Weeds are a problem for many gardeners. Some weeds grow so quickly that it’s hard to keep up with them, and some types of weeds can be impossible to get rid of completely.
The best way to control and get rid of weeds is by preventing new ones from growing in the first place. This means you need a good plan for keeping your garden free from weeds, as well as knowing how to deal with existing ones when they appear.
Difficulty removing weeds
Weeds are notoriously hard to get rid of. They’re the weed that refuses to die, even in the harshest conditions.
And because they grow so quickly, they can easily take over your garden in a day or two. That becomes expensive when you have to buy more plants and supplies just because weeds destroyed everything else around them!
But don’t worry—it turns out there are plenty of ways to get rid of these pesky weeds once and for all. And we’ve got all the tips right here.
Methods to get rid of weeds
So, whether you’re dealing with dandelions, clover, or any other weed, we’ve got you covered. Just read on for all the best ways to eradicate them from your garden for good!
Method 1: Pulling The Weeds
This is the first step to getting rid of weeds. Grab a pair of gloves and check out our article on how to remove weeds for step-by-step instructions. Basically, you just need to grab the weed at its base—being careful not to damage your plants or crops—and pull it up with a quick motion.
If the weed is stubborn and doesn’t want to come out, you can use a garden fork or trowel to pry it out of the ground. Just be careful not to damage your plants in the process.
Once you’ve pulled up all the weeds, you can either dispose of them or use them in natural weedkiller recipes.
Method 2: Weedkillers
Broadleaf weeds are notoriously hard to kill, but there are some homemade remedies that work well at eradicating these tough plants.
You can make one of our weed-killing recipes, buy a ready-made commercial product, or try boiling the plant leaves in water to make a spray.
Here are our best homemade weedkillers:
Dandelion and Clover Killer
This is a potent mixture of vinegar, salt, and dish soap that’s made from common household items. It kills dandelions and clover dead within 24 hours! To use, pour the concentrated liquid into a spray bottle and apply it to the leaves of the weed.
Weed & Grass Killer
This recipe is made from Epsom salts, dish soap, and ammonia. It’s a great all-purpose weed killer that can also be used on grass. Just mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle and apply directly to the leaves of the weed.
You can also buy ready-made weed killers from your local hardware or garden store. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow them to a tee for the best results.
- White vinegar
- Shelf life: unopened: 24 months
- Store out of direct sunlight
- From Golden Swan
Method 3: Mulch
Mulching is a great way to keep weeds at bay, and it’s especially useful on weeds. To use, apply a 3-inch layer of weed control fabric over your garden soil, and top it with mulch. The weed control fabric will prevent the weeds from growing while the mulch will cut off their light supply and suffocate them.
Method 4: Cover Them Up
This isn’t a long-term solution, but it can be helpful in the short term while you’re trying to get your weeds under control. Just cover them up with a tarp or an old sheet and wait until they die. They should be completely dead within a week.
Method 5: Flame Them Out
If you don’t mind getting a little dirty, you can use a propane torch to kill broadleaf weeds. Just be sure to use caution and avoid burning your plants in the process.
Method 6: Dig Them Out
This is the most labour-intensive method, but it’s also the most effective. Just dig up the entire weed to kill it. It sounds easy, but you’ll find that these weeds have long taproots that can be nearly impossible to remove all at once!
They’re stubborn, but if you keep digging around the roots to loosen them up, they should eventually come out of the soil.

Method 7: Solarization
This is another time-consuming method, but it’s very effective. First, remove all vegetation from your garden or yard. Then cover the area with clear plastic (you can use a shade cloth if you like). The plastic will trap the sun’s heat and kill any weeds trapped underneath it.
It’s a great way to kill off existing weeds before planting new crops.
Method 8: Boiling Water
Even though this isn’t a natural weed killer, it still works incredibly well on weeds. Just fill a pot or container with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Then pour the boiling water directly onto the leaves of the weed. It will kill them in minutes.

Plan of action to remove weeds
A plan of action to remove weeds is a good way to keep your garden healthy and beautiful.
Most people don’t think about it, but weeds can be harmful to other plants in the garden, especially when they’re growing close enough to them that they get tangled up.
