Getting rid of weeds naturally

[leon]

The effect of weeds is that they rob plants of space and much-needed nutrients. Back in the day, we'd make a carpet out of a newspaper, and this would block oxygen and sunlight from reaching the soil, hence smothering weeds and preventing others from growing! Are there any natural methods that apply to a big farm and that don't release harmful chemicals?

 

[Wildlife]

Some use white or black plastic on roll.

 

[Urban Homestead]

Landscape fabric is probably the easiest method, but it can get pricey if you're covering a large area. I don't use herbicides or anything else like that. I take the newspaper route that you mentioned and I add a layer of cardboard on top. It's inexpensive and it seems to do the trick.

 

[The Back 40]

The suggestions here are good for a yard, price wise, but if you're talking major acreage you may have no other choice than herbicides. Just pick a type that targets the types of weeds you have.

 

[jack]

The suggestions here are good for a yard, price wise, but if you're talking major acreage you may have no other choice than herbicides. Just pick a type that targets the types of weeds you have.

Much as I have mixed vinegar, table salt, and liquid dish detergent to kill weeds, this is not a method that suits a large farm. Would we say that crop rotation is a proven natural form of weed control?