Our lawn is currently littered with weeds and we are looking for the best solution to permanently eliminate our problem. Could you please identify these weeds and suggest the best product to kill them without harming our grass? Thank you
You have a least 2 common lawn weeds, violets and creeping charlie. Both require repeat applications of herbicide. Here is an article that discusses these weeds and control measures. Understand that these weeds are likely coming from a neighbor's yard and will make frequent appearances in your lawn if that is so. They spread by seed and runners. http://extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/weeds/managing_creeping_charlie_and_violets.cfm
Is there a product that will kill weeds in the garden without killing the plants you want to keep?
There are herbicides that kill everything, ones that only kill grass and ones that kill plants with broad leaves (not like grass). But I don't think there is an herbicide that can tell good plant from weed. Most weeds can be manually removed but some are so persistent that herbicide makes sense. In those cases, I have used a 1/4 or 1/2" foam paintbrush to apply herbicide directly to the weed. I have also made a cone with glossy paper and used that to protect surrounding plants and direct the spray to the weed. The point of GMO corn, etc is to allow farmers to spray weeds without killing the corn. We aren't there with garden plants!
can I use alcohol in the garden
There is some use for alcohol in the garden.
This link has more information.
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/1057
What is a natural weed killer that won’t effect the honey bees? I want to use the weed killer in the crushed stone driveway. I started for the first time beekeeping and wouldn’t want to cause any harm to them.
These articles will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/homemade-pet-friendly-weed-killer.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/using-salt-to-kill-weeds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/using-organic-herbicides.htm
I recently moved house and acquired a pant growing up a fence which the output owner told me was a Fallopia. It grows very vigorously over the fence and is attractive. I have now been told that it is a Japanese knotwood. Is this correct and, if so, should I have it removed?
I wouldn't possibly be able to identify this without a picture. If you can include one, then I will be more than glad to help.
Japanese knotweed must be removed by someone who knows how to do it correctly. It spreads aggressively and the roots have been known to damage concrete and asphalt. Without a picture, an ID isn't possible but there are many images on the internet. To be clear, Japanese Knotweed is not a vine; your comment that it grows "over the fence" sounds like vine which brings the correct ID into question. Can you attach a photo?
I have these things growing in my lawn. Help
Since they have been cut, it will be hard for me to identify it. I would recommend digging out as much as you can, then pouring boiling water over the spot to kill off any remaining roots.
Digging them out will be the easiest and most effective way to remove these.
You I have big veg, herb, flower garden and every yr i put straw on it for keeping weeds down and mosture control. i have almost no weeds and my soil is beautiful-this year the straw is nothing but seeds and my garden is a mess. What is the best way to deal with this? i have been pulling and turning over and making piles of it around the garden... please help, thanks Linda
I would recommend using boiling water before you plant, to make sure that anything in the straw is dead. This will help keep weeds out. I could also recommend solarizing the straw through the winter, so that it is ready and weed free in spring.
This article will help you to learn to solarize plots: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm