Remove weeds and keep them away for longer with natural tip – not vinegar

Lawn weeds can be a real nuisance, but a gardening expert says this natural weed removal technique may be more effective than vinegar or chemicals

As the season transitions towards autumn, gardeners are preparing themselves for an increase in lawn weeds, which are well known for flourishing at this time of year. These uninvited plants arrive with varying life cycles — annual, biennial, or perennial — and can prove extremely difficult to control once they have established themselves in your grass.

While chemical treatments are available to combat these intruders, Peter Chaloner, gardening expert and managing director of Cobra, champions a natural and “effective way” to eliminate them. Weeds, frequently regarded as unwanted plants, can appear virtually anywhere and are not necessarily unattractive; some might even bear a resemblance to familiar wildflowers.

Nevertheless, for those pursuing an immaculate lawn, swift weed removal is essential.

Peter advised: “Removing weeds is the first step in achieving the perfect lawn. Avoid using chemicals, boiling water and white vinegar that are rumoured to work as you run the risk of killing the surrounding grass and doing more harm than good.”

He advocates a manual technique: “The more effective way is to dig simply. Take a hand trowel, or even a specialised weeding trowel, and dig around the weed, but be sure to get deep under the root to make sure it is entirely removed.”

This excavation method proves especially successful against persistent weeds such as dandelions, broad-leaved docks, and plantain, which possess extensive taproots. Simply pulling away the leaves will not be sufficient; gardeners must remove the complete root system to stop regrowth.

Certain weeds are notoriously invasive, able to regenerate from even the tiniest root fragments and rapidly establishing extensive rhizome networks. After you’ve dealt with the weeds, it’s crucial to stop them coming back through a comprehensive lawn maintenance regime.

Peter recommends beginning with scarification to remove debris and dead grass that restricts airflow to the roots, then proceeding with aeration to enhance circulation.

Scarifying regularly not only keeps annual weeds at bay but can also reduce perennial varieties. Thatch and moss deprive your grass of vital nutrients and moisture, yet a scarifier can successfully eliminate this build-up and trim the grass.

For lawns suffering from thistle or common ragwort, mowing frequently can help keep them under control.

Peter suggested: “Mow throughout spring and summer little and often, and don’t take too much off with the first cut so as not to shock the grass.”

Prior to mowing, make certain your lawnmower has a clippings bag or box attached to prevent the dispersal of weed seeds, which could worsen weed problems.

Through consistently removing seeds and cutting back the plants, the weeds will steadily weaken, and their capacity to produce seeds will be compromised. In time, this methodical approach will result in a weed-free lawn.