Weeding isn’t just about pulling up the visible plants; it’s also about getting rid of any roots that might be left behind. You’ll want to use a shovel or another gardening tool with a blade on one side for this task. Weeds usually have thicker roots than many other types of plants, so they can be difficult to pull up if they’ve grown deep into the ground over time.
Once you’ve identified the weed and removed its roots, you can start to take steps to prevent it from growing back. One way to do this is by using mulch. Mulch is a type of material, like straw or leaves, that you can spread over the ground around your plants. It helps keep the soil moist and cold, which is harmful to weeds. However, mulch shouldn’t be placed too close to the plant stems of your flowers and vegetables because it can cause fungus and other diseases.
Another option is to use weed killer. Many homeowners have found that by mixing two or three parts of water with one part of weed killer in a spray bottle and applying this mixture to weeds, they can eliminate them almost instantly. Make sure you follow the directions on the weed killer label carefully because different brands may require different types of applications.
You can also consider planting new plants where the weeds once stood. This is a more time-consuming project, but it’s often effective in reducing the amount of weed growth that occurs in a specific area. The safest way to do this is to buy plants from a garden store instead of starting them yourself in your own backyard since the latter might introduce weeds into your new garden.
In addition to these steps, you can enlist the help of wildlife that eats weed seeds and other insects that eat weed plants. By introducing these animals to your garden, you can naturally reduce the number of weeds that appear.
In conclusion
Weeds thrive off of neglect and poor care, so taking action as soon as possible will help you regain your lawn and garden.
Here we have listed eight methods but realistically a combination of methods will achieve the best results.
Want to know more about how to get rid of weeds?
Knotweed Removal aims to provide the most up-to-date information, help and advice for YOU to make informed decisions. If you are unsure or uncertain about how to proceed, please reach out to us and we will gladly come back and advise you as best we can.
Governmental advice can be found here and the UK law covering the removal of Japanese Knotweed as stated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 can be found here.
The best means to contact us is via our email – hello@knotweedremoval.tips
Do not forget we have a library of blogs covering many areas relevant to Japanese Knotweed, our free downloadable How-to Guides and Product Reviews on the latest methods being employed to eradicate or remove Japanese Knotweed.
Knotweed Removal, UK
- Liquid concentrate tree stump and tough weed killer
- Kills most garden weeds and tree stumps with a single application
- Children and pets need not be excluded from treated areas (once dry)
- Fully degrades in soil by microbial action
- Leaves no harmful residues to allow replanting
- Quickly & effectively clears areas of weeds and unwanted vegetation.
- Super concentrated 360 gram/litre Glyphosate formula. DILUTION REQUIRED. Kills & eliminates weeds at the root.
- 2 litres treats up to 3332 sq. meters.
- Perfect for a range of hard surfaces such as patios, decking, aggregates and driveways.
- PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the type of weed and climate, please allow up to 7 days to see the effects of the treatment. Some weeds may take up to 4 weeks for the weedkiller to take effect.
- Kills ivy japanese knotweed, saplings, brambles and nettles to the root
- Kills up to 16 tree stumps
- Contains a reusable pipette for specialist treatment of japanese knotweed
- Kills the roots so weeds don't come back
- Degraded in the soil by micro organisms
- Quickly & effectively clears areas of weeds and unwanted vegetation. Supplied with a handy spray gun and hose attachment for easy application.
- Ready-to-use 7.2 gram/litre Glyphosate formula. NO DILUTION REQUIRED. Kills & eliminates weeds at the root.
- One 4 litre bottle treats up to 140 sq. meters.
- Perfect for a range of hard surfaces such as patios, decking, aggregates and driveways.
- PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the type of weed and climate, please allow up to 7 days to see the effects of the treatment. Some weeds may take up to 4 weeks for the weedkiller to take effect.
- Fast action ready to use weed killer that kills the weeds and roots with visible results in 1-2 days
- Kills most garden weeds with a single application; up to 10 minutes of continuous spray when using 5 L option
- Children and pets need not be excluded from treated areas (once dry)
- The Pump N Go pressure sprayer is easily refillable, a one- touch trigger prevents hand fatique and extendable lance avoids bending.
- Degraded in the soil by micro organisms