8 Natural Remedies & Herbicide Options to Kill Weeds Permanently
Get Rid of Texas Weeds for As Long As Possible
Weeds are the most common source of annoyance for Texas homeowners who take pride in their yard. The ideal lawn is devoid of weeds, but how can weeds be permanently eradicated? You can kill most weeds, but nothing will stop them from coming back. Thick turf also slows down the rate at which weeds germinate.
Seeds can lie dormant in your soil for years, awaiting the opportunity to sprout. Long-term control is achievable, though. By fertilizing the turf to make it thicker and blocking sunlight from reaching soil seeds, the intention is to interfere with their growth cycles and consistently prevent them from gaining a foothold.
In addition to trusting the professionals at GroGreen, you can more effectively fight back against weeds with the information below. Keep reading to learn more about eight natural remedies and an overview of herbicide options.
Common Weeds in Dallas
Although weeds are a nationwide headache, the particular types that infiltrate your lawn are impacted by the soil and climate in your area. Accurate identification is the first step toward effective control for Midwest homeowners. We’ve put together a guide to the most prevalent and problematic weeds in Dallas, TX to help you in customizing your lawn care plan.
Crabgrass: A coarse, grassy annual that thrives in our long summers and full sun. It crowds out your nice grass by spreading out in a star-like pattern.
Nutsedge: A perennial pest that thrives in the area’s heat and humidity, nutsedge is one of the most common weeds in the South. Your clue is that distinctive triangular stem.
Dandelions: The well-known enemy with yellow flowers. They’re resilient due to deep taproots, and their puffballs guarantee that their seeds spread far and wide.
Spurge: A dense mat-forming, low-growing summer annual. This typical southern weed is frequently found in troubled lawn areas and grows best in full sun and poor, compacted soil.
Dallisgrass: A hardy, clumping grassy weed that sticks out like a sore thumb and has a distinctive, coarse texture. It returns year after year because it’s perennial.
Natural Remedies to Kill Weeds
Perhaps you’re only dealing with a small patch in a garden bed or you’re not ready to use chemicals. Although these natural techniques have limitations, they can be surprisingly effective.
- Vinegar-Based Weed Killers
The 5% acetic acid in household vinegar may not cut it. Horticultural vinegar (20–30% acetic acid) is the stronger stuff you need. Spray it directly on a sunny day after mixing it with a tablespoon of salt and a squirt of dish soap to help it adhere to the leaves. Since it’s a contact killer, deep roots might not be killed, but the foliage will be.
- Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka
It’s true! Weeds can be dried out with a spray bottle mixture that contains one ounce of vodka (or rubbing alcohol), two cups of water, and a few drops of dish soap. The alcohol exposes the plant’s waxy layer to the sun, so sunny days are ideal for this weed remedy to work well.
- Salt Treatments
We know what you’re thinking: “Salt as a weed killer!?” Yes, you can kill a weed by placing a pinch of rock salt at its base. The problem is that salt sterilizes soil over time. Never use it in your garden beds or lawn unless you want nothing to grow there for months. It works great for driveways and in between pavers.
- Corn Gluten Meal
Did you know that corn gluten meal is a naturally occurring byproduct that prevents seeds from germinating? Before weeds appear in the early spring, sprinkle it on your lawn. However, don’t use it in your vegetable garden or in areas you’ve just seeded because it stops seeds from sprouting.
- Mulch, Newspaper & Cardboard
In garden beds, a thick layer of mulch halts growth and blocks light. When beginning a larger project, such as a new bed, first lay down cardboard or newspaper, wet it, and then mulch over it. Even the hardest weeds are suppressed beneath by this “sheet mulching” method.
- Boiling Water
The best solution is sometimes the most straightforward one. Weeds in your driveway or sidewalk cracks will be instantly scorched if you pour a kettle of boiling water directly on them. It works incredibly well on young weeds and is completely free of chemicals. Just be mindful of your flowers and grass!
- Flame Weeding
Yes, pyromaniacs, you can literally burn weeds to death with a propane torch. It’s ideal for expansive, non-flammable spaces like gravel pathways. Naturally, you should exercise caution, particularly during drier seasons or in fire-prone areas.
- Dense Turf & Ground Covers
Growing a thick, healthy lawn is the best natural approach to killing weeds (or crowding them out). Of course, watering, fertilizing, and mowing must be done correctly. You could also think about using dense ground covers in garden beds, such as Asiatic jasmine or liriope, which prevent weeds from growing.
Herbicide Varieties for Killing Weeds
For a serious weed infestation in DFW, natural remedies aren’t always sufficient. Herbicides can help with that. Our professional lawn care service truly shines in this area because of our knowledge and expertise in choosing and using the right product. However, knowing the fundamentals is still beneficial.
Selective vs. Non-Selective Herbicides
- Selective Herbicides: These are designed to take out specific types of weeds without harming your desired turfgrass.
- Non-Selective Herbicides: These will kill or damage almost any plant they touch. They’re best reserved for completely clearing an area, treating driveway cracks, or for careful, targeted spot-spraying. In short, they’ll kill grass, so they’re not recommended for use on turf.
