July Edition 2018
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Killer on the Loose.
Killer on the Loose.
Anything which grows where we don't want it is considered to be a weed. Here we going to ask you to stop using so much Weed Killer. Not only is shop bought products too expensive but it's not always the best solution and sometimes perpetuates the problem.
What's the issue with the killer spray?
What's the issue with the killer spray?
Used properly pesticides and herbicides have transformed the farming industry. Concerns over Health have tightened and restricted both their use and concentration. BUT, we don't have farms, we have gardens and lawns, so why are we buying weed killer at all?
Used properly pesticides and herbicides have transformed the farming industry. Concerns over Health have tightened and restricted both their use and concentration. BUT, we don't have farms, we have gardens and lawns, so why are we buying weed killer at all?
The shops have a plentiful supply on the shelves with numerous brands and descriptions for it's use and we go through lots of it. It is however another poison for our environment and another plastic bottle for you to dispose of too.
The shops have a plentiful supply on the shelves with numerous brands and descriptions for it's use and we go through lots of it. It is however another poison for our environment and another plastic bottle for you to dispose of too.
We'd like to see and encourage you to reduce the use of chemicals in favour of some practical solutions to reduce the environmental harm and waste caused by shop bought weed killer sprays.
We'd like to see and encourage you to reduce the use of chemicals in favour of some practical solutions to reduce the environmental harm and waste caused by shop bought weed killer sprays.
Where we use it.
Where we use it.
Lawn Weeds
Lawn Weeds
Take the humble Dandelion for example which is very common in Ireland and likely to be in your garden right now. It produces bright vibrant yellow flowers, it has been used for decades to make drinks, their seed balls entertain children for a few minutes and yet many of us reach for the weed killer. They appear in early spring but by autumn we've given up the battle and ignore them.
Take the humble Dandelion for example which is very common in Ireland and likely to be in your garden right now. It produces bright vibrant yellow flowers, it has been used for decades to make drinks, their seed balls entertain children for a few minutes and yet many of us reach for the weed killer. They appear in early spring but by autumn we've given up the battle and ignore them.
For some the sight of dandelions, buttercups, daisies or anything other than grass in their lawn is reason enough to kill.
For some the sight of dandelions, buttercups, daisies or anything other than grass in their lawn is reason enough to kill.
Straying Grass
Straying Grass
The council do spray hundreds of kilometers of path edge since they've not got the time. We've only a few metres of lawn so we've really got no excuse.
The council do spray hundreds of kilometers of path edge since they've not got the time. We've only a few metres of lawn so we've really got no excuse.
To achieve that manicured image simply get a lawn edger.
To achieve that manicured image simply get a lawn edger.
A neatly cut edge doesn't come from a bottle.
A neatly cut edge doesn't come from a bottle.
Ironically a few seconds of effort to spray followed by several days of scorched garden lawn produces bare soil ready for the new weeds to move in!
Ironically a few seconds of effort to spray followed by several days of scorched garden lawn produces bare soil ready for the new weeds to move in!
Roadside Weeds.
Roadside Weeds.
If the weed root can't be removed then here there is reason to use a spray but they'll return unless the soil is removed and gaps sealed too.
If the weed root can't be removed then here there is reason to use a spray but they'll return unless the soil is removed and gaps sealed too.
If you use a metal scrape, spade or trowel there's a good chance you'll dig out more of the surface and make more space for soil to gather. Use a patio/driveway hard wire scrapper instead.
If you use a metal scrape, spade or trowel there's a good chance you'll dig out more of the surface and make more space for soil to gather. Use a patio/driveway hard wire scrapper instead.
Around Trees and Signs.
Around Trees and Signs.
How many lamp posts and street signs have had weed spray applied recently? We'll soon be able to tell by the scorched grass and we think that it is more unsightly than grass or weeds and if that's the case then there's no real need to waste anymore time and money.
How many lamp posts and street signs have had weed spray applied recently? We'll soon be able to tell by the scorched grass and we think that it is more unsightly than grass or weeds and if that's the case then there's no real need to waste anymore time and money.
Trees with a small circle of bare earth around it's trunk are ornamental garden designs aimed to please 'our eye' and are not what mother nature intended.
Trees with a small circle of bare earth around it's trunk are ornamental garden designs aimed to please 'our eye' and are not what mother nature intended.
Some might argue that it's to make it easier to cut the grass around the tree base with a strimmer or that it's actually good for the tree and allows the soil to breath. Mother nature however thinks it's ripe for weeds or at the very least for dogs to wee against which actually fertilises the soil more.
Some might argue that it's to make it easier to cut the grass around the tree base with a strimmer or that it's actually good for the tree and allows the soil to breath. Mother nature however thinks it's ripe for weeds or at the very least for dogs to wee against which actually fertilises the soil more.
There are Alternative Solutions
There are Alternative Solutions
Cover Soil
Cover Soil
You likely saw the flurry of dandelion seeds in the May breeze and noticed them collect against your shrubs and lawn edge. If there's bare soil then you can expect an invasion of new weeds very soon.
You likely saw the flurry of dandelion seeds in the May breeze and noticed them collect against your shrubs and lawn edge. If there's bare soil then you can expect an invasion of new weeds very soon.
The 'Leader' in the 'green' invasion are the weed seeds who are the front line force able to colonise any available environment in a bid for domination. Very successful they are too since they grow far quicker than grass and are far tougher to kill.
The 'Leader' in the 'green' invasion are the weed seeds who are the front line force able to colonise any available environment in a bid for domination. Very successful they are too since they grow far quicker than grass and are far tougher to kill.
The obvious solution is therefore not to have any bare soil so use a mulch of grass cuttings, bark or weed mat with stones.
The obvious solution is therefore not to have any bare soil so use a mulch of grass cuttings, bark or weed mat with stones.
Home made killer.
Home made killer.
To combat weeds you have within your kitchen all the ingredients you need to create a lethal mixture for a fraction of the shop prices. Used on a dry day when plants are thirsty these are very effective.
To combat weeds you have within your kitchen all the ingredients you need to create a lethal mixture for a fraction of the shop prices. Used on a dry day when plants are thirsty these are very effective.
Dissolved Salt:
Dissolved Salt:
In concentration it's a deadly acid to all vegetation but it also poisons the soil. If you have a household water softener then don't use the treated tap water to rehydrate your plants because you'll slowly kill them.
In concentration it's a deadly acid to all vegetation but it also poisons the soil. If you have a household water softener then don't use the treated tap water to rehydrate your plants because you'll slowly kill them.
Boiling Water:
Boiling Water:
Not many things will survive boiling hot water so next time you're casually spraying weed killer next to plants, shrubs or trees imagine that you're pouring scalding hot water which will kill every living creature.
Not many things will survive boiling hot water so next time you're casually spraying weed killer next to plants, shrubs or trees imagine that you're pouring scalding hot water which will kill every living creature.
Soapy Water:
Soapy Water:
Whilst also drying them out it's coating prevents the plant from absorbing nutrients and it starves them to death.
Whilst also drying them out it's coating prevents the plant from absorbing nutrients and it starves them to death.
Mixed with hot water and Salt it produces a deadly mixture for plants.
Mixed with hot water and Salt it produces a deadly mixture for plants.
The ultimate solution is not to create the environment for weeds to set it.
The ultimate solution is not to create the environment for weeds to set it.
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