10 Ways to Get Rid of Weeds, According to Experts

When it comes to gardening, there is one thing that you'll come across at some point: weeds. These are plants that grow in areas where they are not wanted, and they thrive on lawn and garden stress. Many gardeners want to get rid of weeds not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for the health and longevity of the other plants. Weeds compete with "wanted" plants for vital resources such as nutrients, water and sunlight, so getting rid of them helps the plants and flowers you do want in the garden grow better.

"Ideally, you should weed your garden regularly throughout the year, no matter what time of day or the season," says Lucie Bradley, an expert gardener at Easy Garden Irrigation. "Even spending just 15 minutes each day removing weeds will help to prevent them from rooting deeply so they are easier to remove, and with consistent weeding, you can stop them from spreading seeds for more weeds after they flower."

Ahead, we spoke with gardening experts about ways to get rid of weeds. This list includes everything from pulling them by hand to using a weed puller. We've even included some preventative strategies to help you get rid of weeds before they even come to the surface.

1. Put Down Mulch

One of the easiest ways to control weeds and often recommended as a first line of defense if you're worried about it becoming even more of a problem in the future. "Apply two to three inches of organic mulch like shredded bark or leaf compost to smother weed seeds and prevent new ones from germinating," says Anna Ohler, gardener and owner of Bright Lane Gardens.

2. Use A Weeding Tool

You might have a family heirloom weed-removing tool that has been passed down generations, and that's for a reason-they work. Angie Kristoff, community garden leader and founder of Angie's Recipe Garden, recommends one known as "grandpa's weeder." "This no-bending-over-needed tool lets you easily grab hard-to-pull weeds and gets the entire root," she tells Dengarden. "It's great for walkways and grassy areas too."

3. Use Pre-Emergent Weed Control

One of the most effective ways to get rid of weeds is to prevent them in the first place. Pre-emergent treatments should be your best friend, especially before you start gardening. "Apply pre-emergent treatments in the spring as a proactive solution to prevent annual weeds before they take root," says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.

"Since summer weeds like crabgrass, foxtail and goosegrass usually start germinating once soil temperatures reach about 55°F for several days in a row, timing your application just before then gives you the best results.

4. Use Apple Cider Vinegar

You might be used to drinking apple cider vinegar in the morning in a wellness shot, but it can and should be used in your garden. According to Bradley, apple cider vinegar is best used when getting rid of weeds growing between paving slabs, on paths or patios, where you can treat weeds in isolation and not kill the plant you want to keep.

"When the acid comes into contact with the weeds surface, it ruptures the plant cells causing the moisture to leak out, and they die," she explains. "You can use apple cider vinegar by itself, diluted with water or as part of a DIY weed killer solution made by mixing it with salt and liquid dish soap.

5. Pour Boiling Water

Gardens are typically watered using cool water, but if you're looking to get rid of weeds, then boiling water will be your best friend.

"Boiling water kills weeds almost instantly by damaging the weeds' cellular structures, whic results in dehydration and causes them to wither and then die completely within a few hours," Bradley says. "It's best used on isolated weeds in paths, drives and patios as it's not selective and will damage any plants that it comes in contact with."

With this method, be careful not to burn yourself or splash any water on your skin as it can be dangerous.

6. Use Saltwater

Don't want to risk burning yourself with boiling water? You can try saltwater instead to help get rid of weeds. Saltwater kills weeds by drawing water out of the plant cells, causing them to become dehydrated and eventually die.

According to Bradley, a solution of one part salt and three parts water will kill most weeds growing through driveways and paths, including small weeds. That said, Bradley would never recommend using saltwater in flowerbeds as high concentrations of salt can sterilize the soil.

7. Plant Close Together

Whether you have a small garden or a larger plot of land, you'll want to try to plant your plants close together to help prevent weeds. "Filling space with closely spaced plants reduces exposed soil and naturally crowds out weeds over time," says Ohler. This is an easier route if you don't want to change much else in your gardening routine.

8. Pull Them By Hand

You can't go wrong with the tried-and-true method of removing weeds by hand. Ohler says this is easiest to do after a rainy day when the soil is moist, "This can help you pull the full root system and reduce the chance they grow back." It is worth noting that if you don't pull the full root, you might notice them pop up again down the line.

9. Put Down Baking Soda

Similar to apple cider vinegar, baking soda can be used to kill weeds and help get rid of them. "Baking soda makes an effective weed killer since it contains high levels of salt which draws moisture from plants, causing them to dehydrate and die," says Bradley. "Simply pouring dry baking soda onto weeds will kill them, or you can make a spray using two tablespoons of baking soda with one liter of water."

If you decide to use this method, then you'll want to make sure it's separate from the plants you want to keep because it will also kill them.

10. Add A Ground Cover

Another way to get rid of weeds is to add a ground cover to the area. "For bigger areas or site prep, fast-growing cover crops like oats or buckwheat can out-compete weeds, protect soil and improve structure before planting your final landscape," says Kristoff.

It's important to keep in mind that ground covers don't kill established weeds, but they can block sunlight from reaching the soil and stop weed seeds from germinating in the future, according to Bradley.

Related: Why People Are Replacing Lawns With Clover (and Loving It)

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 7:00 AM.