Wear thick gardening gloves to avoid getting pricked by the burrs. If the soil is dry or tough, moisten it with water to loosen it.
Turning the soil over with your hoe also helps remove small weeds. It’s best to do this on a hot, dry day so you can easily rotate the topsoil.
Though they shouldn’t be sprayed on garden plants, 2,4-D and dicamba herbicides can be sprayed across lawns without worry, as they generally won’t harm lawn grass. [7] X Research source
You can also use a store-bought horticultural vinegar, however many states require registration to use stronger vinegars such as these as a pesticide, so check with your agricultural commissioner if the practice is allowed in your area. [10] X Research source
You can use a propane or gasoline-powered flamer to burn the weeds. Never use a weed flamer in a flammable area, such as sections of your garden that contain mulch or dry plants.
When you’re done in the garden, inspect your clothes, shoes, wheelbarrow, and other tools for clinging seeds, and remove them so that they can’t fall off later and grow. [13] X Research source
For an added layer of protection, put a layer of newspaper or wet cardboard over the soil before you add the mulch. Don’t spread mulch over lawns, as it will kill the grass.
This method is best used in tandem with other methods mentioned in this article, however when both species of weevil are used together, it can be adequately effective. [17] X Research source Always consult your local government agricultural authority before introducing a foreign species into the environment.
