Finally, a leading manufacturer has put together a group of effective, natural products and labelled them as such.  Up until now, there's plenty of organic plant food available, but when it comes to insecticides, ant killers and weedkillers you've often got to check the small print to find out that it's natural.

So far the Natria range consists of 6 new products:

• Natria Super Fast Weedkiller
• Natria Slug & Snail Control
• Natria Bug Control
• Natria All Purpose Plant Food
• Natria Compost Activator
• Natria Ant & Insect Control

There's three products I just want to 'rave' about, as they're particularly effective, and I much prefer them to their chemical equivalents.

Natria Slug & Snail Control contains ferric phosphate.  Okay, sounds like a chemical but then of course so is water (hygrogen+oxygen).  Ferric phosphate is a compound that occurs in nature.

So what makes it so special?  Well, it's the way it works.  Firstly, it's only effective against slugs, snails and molluscs - so there's no danger of it building up and harming birds, hedgehogs or other animals that feed on slugs.  It also means you don't have to worry about your cats and dogs.  Secondly, and quite impressively is the way it effects the slugs and snails.  Unlike traditional slug pellets, these pellets cause the slug to crawl deep into the soil to die.  So no more dead slugs to collect and dispose of.

Did I mention these pellets also biodegrade?  Ferric phosphate degrades into iron and phosphate nutrients which actually benefit the soil and plants.

Natria Super Fast Weedkiller pretty much one of the fastest weedkillers around.  The ingredient in this one is derived from chrysanthemums and effect the green tissue of the weed (leaves, stalks etc).  You can see results within an hour too - ideal if you've got a barbecue planned in the afternoon but haven't the time to pull all the weeds up before the guests arrive.

It also kills moss, which not all weedkillers will do.  As its effect is on the green tissue, it unfortunately doesn't go down to the root so some deep tapping weeds could grow back.

Natria Ant & Insect Control contains an ingredient made from starch and effects the exoskeleton of ants, earwigs, fleas, mites and other crawling insects.  The powder sticks to the ant which means it will be taken back to the nest and brushed against other ants making it an incredibly effective defence.

As it's such a natural product, it's perfectly safe to use in the home as well as out doors.  It's also one of the few ant killers you can use on your lawn.

Plant Me Now are excited to be a stockist for the Natria range you'll find it on our online shelves in early 2011

The Legal Bit

• Natria Super Fast Weedkiller contains natural fatty acids
• Natria Slug & Snail Control contains ferric phosphate
• Natria Bug Control contains natural fatty acids

Always read the label, use safely.

Time to search round the shed for the garden tools and get digging! Before you do, have a good think about the number of back injuries caused and previous back injuries aggravated by a session of weeding. Gardening and the garden need to be treated as a 'Green Gym' and nobody would suggest that you spend a two hour session in the gym without a warm up and a cool down. Spend just 15 or 20 minutes on each activity so you don't strain any particular part of your body. Warm up first and stretch after, then treat yourself to a relaxing bath to help ease the aches and pains.

Using the correct tools for the correct gardening job is always a good idea to prevent injuries, the correct tools also help to make the tasks easier and therefore leave you with more time to sit back in the garden chair and admire your efforts. Check your garden spades and forks over before you start, examine the handles for splinters and splits which may injure your hands and always remember that a good pair of gardening gloves is essential for the prevention of blisters. A good quality range of lightweight garden tools are now available on the market which make gardening easier in compact areas and are ideal for use by ladies, long handled garden tools limit the need for bending and twisting, therefore easing the strain on your back muscles and also easing the pressure on the knees.

Certain weeds can be particularly hard to remove from the soil. Weeds such as dandelions need to be lifted complete with all of their root system and this can prove difficult if they have become well established. The use of a preparatory weed killer can help to ease the task. Using weed killers can be relatively easy but always remember to read the instructions for use carefully. There are different preparations on the market to deal with different weeds, from the common dandelion through to couch grass and even for help in removing tree stumps.

Systemic weed killers will kill the weeds and their roots and are ideal for clearing these unwanted visitors. One point to consider when using weed killers is their effect on children and pets, never apply with children or pets nearby, always use a weed killer which allows children and pets to access the treated areas once the preparation has dried and always store unused weed killer safely out of harm's way and with clear labeling.

Drives and gravel paths can be cleared of weeds using a specialist path weed killer. These can be safely used around your ornamental trees and shrubs and have the added bonus of a long lasting formula which prevents new weeds growing back for at least 4 months. The use of these weed killers will ease the strain on your back and if you order from an online garden centre then you won't even have to carry them home; delivery will be direct to your door, which will definitely help when it comes to ordering your new garden tools too!

Above all enjoy the gardening experience and stay safe.

Tackling problem garden weeds has however become much easier thanks to the development of chemical based weed killer. As one of the most used herbicides domestic weed killer is now a key piece of gardening equipment in any gardener's toolbox.

Over the years, leading manufacturers such as Weedol and Roundup have released numerous varieties of weed killer on to the market, each designed for different tasks. Some are for lighter jobs whilst others are far more potent and should only be used for heavy duty weed removal.

With so many weed killers available it can get confusing as to which one best suits your requirements. Some weed killers come with ready made spray appliances, some are gels or creams whilst other require you to mix the chemicals from concentrate which necessitates the need for you to have the correct gardening equipment to do this job.

Types of Weed Killer

Weed killers based on chemicals usually work in a number of ways;

Contact Killers

This type of weed killer works when applied directly to the unwanted weed.Best suited for use on weeds that are situated amongst densely populated garden plants, contact weed killers need to be painted or applied to the foliage of the weed itself making them targeted and specific.

