What is the best weed killer for a vegetable garden?
Weeds are the bane of every gardener’s existence. They not only rob your plants of nutrients and water but also make your garden look unkempt. And the unfortunate part is, you can’t just reach for herbicides and call it a day. When it comes to the garden, your weed killing techniques are limited since the harmful chemicals may end up in the vegetables you’re growing.
If you want to use a weed killer for a vegetable garden, ensure you have the appropriate product. Also, use the weed killer at the right time. Fall and spring are perfect because the garden is clear at this time. However, keep in mind that the residues from the herbicides may remain in your plants.
Before you decide to use a weed killer in your garden, it’s essential to understand the potential risks and the best products to use. It’s also crucial to consider safer alternatives that would enable you to maintain organic benefits in your vegetables. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Can I Use Weed Killer in My Vegetable Garden?
Yes. You can use a weed killer in your vegetable garden. However, you need to read the label and understand what the herbicide does. What’s more, you should ensure the ingredients are safe to use. There are several types of weed killers in the market. One of the common herbicides you’ll come across is the selective type. These types of weed killers kill specific types of plants without causing harm to the rest.
The other type is the non-selective herbicide. This herbicide kills everything it touches, including your healthy plants. Therefore, you need to consider which type you need. The selective type is an excellent choice when your plants are already germinating, and you don’t want to cause any harm.
You can use the non-selective herbicides in the fall and spring when your garden is clear and you want to get rid of all the weeds before planting season. This said you should know that the risks of these weed killers vary depending on the brand and formulation.
Therefore, before you decide to use any weed killer, read the label, and understand the risks. Find out if the weed killer is meant to be used for soil preparation or during the growth stage. However, if your goal is to plant organic vegetables, you may want to reconsider using weed killers altogether.
You see, when these chemicals are used on the soil, they tend to creep into your plants, thereby doing away with the organic benefits. And even when you’re using selective herbicides, there’s a chance the residues will fall onto your plants.
Source: Home Guides SF Gate
The Best Weed Killers for Vegetable Garden
While pulling weeds by hand is the safest way to keep your garden weed-free, it’s not always practical, especially if you have a big garden. But this doesn’t mean you should give up trying. As we mentioned, some weed killers are safe for the garden. The safety of a weed killer boils down to the type of ingredients it has and its mechanism of action.
Below are some of the best options on the market that you should consider.
Preen Garden Weed Preventer
The Preen Garden Weed Preventer is an excellent choice if you harvest your crops in the fall. Because your plants are mature at this time, the residues from this product won’t affect them. This weed preventer acts on the weed seedlings and kills them before they emerge.
However, it doesn’t kill already existing weeds. Therefore, if you decide to use it, pull out the mature weeds by hand before using the product. One of the things we love about this weed killer is the fact that it has safe ingredients that can be used around edibles. Not to mention, the label states that you can use the product all year round.
But be sure to choose the right product to get the best results. Go for the organic Preen Weed Preventer.
Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate
Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate is an incredible weed killer if you’re in the garden preparation stage and you’ve already harvested all your plants. This herbicide kills all grasses and weeds to the root. And the best part is that it doesn’t stay in the soil afterward. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the residues getting into your plants during the planting season.
However, you should never use this herbicide around edibles because it kills everything in its way, including healthy plants. Use it in the fall after harvesting. According to the manufacturer, the product is fast-acting, and you should start seeing results within the first 12 hours of application.
Products Containing Glyphosate
Glyphosate is a popular ingredient in weed killers, and for good reasons. It has been used as a herbicide since 1974, and it has continually proven to be effective. It’s an active ingredient in popular herbicides like Roundup and Weed away.
Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will kill every plant in its way when applied. It kills weeds and grasses by stopping enzymatic pathways. If you decide to use it, make sure you do so when you’re already harvested or before the planting season. This way, there won’t be any damage to your plants.
It’s also crucial to read and follow the safety instructions on the products containing this ingredient since there have been safety concerns about using it.
Source: National Pesticide Information Center
Other Weed Control Alternatives
If you’d like to steer clear from synthetic weed killers, you may be wondering if there are safer, more effective alternatives. The answer is yes. You can control weeds with any of the following methods.
Organic Approach
Corn gluten is one of the best organic weed killers you can use in your garden. Unlike synthetic weed killers, this product doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. After application, it breaks down and forms a thin layer over the soil, thereby preventing the weed seedlings from sprouting. Furthermore, it’s rich in nitrogen, so your soil will have a nutrient boost in the process.
However, corn gluten prevents all plants from growing. Therefore, if you’re going to use it, ensure your plants have already sprouted from the ground.
Mechanical Approach
If you’re only dealing with a few weeds in your garden, the best solution is to deal with them mechanically. You can either pull the weeds manually using your hands to remove them from the root or expose their roots using a hoe. This way, they’ll dry up when exposed to sunlight. When you do this often, you’ll have fewer weeds to deal with all year round.
Prevention
Preventing weeds during planting will save you the hassle of using a weed killer down the road. There are several things you can do. One of the best approaches is to plant your crops close together to ensure they shade the ground and crowd out weeds.
It also helps to mulch the soil weekly once the plants have grown up to 3 inches. However, make sure you’re using untreated grass clippings.
Get to the Root of the Problem
No matter how many preventative measures you take, at some point, you may have to deal with some weeds in your garden. In such cases, you need the right weed killer to get rid of those pesky invaders. Be sure to analyze the ingredients and ensure they’re safe to use in a garden, and always read the label to know the best time to use each herbicide. Most importantly, consider using organic methods if you don’t want to lose the organic benefits in your plants.
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My 10X20 vegetable plot is packed with weeds that took over in the fall and winter. The weeds are long and stringy but would require too much work for an 81 yr old. I want to clear them fro the plot before planting veg. but do not want any residue of the weed killer to live on and contaminate my veg plants.
Assistance most appreciated
Thanks for your comment, Sam!
Here are 2 other treatments you can try:
1) Boiling Water Treatment
Warm or cold water often does little damage to most plants. It also benefits weeds. Boiling water kills the plant as well as the seeds that may lay dormant within the soil. It produces almost instantaneous results as it attacks the root.
2) Vinegar
Vinegar especially when used with dish soap can kill weeds (dries it up). You can put it in a spray bottle to spray the weeds.
Best of luck!
Scott