Organic herbicides can be used in organic gardening and also in farming to help killing unwanted weeds.

Most organic herbicides are used to destroy unwanted weeds that have grown between the crops or on the lawn, they affect only the unwanted weeds and not the crop they also don’t affect the soil and are not toxic, normal herbicides are used worldwide in non-organic farms to destroy weeds but they affect the soil and the crop will contain toxins. Another type of herbicides , the most powerful ones, are used to remove all vegetation for good in places like gravels and so on, their impact on the soil is long term and it can take up to 200 years for vegetation to begin growing again and up to 500 years for a crop that is safe to eat.

Most organic herbicides are non-selective, that means they destroy any plant they come in contact with, however they will not leave residues that will prevent another crop to grow next season. They will also not harm the worms and other life forms inside the soil. Many non-organic weed killers will harm these forms of life and therefore weaken the growing power of the land.

In Theory and “organic herbicide” can be any herbicide that has in its formula Carbon, but the name is actually given only to herbicides that have been approved to be used on organic farms. If organic certification is important for you then you should consult the local authorities to find out what you can and what you can not use in order to keep your organic farm certificate. There are many organic herbicides, here are few of the most popular

•    Vinegar
Has been commonly used as a weed killer, it does not affect the roots so it needs more applications and you’ll need to purchase vinegar with a high acid acetic concentration such as 20 percent or higher.
Vinegar or acetic acid is also used in most of the synthetic compound weed killers. Other agents that are used in compound patent herbicides: clove oil, garlic, thyme oil, citric acid and yucca extracts.

•    Burning
Fire is probably the oldest weed killer but because it kills everything including the crop it can only be done at the end of the season to clean the field. It is a good thing that it produces ash that will enrich the soil but it will also burn some of the seeds resulting in a possible smaller crop. The best part about it is that it’s absolutely 100 percent natural.

If you plan on setting your field on fire you should probably check if this is legal where you live. Many countries do not allow open fire in the field because it poses great danger.
Infra-red heat treatment is another way of burning the finished crop which does not involve the dangers of flames. This is permitted in most areas.

•    Mulching

It’s basically covering the unwanted weeds with plastic or other covers to prevent them from getting oxygen and so kill them. All of the ground between the wanted plants is covered with plastic, canvas or other material and any weeds that sprout in the ground beneath it will not be able to grow. Putting straw between strawberry plants is well known example.

If you have a garden or a small farm the absolute best way to keep your garden or crop weed free is to simply pluck the unwanted vegetation . Making your hands the best organic herbicide.