Getting Rid of Purslane in Your Vegetable Garden
Delivered through bird droppings, wind, and even from your own clothes, purslane weed can become a hassle in your vegetable garden. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to get rid of these pesky weeds.
Remove by Hand
The most effective way to get rid of purslane from your garden is to remove them by hand. Wearing long clothes or gardening gloves, it is important to dig out the entire weed, including the deep taproot that it grows. Make sure to go one inch below the soil when pulling out the weed as leaving a piece of the root in the soil may lead to the weed re-growing. Do this regularly to prevent the weed from re-establishing itself and becoming a nuisance in your garden.
Use Mulch
Using mulch in your vegetable garden with effective in warding off weed growth while providing essential nutrients for your vegetables. Consider using organic mulch such as wood chips, shredded bark or leaves. As these mulches break down over time, they provide essential nutrients and moisture for that can benefit your vegetables.
Choose the Right Plants
Selecting the right plants for your vegetable garden is important for deterring weed growth. Some vegetables such as corn, squash and melons have large leaves that can effectively prevent smaller weeds like purslane from receiving sunlight. Planting a dense crop like lettuce or spinach that is closer to the soil’s surface can also help to crowd out weeds.
Homemade Weeds Killer
If you would like an organic weed killer, you can easily make your own with a few basic ingredients right in your kitchen.
Ingredient:
- 1 gallon of white vinegar
- ¼ cup of salt
- 2 tablespoon of liquid dish soap
Directions:
- Mix all ingredient in a large spray bottle
- Shake well to combine
- Spray directly on the purslane weed
- Reapply every few days to make sure the weed is totally gone
By following these simple steps, you can get to work on getting rid of purslane in your vegetable garden.
