The rainy season can be frustrating. The wet conditions stimulate the germination of new weeds or even increase the vigor of existing weed plants.
Some weeds, such as dandelions and oxalis, produce seed heads during the rainy season. Therefore, these weeds should be removed before their seeds can scatter in your garden.
In addition, when removing the weeds, you must be careful to remove all root tubers to prevent re-sprouting.
So, what is the best way to remove weeds after the rains? Here are several techniques to permanently remove weeds from your lawn, yard, or garden after rain.
1. Mechanical Weed Control Solutions
Mechanical weed control involves physically removing weeds by hand or using weed removal tools. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways of eradicating weeds.
Can you pull weeds after the rains? The answer is an emphatic yes. You can easily pull weeds from the roots when the soil is wet, thus preventing root tuber regrowth.
Even tough weeds can be pulled from the roots using a hoe or other weed-extraction tools.
2. Natural Weed Killers
Natural remedies are another option if you are looking for the best way to remove weeds after rains.
These remedies are affordable and pose no health risks for humans and animals. Examples of natural home remedies you can use to kill weeds in the rainy season include:
1. Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most effective natural weed killers. When sprayed on weeds, the acetic acid in vinegar dries out the plants, causing them to wither and die.
Vinegar is especially effective when targeting small, young plants, like the ones that start sprouting after rains.
However, you can still use vinegar for other types of weeds, as it will generally kill any plant it comes into contact with.
You can also make your vinegar weed-killer solution more effective by adding other substances.
For example, you can add salt, which will cause the weeds to dry up faster, or liquid dish soap, allowing the solution to stick to the leaves.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another natural technique to kill weeds after it rains. It acts by dehydrating the target plants, causing them to dry up.
You can sprinkle baking soda on the leaves or mix it with water, then spot-spraying. You can also add other weed killers, such as vinegar and lemon juice, to make the solution more effective.
3. Boiling Water
Boiling water is an easily available and highly effective natural weed killer. The heat from the water destroys the weed plants’ anatomical structure, causing them to die.
Boiling water is perfect for dealing with young weeds emerging during the rainy season. The only drawback is that the scalding water can damage other plants if you are not careful during the application.
4. Propane Torch
Are you tired of dealing with weed during the rainy season? Why not torch them?
A propane torch allows you to target weeds that have sprouted or reinvigorated after rains. It is an excellent solution as it does not add harmful substances to your garden.
On top of that, the burnt-down weeds become organic matter, enriching the soil.
5. Salt
Salt is another effective natural weed killer that can help eradicate unwanted plants. Once salt comes into contact with weeds, it will draw out the water through osmosis, causing the plant to wither and die.
The best part about using salt to kill weeds after it rains is that leaves will be wet, making it easier for the salt to stick.
In addition, any excess salt will be diluted the next time it rains, thus ensuring other plants are not harmed.
You can either use rock or Epsom salt for weed removal.
3. Chemical Herbicides
Chemical herbicides are another excellent solution for killing weeds after rains.
They are especially effective on stubborn plants that may have sprouted or increased in vigor due to the wet conditions.
Categories of herbicides you can use during the rainy season include:
1. Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Pre-emergent herbicides are an excellent option to permanently remove weeds from the soil after rain. These herbicides seep into the soil and form a chemical barrier that prevents weeds from germinating.
Therefore, pre-emergent herbicides are excellent for controlling weeds that usually start sprouting after the rainy season starts.
In addition, subsequent rain can increase the effectiveness of the herbicides by pushing them deeper into the ground where the weed seeds are located.
Unfortunately, too much rainfall can dilute the herbicide or cause a run-off. Therefore, you must carefully time your application between the rains for the herbicides to work.
2. Post-Emergent Herbicides
Post-emergent herbicides are designed for weeds that have already germinated. Therefore, they are perfect for eradicating weeds germinating or re-sprouting during the rainy season.
This means post-emergent herbicides should be applied after rains, unlike pre-emergent ones that are sprayed before or between the rains.
Is it better to spray weeds after rain? Yes, when dealing with post-emergent herbicides, you are better off applying them after the rain.
Applying the herbicides after the rains will give weeds enough time to sprout, thus allowing the chemical to act on them.
Secondly, post-emergent herbicides usually work by contact (the leaves, stem, or roots). Therefore, spraying them during or between rains can result in a wash-off, rendering the chemical agents ineffective.
Other Tips for Controlling Weeds During the Rainy Season
On top of the above solutions for killing weeds, you can also employ other techniques to prevent or control the growth of unwanted plants. These techniques include:
1. Mulching
Mulching blocks sunlight from the soil while creating a barrier that prevents weeds from growing. Therefore, adding mulch to your soil immediately after rains is an effective weed control solution.
Besides controlling weeds, mulching after rains will also help to retain soil moisture. On top of that, as the mulch breaks down, the organic matter will enrich the soil, improving the health of your plants.
2. Cultivation
Cultivating after rains is an excellent way to control weeds. Cultivation disturbs the soil, bringing seeds and germinating weeds to the surface, thus curtailing their growth.
3. Adding Fertilizer
Rains, especially heavy rains, can wash away fertilizer in the soil, leaving your plants without sufficient nutrients.
Therefore, applying fertilizer after a rainy season can help to enrich the soil and reinvigorate your plants, making them less susceptible to weeds.
If you are looking for the best way to remove weeds after rains, the above are some excellent options. These solutions can help you deal with weeds that emerge or increase in vigor following rains.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.