Four clever ways to get rid of dandelions for good in your garden without breaking the bank
DANDELIONS can be tricky to get rid of once the pop up in your garden, and they can spread pretty quickly too.
Although there are a few methods to remove them using pricey products these often contain harsh chemicals that can damage other plants and wildlife.
That’s why Alec McClennan, an organic lawncare expert from Good Nature, has shared four simple tricks you can use to banish the weeds without breaking the bank or causing harm the your lawn or wildlife.
Pick the right fertiliser for your grass
Since dandelions mostly grow during the warm summer months, but using corn gluten meal on your grass can help stop new weeds from growing.
Alec explained: “[It] is an excellent slow-release natural fertiliser that contains about nine percent nitrogen as a protein.
“In addition, corn gluten meal has been shown to suppress new seed germination to some degree. That means that it will help minimise new seeds from turning into plants.”
Mow your lawn at the perfect height
Most lawnmowers will have a leaver so you can adjust the height of the grass.
Mowing at a higher height can help stop dandelions and other weeds from forming in the first place, since longer grass will prevent seeds from germinating.
Not only that, but longer grass will help your lawn look “greener” as well as make turf stronger and grass healthier, the pro explained.
Stick to an organic weed killer
It’s no secret that chemicals are bad for your lawn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use some weed killers.
Alec recommended opting for something more natural, like Captain Jack’s Lawnweed Brew, which won’t harm pets or wildlife.
“It will weaken and kill many broadleaf weeds like dandelions, without killing the grass.
“Because it is naturally occurring it is ok to seed the same day you apply it,” he told Express.co.uk.
Don’t forget to mulch
An effective way to stop weeds growing, mulching involves covering soil with organic material like leaves or straw to feed plants – but as well as keeping your plants fed it has the added bonus of suppressing weeds, including dandelions.
This can be done in autumn or spring, but the expert suggested waiting until later in the year to try this method, since there’s usually more leaves and other materials to use then.
“So this year, instead of raking your leaves to the curb, run over them with your lawn mower until they’re all chopped up and leave them on your lawn.”
May gardening jobs
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May.
GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there’s so much more to do and grow.
Plant out dahlia tubers
It’s a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get – and space accordingly – anything up to half a metre apart.
It’s a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them.
And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July.
Final feed to Spring flowers
You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils.
Although the majority of bulbs aren’t guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you’ve left them to die back naturally there’s a good chance they’ll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine.
Tie up climbers
Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now – try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don’t sprout off in crazy directions.
Feed the lawn
It’s not too late to give your lawn a good feed.
Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months.
While mowing, don’t go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height.
Get creative
It’s also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots.
Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets.
And pots can be planted with spring bulbs.
Don’t forget the greenhouse!
Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out.
The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul.
You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution – or even neat if you’re feeling spendy – which gives a really good shine.