How to Prevent Weeds Naturally

Anyone who has a yard - or even a tiny patch of grass - knows what a pain it is to constantly battle weeds. Sure, there are a ton of chemical weed killers on the market, but before you burn your plants, damage your lawn or expose your animals and children to toxic herbicides, consider going with a healthier and more eco-friendly method of weed control.

Natural weed prevention is easy and inexpensive, and is much less damaging to the environment than commercial weed killers and chemical weed prevention products. Prevent weed growth in your lawn and flowerbeds with these natural, non-toxic, eco-friendlier methods of weed control.

Prevent Weeds Naturally with Ground Covers

Empty soil in flowerbeds, borders, gardens and around lawns is fertile ground for weed growth. Prevent weeds before they can even start by using ground covers that will beautify your yard and limit weed growth naturally. Rocks, mulch, pine needles, sawdust and low growing plants are all excellent examples of ground covers that will help keep your garden naturally weed-free.

For more complete weed control, first cover the soil with newspaper, used carpet, old blankets, fabric ground covers or even unused yards of regular fabric and then place the rocks, mulch or pine needles on top. Newspaper works particularly well since it can be turned with your soil once it has begun to break down. Using carpet, old blankets and fabric is a great way to repurpose these materials and keep them out of the landfill while providing you with inexpensive (or free) weed control.

Prevent Weeds Naturally with Vinegar

The more I learn about vinegar, the more I love it. It seems that vinegar is good for everything from softening fabrics to cleaning countertops to killing and preventing weeds. Regular household vinegar will generally work just fine, but if it isn't doing the trick, head to your local home or hardware store and get the 10% dilution, which is significantly stronger. Spray the vinegar directly on weeds for non-toxic, chemical-free, natural weed control.

Natural Weed Control Products

If vinegar and ground covers don't provide enough weed control and prevention, the next step is to find an all natural weed control product that will not harm the environment or negatively impact the health of you, your family and your animal companions.

These are a few of the natural weed prevention products and weed killers available:

1. Corn Gluten Meal available at extremelygreen.com.
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3. Premerge Natural Weed Control available at extremelygreen.com.
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5. Concern Necessary Organics Weed Prevention Plus 100% Natural Corn Gluten Pre-emergent Herbicide from Woodstream available at yardlover.com.
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7. WorryFree Organic Weed and Grass Killer made from citrus oil available from planetnatural.com.
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9. Agralawn Organic Crabgrass Killer made from cinnamon bark, available at planetnatural.com.
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11. Weed-a-Tak Organic Herbicide made with citric acid, clove leaf oil and cinnamon oil available at planetnatural.com.
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