Boiling water – simply pour over to kill leaf growth (although it won’t kill the roots of perennial weeds like dandelions) In spring, before mowing use a wire-toothed rake to lift the developing runners so that they can be cut by the mower. Aerate in autumn to improve drainage. Weedkillers for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining weedkillers available to gardeners; see sections 1b, 4 and 5) Links As a rule, avoid weed killers with Glyphosate, opting instead for those listing natural and organic ingredients. Getting rid of weeds the eco-friendly way For smaller trees the stumps can be pulled out with a winch. These can be hired by gardeners with the knowledge to use them safely. For leverage it is necessary to leave a good sized stub on the stump (up to 1.2m (4ft) high) rather than cutting it off at ground level.

Suppress unwanted weeds by planting with groundcover plants. Choose species such as Euonymus, Ballota, Pachysandra, Vinca, Bergenia, Waldsternia. More plant suggestions Stems and roots shaken free of soil can be finely shredded and used as a mulch. Alternatively they can be taken to a local council green waste facility or burnt in bonfires. However, bonfires create pollution and may also annoy neighbours. They should be conducted when wind and weather mean that smoke will not enter houses or inhibit others from enjoying their garden. Here are some government guidelines on garden bonfires. Weedkillercontrol Invasive Non-native Specialists Association (INNSA) maintains a membership list of contractors and consultants phone 0800 1300 485. Weedkillers for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining weedkillers available to gardeners; see sections 1a and 4) LinksAlthough itrarely setsseed in this country,Japanese knotweedcan sprout from very small sections of rhizomes. Under the provisions made within Schedule 9 ofthe Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.

Another very easy tool to use is a long-handled hoe, which might seem a bit old fashioned but really they’re so easy to use, just scratching over the soil surface around plants to loosen the roots of small weeds. On a dry, breezy day you can just leave the weed on the soil surface to wilt and die." Best homemade weed killers to get rid of weeds naturally Finally, cover the whole top of the stump with a plastic sheet to keep off the rain and secure in placeWhere garden plants do not require protection (e.g. on an unplanted area), the most efficient and cost-effective method for treating larger areas of weeds is usually with a concentrate Stump and root killers currently on the market are those containing glyphosate (e.g. Roundup Stump Killer,Doff Tree Stump & Tough Weedkiller and Westland Resolva ProTree Stump killer) or triclopyr (Vitax SBK Brushwood Killer). Pressure washing of hard surfaces gets rid of small weeds and moss, as well as clearing residues of soil and organic matter that would provide seed beds for weeds

Alternatively, machines known as stump grinders will mechanically grind out the main root plate, leaving fine sawdust. Although stump grinders can be hired, they are potentially hazardous and are only for gardeners confident that they can use machinery safely. Some roots will inevitably be left in the ground but the majority should eventually rot down. Thoroughly wash out sprayers or watering cans after use and dispose of the rinsings on a treated area or uncultivated patch of groundRemember: horsetail is persistent, and several applications– possibly over a number of years– may be necessary to completely eradicate the problem. It is not illegal to have Japanese knotweed in your garden, but on your property you should aim to control this invasive non-native plant to prevent it becoming a problem in your neighbourhood. If it has a "detrimental effect of a persistent or continuing nature on the quality of life of those in the locality", the legislation could be used to enforce its control and property owners may be prosecuted

Of course, no one wants a completely overgrown garden. So, to help the environment rather than hinder it, you want a good quality, eco-friendly weed killer. One that you know will work, but won't be harmful to wildlife, your pets or children. The best weed killers that won't hurt the environment A number of cases in 2016 suggest some sources of growing media (e.g. growbags) may be contaminated with hormonal weedkiller, most likely from composted green waste containing clopyralid. See section below on how to run a germination test if you suspect a compost may be a source of weedkiller residues. Glyphosate Being non-selective, it is essential to avoid spray drift onto neighbouring plants. It is important to have good leaf coverage so that as much chemical is absorbed as possible Method 2: Plants usually easily killed using one or two applications of weedkillers containing 2,4-D plus mecoprop-P or 2,4-D plus dicamba. Examples include Doff Complete Lawn Feed, Weed & Mosskiller,Vitax All in One Lawn Feed, Weed & Mosskiller or Westland Aftercut All-in-One Feed, Weed & Mosskiller (also contains fertiliser and mosskiller). A range of weedkiller products available for UK gardeners can be found on our annually updated list below;Generally, we would recommend keeping your dog off the grass for at least 30 hours. Can weed killer kill dogs?