Gardeners experience something of a lottery in terms of the weed control problem they inherit. So when you have better things to do than spend time on weed control you want an easy solution - Find Products Further Down.

Soil was ready for grass seed - but no time to spare. So I'm happy to let this perfumed mint spread rampantly. It keeps masses of weed seedlings down. Later I'll easily lift it out wholesale with a fork.

But first let's remember:- doing nothing is no opt-out if done when and where it suites you. Yes, go one step at a time. Of course you want a beautiful garden!

But if you really don't have time to tackle a large patch that doesn't affect cultivated areas, leave it and don't worry. Growing roots improve drainage and bind soil - scythe weeds down for composting before seeds disperse.

That's why the weed control chemicals mentioned here are intended for small hard to deal with areas. Don't apply deadly weed killer to a large area of garden. Remember: sterile weed killed land stagnates.

Another passive weed control method is sheet mulch. Once you get it under control A recurrant weed problem will soon fade away with mulch, gardening tools and persistance - it's true!

However, on land around your cultivated plants you may need a fast solution such as one of the natural weed controllers that I will describe below. Paths, drives, rock gardens, lawns can be difficult. Disabled gardeners may also appreciate these products.

Here I describe 3 branded products made with natural organic material that will fight your war on weeds. But how can 'chemicals' have a place in the organic gardener's weed control armoury? see link.

WOW a Feed and Weed substance. click here

BURNOUT an organic acid spray to scorch and kill weeds. click here

A Fatty Acid Soap spray to dissolve and kill weeds click here

It's important to know how they work and how to use them.

WOW kills grass seedlings unlike selective weed killers

Save the Hoe - Reduce Weed Seedlings When Planting & On Flakey Lawns

WOW!r Plus Pre-Emergence Weed Control & Fertilizer Also feeds & weeds vegetable beds

ORGANIC WEED CONTROL THAT PREVENTS SEEDLINGS ROOTING
"Wow®" (without weeds) prevents seedling root growth at the time of germination. The dry weather kills them off. It doesn't effect established plants, but it does release nitrogen as fertilizer - the best of both worlds.

WOW WILL REDUCE THESE WEEDS
crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, smartweed, dandelions, redroot pigweed, purslane, lambsquarter, foxtail, barnyard grass and Bermuda grass.

USE WOW FOR:-

• between transplanted rows of nitrogen hungry crops: lettuces, brassicas, onions, leeks
• to reduce hoeing throughout the season - the hoe usually turns up more weeds
• On flakey lawns where you won't be re-seeding

Note: unlike selective weedkillers WOW prevents grass weeds like crabgrass
• After aerating lawn, or after scaryfying if done in spring
WOW® 4 Bag Value Offer - this stuff greens up lawns - strong grass also fights weeds.
• on beds ready for planting up with flower plants
• Mixed with hay mulch or contaminated compost for top dressing to reduce germinating weeds
• around transplants of small fruit: strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry
• any open area into which you are not sowing seeds but want to prevent weed seedlings from growing - including pots and containers

HOW TO APPLY WOW
Spring just as weeds germinate is the best time to apply WOW. Work it into the top few inches of soil. Application rates of 10 to 20 pounds per 1000 square foot are recommended - that's about 1 to 2 pounds per 11 square yards. Higher rates are even more effective.

WOW needs moist conditions before it can go to work. As the weeds also love a good shower of rain before germination this works well.

But ideal weed killing conditions occur when the emerging weed seedlings encounter a drier period. With virtually no root they can't survive. Note that WOW does not work well under irrigation systems or where the soil is continually moist.

The power of WOW diminishes over time. A second application before the summer recess is advisable. As many weeds germinate in the fall another application at the end of summer will give even better weed control.

Bare in mind that WOW breaks down to release Nitrogen and so boost the growth of established plants. On thin flakey lawns you get a two pronged attack, because growing strong healthy grass is itself an important weed control method in itself.

You can buy a 4 bag offer of Wow powder - ideal for raking in, or on lawns and as granulated Wow for use in drop spreaders.

But what about rooted weeds that are growing up in awkward places. This especially includes weeds in rock gardens, paths and drives, and sometimes among flowers.

Natural Organic Products That Kill Weeds

These weedkillers ARE natural convenient alternatives to nasty herbicides. Convenient that is, for small areas and spot treatments. It is generally agreed that they are non toxic to animals. But you should avoid spraying them on your cultivated plants, (in your eyes or directly at your animals) - of course!

WeedAside contains natural fatty acids. This probably works by partly dissolving plant membranes to allow the cells to leak and dehydrate. Burnout contains vinegar and oils - a blunt way to change the chemistry of cell sap and roots and kill the plants as intended. Reapplication often gives better results. It soon dissipates naturally.

These products tackle quite a wide range of weeds over small areas. Using them doesn't prevent you composting the dead weeds. They break down naturally in the garden.

I don't think these products are available in the E.U. due to bureaucracy surrounding the reclassification for different use the of natural compounds they contain.

BOTTOM GARDEN WEED PATCH - more information and links on weed control

GARDENER'S INTERNET:	MORE ON THIS WEBSITE: More On Controlling Weeds - describes a range of effective control methods: mulches, garden tools, flame-guns, plus different types of weeds Mulch It - keep the soil covered to control weeds & reduce water loss Compost Weeds - turn weeds into rich garden compost to feed your plants Growing Lawns - strong healthy growth keeps lawn weeds & moss down ^ Top of page
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