Killing Dandelions
Getting Rid of Dandelions Organically
We've all been searching for effective ways of controlling and killing dandelions for years. We really don't like these intruders on our lawns.
Because of their very long tap roots that run deep under ground, simply mowing the lawn would only remove the flower and maybe a few of the leaves.
Granted, while removing the flower before it goes to seed will help stop the seeds from finding a new home in your grass, this really doesn't get ‘to the root of the problem’ as the saying goes.
Getting rid of dandelions means that the taproot needs to be entirely removed to get rid of the dandelion weed properly. If only a small part of the taproot is left behind the plant will re-sprout.
Corngluten Meal Organic Weed Control
Corngluten
is a natural herbicide that is very effective in getting rid of dandelions. It is licensed for use in turf and home gardens as an organic weed and feed product. It makes a great dandelion weed control.
This byproduct of corn milling has been used for years as animal feed. It has a natural protein that is very effective as a plant food for lawns and gardens, and at the same time acts as a weed suppressor.
Corngluten acts as a natural pre-emergent weed control that inhibits seeds from germinating by drying out the seed as soon as it opens in the sprouting process.
Jim and I have used corngluten for killing dandelions very effectively on lawns for seven or eight years before the pesticide ban even came into effect.
It's a product we highly recommend based on our experience in the lawn care industry.
Among the weeds controlled with pre-emergent application of the product are crabgrass, dandelions, smart weed, redroot pigweed, purslane, lambsquarters, foxtail, and barnyard grass. And don't forget, Corngluten Meal is a 100% organic lawn fertilizer. It's totally safe where children and pets are part of lawn usage.
Killing Dandelions By Hand PullingHand pulling is one of the most effective organic weed defenses against annual broadleaf weeds.
Pulling any weed while it's young, before it flowers and seeds, is the easiest way to prevent them from spreading. Due to the hard-to-pull taproot of the dandelion, catching them early is crucial.
Tugging out the entire plant, including the root, is necessary when killing dandelions. Any root pieces left under the ground will allow new plants to grow from it.
As any new growth sprouts, repeatedly pull it. This will eventually starve and kill the weed.
When done after a good rain or after soaking a dry lawn, the soil is less resistant allowing for more success at complete root removal.Tools Of The TradeThere are many hand tools available on the market. Dandelion diggers probe deeper into the soil to get at the root. It's really up to you which one you find will work best for you.Technique For Hand PullingWhen the soil is moist, push a sharp spade or dandelion digger into the soil, angled down toward the center of the plant. Loosen the soil around it and use the tool to pry the weed upward while pulling it.
Again, it's important to get the enitre root, so try not to break any of it off.
Smooth out the soil that's been disturbed, work in some compost and patch the spot with a good quality grass seed.What Works For UsThis season, Jim and I are having wonderful results with the Fiskars step-on remover. It gets the full root loosened and pulled up, with minimal bending. It has a release mechanism to dispose of the weed into a nearby container as you travel the lawn, which is quite effective.
I've used the Fiskars tool more than Jim has, which is okay. I've made a plan of attacking one section of the lawn at a time, systematically working my way back and forth over an area until it's relatively weed free.
Different days I go to another section and am making good progress in removing both dandelions and plantain plants.
We have a healthy crop of plantain in one section of our backyard that needs attention.
The Last Step After Killing DandelionsIt's important to follow this one last step after any manual lawn weeding.
Once the weed is out, you should reseed the bare spot right away; otherwise, new weeds will fill it in.
Smooth out the soil that's been disturbed, work in some compost and patch the spot with a good quality grass seed.
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