As autumn approaches, gardeners across Britain are bracing for the seasonal surge of weeds. Annual, biennial, and perennial intruders can quickly become a headache once established in a lawn.
Peter Chaloner, gardening expert and managing director of Cobra, champions a natural and “effective way” to banish them for good. He warns against chemical treatments and popular home remedies.
Why vinegar and chemicals fall short
Peter explained: “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.”
Instead, he recommends 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.”
Digging deep for persistent weeds
This excavation technique works well against persistent offenders such as dandelions, broad-leaved docks, and plantain, all of which have deep taproots. Simply pulling off the visible foliage is not enough; gardeners need to extract the complete root system to prevent regrowth.
Certain weeds can grow from even the tiniest root pieces and spread rapidly through underground stems. After clearing them, a solid lawn maintenance plan is essential to stop them returning.
Maintenance to prevent regrowth
Peter suggests starting with scarification to remove debris and dead grass that blocks airflow to the roots, then aerating to boost circulation. Routine scarifying keeps annual weeds at bay and can reduce perennial varieties. Thatch and moss deprive grass of nutrients and water, but a scarifier can strip away the build-up and trim the turf.
For gardens troubled by thistle or common ragwort, regular cutting can help keep them under control. Peter advised: “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.”
Before mowing, ensure the mower has a clippings bag or box attached to prevent weed seeds from spreading. By carefully collecting seeds and cutting back plants, weeds slowly lose strength and their ability to reproduce is compromised. Eventually, this steady method results in a lawn free from weeds.
