My yard looked dreadful when I moved in – I took it as a challenge & fixed the grass without chemicals, my dog loves it
A HOMEOWNER has revealed how they overhauled their weed-riddled lawn without using chemicals.
They had to put their gardening expertise to the test after moving into a home with a “dreadful” backyard.
They took to Reddit’s Lawn Care forum to reveal the tricks that helped to improve their outdoor space.
GRIM GRASS
Posting under the name Madhaxx0r, they commented on a photo of a backyard infested with weeds.
“I just bought my first home, and this is exactly what the yard looked like,” they wrote.
“I took it as a challenge because my dog loves grass (never had a yard of her own though).
“Because she loves to eat the grass, I can’t use chemicals.
“I bought a couple bags of mulch, and a bag of contractor’s mix seed, and a trench spade.
“Each morning I choose a section and use the spade to dig down along the roots and pull the weeds.
“I then use the mulch to level out the craters, tossing the seed in (by hand) as I do.”
Mulch is made from organic materials such as dead plants, grass clipping, and compost.
Gardeners often use it for keeping moisture in the soil and suppressing weeds.
The homeowner said they have been using their gardening method since February with visible results.
They now only find “a handful” of new weeds sprouting when they look each day.
“The lawn is really patchy still, but my dog LOVES it already,” they said.
“My ultimate goal is to be able to post a pic here by February of next year, and feel good about it!
“I chose Inch by inch, not yard by yard since I spent all my money to buy the house.”
LAWN LUST
Many Redditors up-voted the post to show their appreciation for the advice and shared an eagerness to follow the homeowner’s progress.
“We recently had to put our dog down, but man did he love his yard,” one person said.
“Lawn work can be rewarding all on its own, but seeing your dog enjoy it as well is just icing on the cake.
“I look forward to seeing your progress next year.”
How to get rid of weeds
Tony Williams is the Estate Manager at Mount Ephraim Country House & Gardens in the UK.
He revealed to The U.S. Sun the best organic remedies for getting rid of weeds.
Two ingredient mix: “Mix four liters of vinegar, 250 grams of salt, and a tablespoon of soap for a potent weed killer,” he said.
Lemon juice: “Whether freshly squeezed or from a bottle, lemon juice is a simple, natural herbicide,” he revealed.
Boiling water: “Pouring boiling water on weeds can kill them instantly without harming nearby plants,” he said.
Diluted rubbing alcohol: “Spray this solution on weeds to induce water loss and effectively kill them,” he said.
Hand-picking: “Focus on removing them early, especially notorious ones like dandelions, to prevent seeds from scattering,” he said.
“I love that you did not let it overwhelm you and did inch by inch,” another said.
“I can’t wait to see your update next February!!”
BACKYARD BASICS
The tips come after Clint DeBoer told The U.S. Sun that chemical weed killers can harm lawn health and wildlife.
He recommended using a gardening hand fork to remove the unwanted plants.
He added that scarifying lawn in spring can help it to become “more receptive” to organic fertilizers.
The process involves cutting and removing debris from the outdoor space.