Latest news with #GoodNature
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Get rid of dandelions on your lawn without damaging grass
An organic lawn care specialist has shared how to remove dandelions from your lawn with ease while keeping your grass healthy and vibrant. Weeds such as dandelions can be a real nuisance in spring, spreading rapidly and draining your lawn of vital nutrients, but thankfully, they're easy to eliminate. While it's strongly advised not to use harsh chemicals in your garden to safeguard local wildlife, homemade remedies like a white vinegar solution should also be avoided on your lawn as it will ruin your grass. However, Alec McClennan, an organic lawncare specialist from Good Nature, has revealed there are numerous gardening techniques to eradicate dandelions from your lawn whilst maintaining healthy and lush grass, reports the Mirror. How to banish dandelions without damaging your grass Choose the correct fertiliser Dandelion weeds tend to be particularly troublesome at this time of year, with the warmer weather providing the perfect conditions for all plants to flourish and spread. The most effective way to stop seeds from sprouting is by applying corn gluten meal to your lawn, which forms a barrier preventing new weeds from taking root, whilst nourishing your grass, reports the Express. Alec advises: "Use an organic fertiliser that feeds the soil and may help minimise new weed germination, like corn gluten meal. "It is an excellent slow-release natural fertiliser that contains about nine percent nitrogen as a protein. Furthermore, corn gluten meal has been proven to inhibit new seed germination to some extent. This means it will help prevent new seeds from developing into plants." Mow at a higher height to promote denser grass Raising the cutting height of your mower might just leave dandelions out in the cold, by letting tall grass shade out these unwelcome guests and curtail their seed sprouting. Alec advises that this tactic could also "keep your lawn greener" as it promotes a lusher root system, leading to a healthier patch of green and a more robust lawn overall. As a result, the grass will grow thicker and be better equipped to compete with weeds, ultimately causing dandelions to die off naturally. Alec adds: "Mowing high can help crowd out existing weeds provided that you have grass types that will stand up and fight. "If your grass lays over and won't stand up, mowing high won't help as much. You still don't want to scalp the lawn, but having the right grass types makes mowing high much easier." Use an organic weed killer For those keen on keeping things natural, an organic weapon may be your best bet against weeds. Whilst giving chemicals a miss, some naturally crafted concoctions can banish not only the unwanted flora but also deal with moss, algae, ground ivy, and lichens. Alec said: "Captain Jack's Lawnweed Brew is made from naturally occurring Iron (FeHEDTA) and is safe for people and pets. It will weaken and kill many broadleaf weeds like dandelions without harming the grass. Since it's naturally occurring, it's okay to seed the same day you apply it." Captain Jack's Lawnweed Brew is making waves for its iron-rich formula, not just vital for lush grass, but also a powerful weed adversary. The trick lies in iron blocking the weeds' energy production through their leaves, causing them to wither and die off. Make sure to mulch Gardeners swear by mulching - a technique where gardeners blanket the soil with organic matter to nourish plants - to keep those pesky weeds at bay. Spreading your garden with items like fallen leaves, bark, or straw works wonders in creating an organic barrier that prevents sunlight and moisture from reaching weed seeds. While you can mulch any time, autumn presents the golden window, thanks largely to the plentiful supply of leaves. Alec added his insight, saying : "You may have to wait a bit on this, but studies at Michigan State have shown a significant reduction in dandelions on grass that had leaves mulched into it during the [autumn]. "So this year, instead of raking your leaves to the curb, run over them with your lawn mower until they're all chopped up and leave them on your lawn."
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Banish dandelions from the lawn without using chemicals or white vinegar
Dandelions - or lawn daisies - can be a real headache to get rid of in spring, but there are many organic ways to get rid of the weed without harming your grass Weeds such as dandelions can be a real nuisance in spring, spreading rapidly and draining your lawn of vital nutrients, but thankfully, they're easy to eliminate. While it's strongly advised not to use harsh chemicals in your garden to safeguard local wildlife, homemade remedies like a white vinegar solution should also be avoided on your lawn as it will ruin your grass. However, Alec McClennan, an organic lawncare specialist from Good Nature, has revealed there are numerous gardening techniques to eradicate dandelions from your lawn whilst maintaining healthy, verdant and lush grass. How to banish dandelions without damaging your grass Choose the correct fertiliser Dandelion weeds tend to be particularly troublesome at this time of year, with the warmer weather providing the perfect conditions for all plants to flourish and spread. The most effective way to stop seeds from sprouting is by applying corn gluten meal to your lawn, which forms a barrier preventing new weeds from taking root, whilst nourishing your grass, reports the Express. Alec advises: "Use an organic fertiliser that feeds the soil and may help minimise new weed germination, like corn gluten meal. "[It] is an excellent slow-release natural fertiliser that contains about nine percent nitrogen as a protein. Furthermore, corn gluten meal has been proven to inhibit new seed germination to some extent. This means it will help prevent new seeds from developing into plants." Mow at a higher height to promote denser grass Maintaining your lawn at a higher height can prevent dandelions from growing, as the taller grass can block sunlight and inhibit the germination of weed seeds. Alec suggests that this will also "keep your lawn greener" by encouraging the grass to develop a deeper root system, leading to healthier grass and a stronger, more resilient turf. As a result, the grass will grow thicker and be better equipped to compete with weeds, ultimately causing dandelions to die off naturally. Alec adds: "Mowing high can help crowd out existing weeds provided that you have grass