Pre-Emergent vs Post-Emergent Herbicides
- Pre-Emergent: They prevent weed seeds from sprouting by forming a barrier in the soil. This proactive approach needs to be timed correctly, applying the herbicide before temperatures rise and weeds begin growing again.
- Post-Emergent: These pertain to weeds that are already visible. They’re sprayed directly onto the leaves of weeds that are actively growing.
Contact vs. Systemic Herbicides
- Contact herbicides: These produce rapid results but occasionally fail to kill the root system because they only kill the parts of the plant that come into contact with them.
- Systemic Herbicides: These give perennial weeds a more complete kill by being absorbed by the leaves and then moving down to the root system.
Killing Weeds Permanently…Is It Doable?
Since resilient weed seeds are always dormant in the soil, waiting to sprout, it’s nearly impossible to have a lawn completely free of weeds. The best course of action is to adopt a consistent, long-term management strategy rather than looking for a quick fix.
Correctly identifying the particular weeds you’re fighting and choosing the right treatment (professional-grade herbicide or a tried-and-true natural remedy) are the two main pillars on which this strategy is based. Disrupting the growth cycle and stopping the emergence of the next generation is the ultimate goal, not just getting rid of the weeds you can see today.
How to Keep Weeds Away
Creating a lawn that actively protects itself is the key to long-lasting weed control, not a single magic cure. Creating an environment that is naturally hostile to weed colonization and growth is the best, long-term solution.
Remember, weeds are opportunistic invaders that take root in grass that’s weak, thinning, or having trouble growing. A healthy lawn, on the other hand, develops a strong root system that outcompetes weed seeds. So how can this robust defense system be created?
Aerate and overseed. When the soil is healthy, strong grass naturally outcompetes weeds. In order to keep intruders out and promote a thicker, more resilient lawn, it is crucial to overseed thin areas.
Apply fertilizer to your lawn. The essential nutrients needed for dense growth and improved resistance to weed invasion are present in a healthy lawn. By purchasing fertilizer, you provide your grass with the resources it needs to prevail more readily.
Smart watering strategies. Just be sure to water sparingly but deeply. This promotes the development of strong, deep roots for your grass. Don’t sprinkle too often. Overwatering promotes shallow roots and provides the moist conditions that weeds prefer.
Mow higher. Increasing the height of your mowing (3″+) helps to shade the soil underneath it. As a result, weed seeds are unable to receive the sunlight they need to sprout. It’s a quick and easy method of warding them off.
Early on, pull small weeds. Although it’s a tough task, it prevents them from dispersing thousands of seeds and causing a much more serious issue the following season.
Considerations for Dallas Homeowners
There’s not a one-size-fits-all set of rules for weeds. Your strategy is determined by your local climate, so the secret to true success is to customize your approach.
Dry Climates: Because a lack of rain won’t wash away vinegar or salt remedies, you run the risk of causing long-term soil damage. Although flame weeding works well, there’s a genuine fire risk, so caution is crucial.
Humid Climates: Everything grows quickly when there’s constant moisture. Pay attention to the physical obstacles. In garden beds, mulch is key for obstructing light. Soil solarization, which involves baking weeds under clear plastic, is a chemical-free method of cleaning your slate with the help of the sun.
Cool-Season Lawns: The seasons are the key to your rhythm. The two main strategies for cool-season grasses are applying a spring pre-emergent before the soil reaches 55°F. Then overseed in the fall to naturally push weeds out with a thick, healthy turf.
Warm-Season Lawns: Weed pressure is an even bigger deal since the growing season for warm-season grasses is longer.
Killing Weeds Forever FAQs
Is bleach suitable to use on weeds?
Bleach kills weeds, but it’s also toxic, damaging almost anything it touches. It should only be used in non-plant areas where weeds are growing, such as between sidewalk cracks or pavers.
Can Dawn dish soap kill weeds?
Yes, a mixture with dish soap can dehydrate weeds, but it isn’t a permanent solution because these weeds can recover eventually.
Does vinegar kill weeds permanently?
No, vinegar doesn’t usually impact the root, so it allows weeds to grow back.
What is the strongest herbicide?
There isn’t a single herbicide that’s considered the most powerful, but our EPA and state approved professional-grade herbicides are all extremely effective.
How do you kill weeds without harming grass?
In addition to the natural remedies we listed in this article, you can also hand pull weeds or use specially formulated herbicides.
Call Us Today & Enjoy A Gorgeous DFW Lawn!
A one-size-fits-all approach to long-term control does not exist. What, then, permanently eradicates weeds? It all boils down to using the right knockout method—which could be a natural cure or a targeted herbicide—in conjunction with efficient, consistent prevention.
Keep in mind that knowing the timing in your area and making a commitment to a healthy lawn will make the biggest difference. So get in touch with GroGreen today!
We proudly serve the greater DFW area, ensuring high-quality lawn care and pest control services for these communities:
- Allen, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Coppell, TX
- Fairview Farmers Branch, TX
- Flower Mound, TX
- Frisco, TX
- Lucas, TX
- McKinney, TX
- Murphy, TX
- Parker, TX
- Plano, TX
- Prosper, TX
- Richardson, TX
- Sachse, TX
- St. Paul, TX
- The Colony, TX
- Wylie, TX