One natural item to make your garden a 'weed-free wonderland'

Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Weeds can make a garden appear untidy and steal sunlight, water, and nutrients from the lawn, weakening the grass. While it may seem convenient to use a chemical weed killer, this method can contaminate the soil and harm beneficial pollinators like bumblebees and butterflies. Ross from Lawn and Weed Expert has encouraged gardeners to avoid spending money on harsh products. He suggests using cornmeal to transform your lawn into a "weed-free wonderland". Ross said: "A naturally organic and non-toxic weed suppressant, corn gluten meal is said to prevent weed seeds from germinating without harming the healthy grass, effectively cutting weeds off at the source before they have a chance to ravage your lawn." Cornmeal is an excellent natural method to prevent weeds in spring as it targets weed seeds and stops them from germinating. This common kitchen ingredient contains proteins that inhibit weeds from sprouting roots, ensuring your lawn remains tidy and attractive throughout the year. In addition to removing weeds, cornmeal is a rich source of nitrogen, a nutrient that aids grass in converting energy to grow greener and thicker. However, the main drawback of cornmeal is that it only prevents weeds when they are seeds, reports the Express. Therefore, if you already have weeds sprouting from the ground, it won't be much help. If you're looking for a natural remedy to tackle established weeds, one straightforward yet unusual method is using vodka or gin. Ross said: "While it may seem likely a waste of perfectly good alcohol, both vodka and gin make for surprisingly effective weed killers without killing your grass. Simply spray onto the desired area and let nature take its course." It might seem odd, but alcohol has the ability to draw moisture out of weeds and break them down when exposed to sunlight, effectively killing them within just a few hours. Ross added: "While this may seem odd, if you've ever had a heavy night at a festival and woken up in a hot tent the following morning, you'll completely understand why. Just try to keep the spray generally aimed at the weeds, as it can have a similar dehydrative effect on flowers too." To prepare this solution, mix one part vodka or gin with six parts water, ensuring it's sufficiently diluted to prevent harm if it accidentally gets on the grass. This homemade herbicide does not distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants, however, it's less likely to cause significant damage to your lawn if some of it manages to get onto the grass. For an enhanced effect, consider adding a few drops of washing-up liquid to the mixture; this helps the solution adhere to the weeds instead of splashing off. Decant the solution into an unused spray bottle, then liberally apply it directly onto the weed. This should keep your lawn free from weeds for a number of weeks, letting you relish the sunny weather in a well-kept garden.