types that will stand up and fight. "If your grass lays over and won't stand up, mowing high won't help as much. You still don't want to scalp the lawn, but having the right grass types makes mowing high much easier." Use an organic weed killer Using an organic weed killer is another option. While chemicals should be avoided, there are alternatives made with natural ingredients that can eliminate not only weeds but also moss, algae, ground ivy, and lichens. Alec recommends: "Captain Jack's Lawnweed Brew is made from naturally occurring Iron (FeHEDTA) and is safe for people and pets. It will weaken and kill many broadleaf weeds like dandelions without harming the grass. Since it's naturally occurring, it's okay to seed the same day you apply it." Captain Jack's Lawnweed Brew boasts iron as its star component, not only vital for maintaining lush grass but also a formidable weed suppressor. Iron interferes with the weeds' ability to generate energy through their leaves, causing them to wilt and perish. Make sure to mulch Mulching, a technique where gardeners blanket the soil with organic matter to nourish plants, is also a top-notch method for keeping those pesky weeds at bay. Spreading materials like leaves, bark, or straw over your lawn creates a barrier that blocks sunlight and water from reaching any budding weed seeds. While you can mulch in either spring or autumn, the latter is often more opportune due to the abundance of fallen leaves available for the task. Alec chimed in: "You may have to wait a bit on this, but studies at Michigan State have shown a significant reduction in dandelions on grass that had leaves mulched into it during the [autumn]. "So this year, instead of raking your leaves to the curb, run over them with your lawn mower until they're all chopped up and leave them on your lawn."
The Sun
09-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The simple trick that stops dandelions coming back to your lawn & uses no vinegar or other products
WHEN it comes to weeds, dandelions are one of the most common types to find in and around your garden. And although chemical weed killer can work to get rid of them, it's not always the best option. 2 Dandelions can be incredibly tricky hard to get rid of, but some quick solutions, including white vinegar, can leave your grass looking dead and brown. Alec McClennan, an organic lawn care expert from Good Nature, recently shares his advices for banishing the yellow weeds for good without compromising on the health of your lawn. He told that mowing is the best method, since once they're set in they become even more difficult to banish. But, the key is to get height of your lawn mower just right. This is because if your grass is on the longer side it can block sunlight, which stops weeds from forming. Not only that, but keeping your lawn slightly longer will ensure it stays greet, since the roots will be longer too. If your lawn can grow dense it will eradicate dandelions on it's own too, according to the pro. This is because a thick lawn can resist weeds better than a short, thin lawn. Alec explained: 'Mowing high can help crowd out existing weeds provided that you have grass types that will stand up and fight.' Simply put, mowing your lawn stops a dandelion's cycle in it's tracks. 'It drives me wild, you just can't get rid of it' pro gardener reveals the nightmare weed every UK home is at risk of But as well as adjusting their lawnmowers to a higher setting, gardeners should also make sure they have a bag attachment on their machine to catch seed heads. Not only that, but lawn clippings should be disposed of properly and not added to compost, since the seen can live for up to five years buried. Previously, home experts at 21oak explained that killing off dandelions for good requires getting to the root of the issue. "The main problem is that once a dandelion plant fully establishes its 10-inch taproot, the weed will come back year after year," the experts explained. The perennial plants will return next year, no matter how hard you work to spray them into submission unless you can dig deep and remove the roots. Herbicides will only go so far in killing off dandelions for good, so you'll need to try a different tactic, like digging them up. It's easiest with wet soil. What is a weed? And why are they important? Simply put, a weed is a plant that grows in an area or space you don't want it to. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor, and keen gardener, explains why gardeners need to become friends with weeds. "From nettles, buttercups, docks and dandelions - there are so many wonderful plants that are called weeds. And yet, as soon as the weather warms up, and we spend more time in outside, we want to pluck, pull and kill as many of them as possible, to make our gardens look perfect and pristine. " Weeds are essential to our ecosystem - many are pollinators, providing food to bees, bats, beetles, butterflies, moths and wasps. And without weeds, these animals wouldn't survive past early Spring. " Weeds also give back to nature - when they die and decay, their roots break down, feed microorganisms and insects, and make pathways and tunnels for worms. Bountiful life below means plentiful life above. " Weeds are also brilliant indicators of soil health - which is important if you want to grow anything in your outdoor space. When microorganisms and insects break down weeds, they release essential nutrients into the soil that plants soak up. They also store nitrogen and carbon dioxide in the ground, creating cleaner air and removing greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, mitigating the climate crisis. "So before you pull out every weed in your garden, why not give a few of them a chance to grow and bloom, and see what enters your garden to enjoy the flowers..." "If you can't dig up the plants right after it rained, use a watering can to moisten the soil around the dandelion and wait a few minutes for the water to soak in," the pros at 21oak said. You should have a hole left behind – and that is what you can target with herbicide. "The only way to ensure all of the roots are gone is to treat the hole that the weed came out of," the experts advised. You'll need to use precision here. If you accidentally overdo it, you risk killing all the grass and other plants near the spot you uprooted your dandelion from. Once you've destroyed the dandelion patches in your lawn, re-fill the holes with dirt, and consider adding a pre-emergent herbicide to the soil to stop other weeds from cropping up later.
