I'm looking for safe and non-toxic methods to manage weeds in my church's playground, which has a weed barrier and about 1.5 feet of mulch. Unfortunately, bindweed and crabgrass are breaking through. What can I use to eliminate these weeds without harming the children or bees?
5 Answers
I've heard a mix of vinegar, salt, and dish soap can work too. Strong cleaning vinegar is best. Just be careful not to spray anything you want to keep alive! It’s effective but you need to watch your application.
Try using corn gluten meal in the spring for its pre-emergent properties! It suppresses annual weeds, but you’ll need to reapply every six weeks or so. It’s a bit of work, but it keeps the weeds in check without any harmful chemicals.
Hand pulling the weeds is the safest option. It’s simple and doesn’t pose any risk to kids or wildlife. Plus, it gets you some fresh air! Just make sure to check regularly, especially during peak growing seasons.
I’ve had success by raking back the mulch, pulling out what weeds I can, and then laying down a couple of layers of cardboard before putting the mulch back. It might take a few times in a season, but it really smothers the weeds! Just stock up on cardboard, as you'll need a lot.
Another option is pouring boiling water on the weeds. Just be sure not to do it when the kids are around! It’s a quick and effective way to kill unwanted plants.