrogen can leach back into the earth, naturally fertilizing the area.
Taking the time to remove noxious weeds can help you to start gardening with a blank canvas, so that you can transform the space into what you want.
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