I think of weeds in three different types... 1. grassy weeds annual bluegrass bermudagrass crabgrass dallisgrass foxtail nimbleweed nutsedge quackgrass mug wort
2. broadleaf weeds Black Medic canada thistle ground ivy horsetail pigweed ragweed white glover yarrow broadleaf plantain carpet weed curly dock hawkweed indian mock strawberry wild garlic prickly lettuce shepards purse wild onion chick weed dandelion henbit lambsquaters knotweed smartweed wild violets buttonweed english daisy hop clover mallow purslane sorrel woodsorrel 3. Woody and vining weeds
Bindweed Morning glory Poison ivy Wild buckwheat
How do I get rid of chic weed without using pesticides?
The first way is the good old fashioned way; pull it out
by the roots.
The second way; I use 3 parts water to one part vinegar and one tablespoon of liquid soap that helps the vinegar stay on the chic weed and I spray it on.
Make sure to get rid of the chic weed before it flowers or the seeds will come back next year. Never rototill the chic weed into the soil.
Controlling weeds Corn Gluten HerbicidesPowdered herbicides made from corn gluten keep crabgrass and other weedseeds from germinating and growing. They are typically spread on establishedlawns, but they also can be used in gardens where no seeds will be planted,such as in perennial beds. As the corn gluten degrades, it provides a smallamount of nitrogen to the soil. Crabgrass begins to germinate at about the timethat azaleas, dogwoods, and forsythias bloom, so spread corn gluten at thattime for best results. Application procedures vary with the particular product;be sure to read and follow the directions on the label. Do not use corn glutenin newly seeded lawns, or in garden beds where you plan to sow seeds. Organic HerbicidesThere are several herbicides made from natural ingredients. Those thatcontain clove oil (eugenol) give the best control of young broadleaf weeds.Products containing acetic acid, often in combination with citric acid, do agood job on young grasses. Some products contain both clove oil and aceticacid, so they are useful for a broad variety of weeds. Soap-based herbicides dehydrate leaves by cutting through their protectivelayer of cutin. All of these types of organic herbicides work best on youngweeds and pose only a temporary setback to well-rooted perennial weeds. Tominimize damage to neighboring plants, spray only in dry, still weather. Tomaximize effectiveness, spray young weeds when temperatures are above 70degrees F and the sun is shining brightly. Be aware that repeated applicationsof a product containing acetic acid (which is very strong vinegar) can lowerthe soil's pH, making it more acidic. Pulling WeedsMost young weeds can be pulled from the soil. They will slide out mosteasily if you pull them when the soil is wet. Getting the root up is crucial,so think of the main stem as the root's handle, and grasp it as close to thesoil line as you can. If you find that the weeds are breaking off at the crownas you pull, slip a kitchen fork, dandelion weeder, or similar tool under theweed, and pry and twist as you pull it up. Weeds that have taproots, such as dandelion and plantain, usually must bepried out. A flexible pair of waterproof gloves will keep your handscomfortable as you weed, and it's good to have a nice sitting pad, too. Letpulled weeds bake in the sun for a day or so before composting them. If pulled weedsare holding mature seeds, compost them separately in a hot, moist pile beforeusing this compost in the garden. CultivatingSlicing and dicing weeds with a hoe works best when the soil is relativelydry, and the same goes for cultivating with a tiller. With their tops mangledand roots cut, most young weeds will quickly shrivel up and die. Be careful tocultivate only the top inch or two of soil or you may injure nearby gardenplant roots and drag new weed seeds to the surface. A sharp hoe works muchbetter than a dull one, so refresh the edge on your hoe with a steel filebetween weeding sessions. After using either a hoe or tiller to cultivate weeds, go back the next dayto nip out any survivors. When battling perennial weeds, you can weaken the plantsby chopping them down with a sharp hoe, but it's best to combine hoeing withdigging to achieve good control. Never use a tiller in soil that is infestedwith bindweed, quackgrass, or other weeds that regrow from small pieces ofroot; they are easily spread by rototilling. Reducing ReseedingMost weeds reproduce primarily from seeds, and the seeds of some weeds canremain viable when buried in the soil for decades. So it's essential to keepweeds from shedding seeds in the garden. Garden weeds that are neglected untilthey reach seed-bearing age can be lopped off near the soil line with pruningshears, a stout knife, or a string trimmer with a blade attachment. Cutting back perennial weeds again and again not only reduces reseeding, italso forces the plants to use up food reserves stored in their roots. In agarden that has gone hopelessly weedy, mowing it down promptly, raking out theseed-bearing debris, and starting over next year is a big step in the rightdirection. Mowing regularly helps keep weeds under control in lawns. Whenmowing lawns where seed-bearing weeds are present, collect the clippings in abagger and dispose of them in a shady place. Crowding PlantsWhen plants grow so close together that the ground between them is shaded,sun-seeking weeds, such as pigweed and purslane, don't have a chance. Usedouble rows rather than single ones whenever possible in your vegetable garden.In flower beds, place flowers in closely spaced groups. As plants need moreroom to grow, thin them gradually so weeds get only a fleeting chance at goodlight. Plants with broad leaves, such as squash and cabbage, do a good job ofcrowding out weeds. Vigorous lawn grasses that form a tight turf naturallycrowd out weeds. To keep turf tight, apply a slow-release organic fertilizerduring your lawn's most active season of new growth. The recommended cuttingheight varies with different species of grass, but with any type of grass it'sa good weed-preventive strategy to mow high and often. Long blades of grass oftendo a good job of shading out germinating weed seeds.
