Many plants sprout and grow in the spring, including weeds like dandelions. If weeds spread quickly in your lawn at this time, it can ruin the lawn’s beauty and threaten the normal growth of the grass. To tackle this issue, experts suggest that sprinkling a natural substance at the right time on the lawn can easily and effectively eliminate weeds.
An expert from the US environmental organization “Midwest Grows Green,” Ryan Anderson, shared a completely natural and effective herbicide using cornmeal. This common household item not only removes weeds but also helps the grass grow healthily.
Anderson explained on the organization’s website that the gluten in cornmeal, a byproduct of corn processing, contains proteins that inhibit the root growth of annual and perennial weeds during seed germination.
This product not only provides a natural and eco-friendly alternative to toxic herbicides but also contains a significant amount of nitrogen, which helps the lawn grow healthily. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for plant growth.
It is important to note that using cornmeal before or during weed germination is most effective. If the lawn is already overrun with weeds, using cornmeal may actually encourage their growth.
Anderson said, “Corn gluten is most effective when attacking weeds just as they are germinating or before germination.” Weeds typically germinate in April, especially crabgrass, so it is best to apply cornmeal a few weeks before April or when forsythias begin to bloom.
For those who prefer caution, you can use a soil thermometer and take action when the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). At this point, the weather is warm enough to use cornmeal.
Once you decide to use cornmeal, check the weather forecast and choose days with minimal chances of rain. Wet the cornmeal in a spray bottle before applying it to the lawn.
Since cornmeal also inhibits grass germination, it’s essential not to apply it too early. Wait until the grass on the lawn has grown before using it. With proper timing, you will see the weed-killing effects of cornmeal.
You can purchase cornmeal products at your local gardening center or online. Alternatively, inquire with lawn care companies to see if they offer cornmeal weed control services.
If you want to remove weeds from your patio or backyard in the spring but avoid using polluting chemical herbicides, consider natural methods recommended by gardening expert Andy McLaughlin. According to a report by the UK’s Daily Express, McLaughlin emphasized that chemical herbicides not only harm the environment but also endanger wildlife, pets, and humans.
McLaughlin mentioned that manually uprooting weeds with a weeding tool is a very effective method but can be time-consuming and strenuous on the knees or back of the person weeding.
Using boiling water or household vinegar solutions can also work to a certain extent, but for more stubborn weeds, you can use a flamethrower to quickly burn them. However, this method carries a risk of fire and may not be suitable for use on very dry days.
Another gardening expert, Nilufer Danis, previously told the Daily Express
that the best way to quickly kill weeds is by using boiling water. “Simply pour a kettle of boiling water directly onto the weeds, and they will die instantly.”
Boiling water is effective because its heat transfers to the weeds, causing the plants’ cells to deform and die. This is one of the most effective methods of energy transfer.
Danis also suggested using white vinegar or lemon juice mixed with salt to weed. “This method may not have an immediate effect, but it will gradually kill the weeds within a few days.”
While these natural methods can effectively combat weeds, combining multiple approaches, such as using boiling water followed by white vinegar, can increase the chances of completely eradicating weeds and prevent them from regrowing.