Organic Herbicides: Types, Benefits, and Precautions
The constant tug-of-war between a gardener and weeds has led to a market filled with various commercial products. These products more or less serve the same function: to kill weeds and other unwanted elements in a garden or a farm. They vary in terms of effectiveness and impact on the environment.
Herbicides: What They Are & Types
Let’s start with the difference between herbicides and pesticides. As the name suggests, herbicides are used to kill weeds while pesticides are for insects and bugs, although some of them can also be effective on weeds.
Herbicides are an efficient alternative to pulling out weeds by hand. They kill weeds by scorching them or by disrupting their biological functions such as respiration and photosynthesis. Herbicides come in four varieties:
- Contact herbicides
These herbicides kill only the parts of the plant they touch.
- Systemic herbicides
Foliage or roots absorb these herbicides and translocate it to other parts of the plant.
- Pre-emergence herbicides
When mixed into the soil, they will kill germinating seeds and small seedlings.
- Post-emergence herbicides.
These are for fully grown weeds and will either hinder photosynthesis or inhibit growth.
Choosing Organic Herbicides Over Chemical Herbicides
We have to be careful when choosing and using herbicides.
Chemical herbicides can contain inorganic compounds such as
- ammonium sulfamate
- carbon bisulfide
- sodium chlorate
- sulfuric acid solutions
- sulfuric acid
- borate
- iron sulfate
- copper nitrate
- ammonium
- potassium salts
These ingredients are harmful not only to plants but also to insects and worms. The chemicals absorbed by the plants also enter our bodies when we consume them. Chemical herbicides also affect the soil and over time and with frequent use, may inhibit its ability to sustain crops.
An alternative would be to use organic herbicides which have safer ingredients. Their list of active ingredients include:
- acetic acid
- citric acid
- d-limonene (citrus oil)
- clove oil or clove leaf oil
- cinnamon oil
- lemongrass oil
- eugenol
- 2-phenethyl propionate
- sodium lauryl sulfate
- ammonium nonanoate
- pelargonic acid
- fatty acids
You will also find inert ingredients, surfactants, and adjuvants in organic herbicides. These ingredients are almost always organic.
The effectiveness of organic herbicides varies depending upon the type of weed, the size, and even the weather. They work best on weeds that are less than four inches tall.
Other Natural Ways to Kill Weeds
Other natural methods to kill weeds which don’t involve herbicides at all are:
1. Straight vinegar
Using strong vinegar disrupts weeds’ water retention ability and ultimately dries them up. You usually need to use it multiple times for the weed to die.
2. Pouring boiling water on the weed
This is a way to kill the weed by burning it.
3. Solarization
This method involves covering the weed completely with fabric during the hot summer weeks. The prolonged heat exposure will kill the weeds along with their seeds.
When choosing herbicides, we should make an informed decision because they impact our health and the environment. Organic herbicides and natural ways of killing weeds can be effective solutions which take a minimal toll on nature.
Conclusion
At Green Schools Green Future, we believe in a greener way of life based on organic products and healthy habits. Our curriculum aims to teach children the skills they will need to live sustainably.
Want more sustainability tips and updates on our green school project? Join our growing community!
Sources:
https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/gardening-pros-cons/pesticide-and-herbicide-pros-and-cons/
https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/earth/environment/studies/herbicide
https://extension.sdstate.edu/organic-herbicides
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/using-organic-herbicides.htm#:~:text=What%20is%20an%20Organic%20Herbicide%3F,effects%20and%20are%20low%20toxic.
http://www.llojibwe.org/drm/greenteam/pesticides_Article.pdf
