One of the first of many commands my wife gave me after we got married was to rip up all the nandinas in front of my house. «It makes the house look abandoned,» she stated. «If you don't do it, I will.»
29.08.2024 - 03:28 / southernliving.com / Lauren David
Weeds, also known as plants out of place, are part of gardening. Tiny plants crop up in areas where you least expect them or alongside other plants, where they compete for the same resources. Some weeds are easy to remove while others require more time and effort. If you have an organic garden or want to minimize using herbicides and chemicals in your garden, you likely spend ample time pulling weeds. And you may wonder if pouring boiling water is an effective option to kill weeds naturally.
We spoke to gardening experts about how pouring boiling water over weeds works, when to use this method, and tips and considerations before implementing this technique.
Pouring boiling water on weeds is a chemical-free method that works as a contact herbicide to eliminate unwanted plants in an area of your garden. This technique is best for small weeds with shallow roots rather than weeds with deep roots or more established weeds. "[Boiling water] usually will only kill the top of the plant that's above ground and will not kill the root, especially on older weeds that have a deep root system or taproot," says Barbara Smith, Consumer Horticulturist with the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC).
The scalding water harms the foliage, not the roots, which is why it's best for small weeds. «Boiling water works by shocking the weeds, which damages the plant cells and ultimately kills them,» says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of
One of the first of many commands my wife gave me after we got married was to rip up all the nandinas in front of my house. «It makes the house look abandoned,» she stated. «If you don't do it, I will.»
Sometimes, we want to refresh our clothes and linens beyond just setting a normal washing machine cycle.
When the season changes, your indoor plants’ needs also transform. So, why reduce watering in fall and winter? This modification benefits your plants and helps them confront the oncoming cold and less bright days. Let’s explore the details.
Let's be honest: staying on top of cleaning and organizing every room in your home can get overwhelming—and before you know it, piles of junk on countertops and crammed-full kitchen cabinets can feel unmanageable.
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Venus fly traps (also called Venus flytraps or just a flytrap) are among the coolest plants you can grow. In their native habitat, Venus fly traps live for years. Unfortunately, they are often short-lived plants in cultivation, but this is only because most people don’t care for them properly. In this article, you’ll learn all the essential basics of Venus fly trap care. Varieties of Venus fly traps There is only one species of Venus fly trap, Dionaea muscipula, and it is native to a small
Pothos are great houseplants because they’re easy to care for. One popular way to grow them is in water so you can watch them grow right before your eyes. It’s fun and easy to have a green plant in your home without fuss this way. But don’t just do it in boring, transparent glass; use these wonderful Pothos in water ideas.
There are few sights more iconic than a garden full of colorful hydrangea blooms. These perennials make their reappearance in late spring and, depending on the variety, they could put on one stunning show or deliver lush flowers all summer long. But making sure you're set up for the most blooms possible means transplanting any new hydrangeas at the right time.
Seeing hummingbirds delight at backyard feeders is one of the many joys of birders across the South, but making sure they are kept happy–and staying at your feeder–can be an overwhelming thought.
You've likely heard that burying banana peels in your garden is a good way to add important nutrients to the soil to grow healthy plants. Banana peels do contain nutrients, but not as many as you may think. Plus, it's not as simple as placing them in the soil and skipping fertilizer or compost.
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Header image: A NASA artist concept of future crews living and working on the Moon. NASA/Davidson