Weeds. Perhaps the bane of every aspiring lawn guru’s existence. Now the good news is, there are plenty of different ways to rid your lawn of weeds, some traditional, and some perhaps a little out there. Regardless, there is more than one way to achieve the best land in the neighborhood status.

Now, you could pull all the weeds, removing them by hand, pulling them out by the roots. This is excellent if you’re looking for back problems. Assuming back problems aren’t the first thing on your to-do list, let’s look at the many ways to mass remove weeds, paving the way for more desirable plants.

How Do You Get Rid Of Mass Amounts Of Weeds?

Getting rid of many weeds can be problematic without the proper tips and tricks. That’s why we’re here.

In This Article:

Weed Killer

Now, as in the description, weed killers are great when it comes to, you guessed it, killing weeds. They work by breaking down the weed roots from the inside out, beginning with the cell walls, killing the weed.

One thing to note when it comes to weed killers is most of the time; they tend to be toxic to animals and humans. When applying them, follow the instructions on the label, and wear protective gear. Remove all pets and children off of the lawn for the duration of the application process and a few hours after.

A famous weed killer is Roundup. While it does have glyphosate as an active ingredient, it is safe to use around pets and children. It is excellent for removing large masses of weeds, as they die quickly after the application.

Gas Burner

This may seem slightly strange, but yes, you can use a gas burner to remove large areas of weeds. Let’s take a look at how it works.

When the flame is applied to the weeds, it destroys the root cells and inhibits the plant’s ability to complete the process of photosynthesis. Without this, the weeds do not have the means to survive.

Pro’s

The good news about this method is that no aspect contains chemicals harmful to the surrounding area, animals, or children. It is still a good idea to keep animals and kids out of the way while burning weeds (I mean, there’s literal fire), but it does not release chemicals.

This method is also straightforward to utilize. The instructions are in the name. Not too sure? Don’t worry; we’ll break it down.

Con’s

Unsurprisingly, fuel is expensive and may cost more than other methods to burn weeds. While effective, this method is not particularly cheap, as you may need to refill the fuel depending on how large the area in question is.

How To

Do not use this method in dry seasons, especially in large areas.
Remove any large, combustible materials (plastic, paper, debris).
Apply the flame towards the base of the weed, as this evaporates any moisture, killing the weed.

Weed Fabric

Another option when it comes to weed removal is weed fabric. It can be purchased at any local gardening store and is cost-effective when it comes to large areas.

It works by limiting the air, and light weed seeds require to grow and thrive. When the seeds germinate, the light is blocked, and the roots die.

Pro’s

Weed fabric is cost-effective, and once the area is prepped, easy to lay down. It is designed to go under a layer of mulch, so it is not an eyesore as it combats the weeds. While it controls trimmed down weeds, it also prevents new seedlings from growing through the barrier.

Con’s

It takes quite a bit of leg work to prep the area the fabric will go over the top of. Without this preparation, the barrier will not be as effective. Existing weeds also need to be trimmed down before laying the barrier down.

How To

Trim existing weeds- Begin by trimming and spraying all existing weeds. Roundup is an excellent herbicide in this scenario, as it kills existing weeds.
Level the soil- Rake through the ground until it is even, removing any large debris found.
Lay the Fabric- Lay out the landscape fabric over the desired areas.
Cover- Cover the area where fabric is laid with mulch.

Cardboard

Now, this one might sound a bit strange. But, if you’re the person that keeps all your old cardboard boxes “just in case,” now is your moment to shine. Believe it or not, cardboard is great for controlling weeds when applied for a season. Let’s break it down.

Cardboard works similarly to weed fabric. It prevents the weed from having unrestricted access to air, sunlight, and moisture, all things a weed desperately needs to survive. Without this, the weed, and anything underneath it, dies.

Pro’s

The cardboard prevents weeds and will eventually begin to break down, feeding the soil underneath with its organic matter and increasing the nutrient content. This method is also very low cost, as you likely have some laying around, and it is relatively easy to come across.

Con’s

This method requires some planning ahead of time and should be laid down for at least a few months if you are looking to plant grass in that area. It can become a pest’s favorite playground if not taken care of.

How To

Trim down any existing weeds, so the area is relatively flat.
Cut up your cardboard boxes, so they lay flat, and remove any labels or writing.
Lay the cardboard over the desired area.
Secure the cardboard with rocks, or place a layer of mulch over the top to prevent the cardboard from getting picked up by any wind.

Acid

If your lawn is infested with weeds and the traditional methods are at a loss, acid is the next step.

Let’s take muriatic acid, for example. It is extremely effective when it comes to killing grass, weeds, and plants. In other words, practically everything it touches. This particular acid works by breaking down the compounds in the weed’s cellulose, or in other words, the cell wall. Grass, plants, and weeds alike cannot survive this breakdown and will wilt and turn brown.

Pro’s

The acid works wonders when it comes to areas wholly infested with weeds. It works rapidly to break down the weed and is considered a last resort. It is great for stubborn weeds.

Con’s

It is extremely reactive and should not be used frequently to control weeds. When misused, it can cause chemical burns on grass. It is not safe for use around animals and children.

How To

Wear protective clothing and gloves when dealing with muriatic acid.
Mix the acid- Mix it in the container, making sure it is diluted. A good general rule of thumb is 1 part acid, 20 parts water.
Use a Sponge- Saturate a sponge, ensuring it is completely saturated but not dripping. This helps to prevent the mixture from seeping into the soil.
Apply- Run the sponge over the affected area, coating the weeds.
Wait- Observe the weeds, as they should begin to turn brown and brittle.
Reapply- If the weeds do not turn brown and brittle, reapply the solution as needed.

Pulling Weeds By Hand & Trimming

Now, this is a method we are probably all familiar with. Depending on the type of weed and the area you’re trying to rid of weeds, pulling them by hand may be the best option. Pulling weeds by hand is a good option when just a few weeds are spread throughout a large area.

Trimming may be the route to go if there are more tall weeds than not. Weed eaters quickly trim the existing weeds. This prepares the area for methods such as laying down weed fabric or cardboard.

Now, if you are not opposed to routine weed work, using a weed eater is a great tool, as there are no harmful chemicals or required materials (other than the weed eater itself).