Grazing weeds with Sheep would be an ideal solution if one could just let some loose in one's garden to tamper the sprouting of weeds in backyard gardens. It is a well-known fact that cows and horses favor grasses, while sheep and goats tend to prefer leafy forbs, including most species of invasive weeds.
Keeping up with weeds can be rather frustrating. It seems as soon as you pull one weed up in one location another one springs up in another.
I could swear I am living in a bad episode of Disney's ' The Soccer's Apprentice' . The more I pull weeds and hoe the ground, the more the weeds seem to spring up! Week after week, like a good gardener, I can be found in the garden pulling them, yet I seem to be losing the battle. Things have turned rather comical as I can be observed wrestling with the more stubborn ones, slipping and sliding and falling backward in this game of tug of war. Micky ~ Now I know how you felt!
Image courtesy of Film Reference
You see weed roots come in all sizes from those that are shallow, to those that are deep under the soil determined on a secret home invasion. Pesky weeds are all abundant in my yard such as Ivies, Dandelion, Thistle Honeysuckle- yes you heard me right that last one smells great, but has become a foe of this household. We speak its name in a low hiss with disgust!
Weeds - Monochrome #1
So what is one to do? Well, the 1st line of defense seems to buy excellent tools. The sturdier the better, like my favorite the dandelion digger, which looks like a notched screwdriver and is made to penetrate the soil and remove weed roots from deep in the ground. It does a great job with the smaller weeds, but not the really deep-rooted ones.
Flexrake Weeder Available via Amazon
I don't really like industrial-strength weed killers and was so thrilled to be introduced to the Eco-Smart Organic Weed Killer. The line is safe to be used around children and pets and is eco-friendly. This is always a big concern for me since my Yorkie is a teacup, always running around where I am gardening and second since I also plant veggies in between my flower beds.
By using essential plant oils formulas have been developed that allowed Eco Smart to create a 100% safe pesticide line. The company makes other eco-friendly products as well, from Garden fungicide to Insect Repellent
If you like to learn more about how to combat the enemies of your garden make sure to visit The Eco smart Blog
