How To Kill Unwanted Grass In Flower Beds Without Harsh Chemicals

There are few things more satisfying than a perfectly designed and planted flower bed, but unfortunately, that perfection doesn't always last long. When grasses start popping up in your flower beds, there are a variety of ways to deal with the nuisance. Many involve potentially exposing yourself and your beloved flowers and plants to harsh herbicides, though. So, if you're trying to avoid that, one option worth considering is to simply use boiling water to kill it.

The obvious advantage of the boiling water method is that it is entirely organic. It can also quickly kill back unwanted blades of grass. Unfortunately, as a contact killer, it fails to kill roots, so you may find yourself needing to do it more than once. It's also important to remember that just because harsh chemicals aren't involved, that doesn't necessarily make this a completely safe method for yourself. 

Many home remedy weedkillers are just as risky as traditional herbicides when it comes to injuring the gardener. You have to be careful to avoid accidentally scalding yourself or damaging your plants with the boiling water in the process. Because of the risk of burns, North Carolina Cooperative Extension advises against using boiling water as a weedkiller at all, although Iowa State University Extension and Outreach notes that if you use a tea kettle to pour the water, the process can be significantly safer.

Not every situation is right for using boiling water for weed and grass elimination. If the unwanted grasses are growing very close to your flowers or other beautiful plants, the risk of accidentally damaging your plants is likely too high to justify using boiling water. Instead, hand-pulling the grass is likely the best type of weeding to do if you are working very close to your beloved flowers. This is also best if young children (or anyone who might be at high risk of accidentally burning themselves) are assisting you. Generally speaking, boiling water is best for weeds growing between cracks in cement or grasses growing on a stone walkway. 

If you do decide that boiling water is a good grass removal option for your specific flower bed, it's essential to prioritize safety. It's best to review any safety tips for handling hot water. In addition, be sure to use a heat-safe kettle and gloves for heat protection. Very precisely target the unwanted grass without water splashing on yourself or your plants. Plan to repeat the process weekly until you no longer see signs of the pesky grass.