Systematic Weed Killer

Typically applied through a spray, systematic weed killers work from the inside of the weed out by attacking the plants roots first and spreading throughout the rest of the weed. Although systematic varieties often take longer to work they are more suitable for use on perennial or deep rooted weeds.

Most systematic weed killers, including those based on glyphosate will require a spray application so some gardening equipment may be required. Some will come with ready-made spray devicesthat make the process easier due to you not having to handle the chemical but for use on larger areas choosing a concentratewould probably be more beneficial.

Weed Prevention

These varieties are for use on the ground and target the dormant weed seeds that lie below the soil. By preventing the seeds from germinating this type of weed killer is ideal for use on areas where annual weeds are a problem due to the volume of seeds likely to be present.

When to Apply Weed Killer

Getting the timing right when applying weed killer is important not only for safety reasons (more details of which can be seen below) but also because the weather can play a part in how effective the herbicide will be. Overcast days, for instance, are an excellent day to apply spray weed killers as on rainy days the herbicides will be washed away and on sunny days, they will be evaporated before they have had the chance to work.

In other instances the time of year should also be considered as where the weed is in its growth cycle will determine how effective the weed killer is. The best time to apply a systematic wed killer, for example, is in the spring time when the plant has already begun to grow and the plants transport system is active enabling the chemical to be transported around the plant more efficiently.

Always Read the Label

When it comes to using weed killer it is essential that you always read the directions on the packet as each brand and type will be different requiring different applications.

The manufacturers of the product will have spent a great deal of time working out the correct measures of each particular weed killer so by disregarding the instructions, all you will do is end up using more of the substance than is necessary and the likelihood is that it will not destroy your weed problem any quicker anyway.

Importantly, the directions on the weed killer will also provide information as to when it will be safe to re-plant on the treated area. This is particularly important when clearing large areas within which you wish to grow vegetables or other edible plants. Weed killers containing glyphosate will more than likely advise that the area is ready for replanting as soon as the weeds are dead, but it must be remembered that this it not the case for all herbicides so it is always best to check the label.

Safety Issues

Although most herbicides sold for use in domestic gardens are relatively safe to use there are still a number of safety precautions you should adhere to when using any garden chemicals. Not only should you always read the instructions, store things correctly and use the right quantities but you should also consider wearing the right clothing, weather conditions and disposal of the product in question.

It should never be forgotten that weed killer is a potentially harmful piece of gardening equipment thanks to the many chemicals and toxins it will contain. For this reason, application of weed killer should be taken seriously in order to ensure that no harm comes to you or other desired garden plants during the treatment. You should always wear protective clothing such as gloves when handling any dangerous substances.

When it comes to using weed killers that require a spray application you may want to wait for a day when the weather conditions are suitable. Windy days, for example, are not a good idea as the wind is likely to carry the substance particles onto garden plants you do not wish to kill or even backwards towards you where you will run the risk of inhaling the chemicals or risk skin exposure.

Another thing to consider when using spray applicators is the condition of your garden equipment such as the nozzles and hoses used to apply the weed killer. Should this equipment spring a leak other areas of your garden may be left exposed. On a similar note, washing your equipment thoroughly after spraying will ensure that no residue will be left to cause any harm.

It is probably also wise to ensure that children and animals are kept inside whilst applying weed killer although most are perfectly safe an hour or two after application. It is also advisable to dispose of any containers that have come into contact with a toxic substance correctly with any leftover weed killer being applied to the area where you used it as it is illegal to throw it down to drain.

Keep Other Garden Plants Safe

When using a herbicide it is necessary to not only consider your own personal safety but the safety of the surrounding garden plants. Whilst using a spray to apply the substance is much quicker than contact application the likelihood is that you are running the risk of treating plants you wish to keep.

One way to combat this is to set your spray nozzle to a narrow jet setting as this will allow you to target a specific weed. Changing the setting to a mist will allow you to treat a much larger area where harming surrounding foliage is not an issue. Another way to avoid this happening is to protect desired plants with a cardboard box or cover whilst spraying.

Another thing to consider is what to do when spraying weeds near vegetables and other edible plants. In this instance you will need to pay special attention to any instructions regarding the time between treatment and harvesting to avoid any nasty cases of poisoning when the crop is eaten.

Be Patient

After using weed killer, all you need to do it sit back and be patient. Although many herbicides can take a few weeks if not months to fully eradicate the weeds completely, there are several products on the market that can provide quicker results and some can take effect in as little as three hours. It is important to remember that in the event of re-growth becoming apparent then you may have to re-apply the product.

If left, the remnants of felled trees can cause problems for gardeners as their roots continue to extend across planting and cultivated areas, not to mention the risk of diseases such as Honey Fungus, that thrive on rotting tree stumps.

Many people hire tree surgeons to fell unwanted trees but many neglect to plan for the removal of the tree stump after felling. Whilst many tree surgeons will remove stumps for you if asked, there are other somewhat cheaper options.

Machinery such as Stump Grinders and mini-excavators can be hired and utilised but this potentially dangerous garden equipment requires experienced handling and is therefore not always an option, unlike the Deep Root Stump and Weed Killer available from Plant Me Now.

When physically removing an unwanted tree stump or other perennial deep-rooted weeds is not a viable option powerful weed killers based on chemicals are sometimes the only option and providing you follow all the instructions will cause minimal damages to the surrounding environment.

Deep Root is a powerful tree stump and weed killer that can be used on trees stumps, roots and other deep rooted garden weeds such as brambles, nettles and dandelions. Containing the active ingredient glyphosate, Deep Root works systematically killing problem weeds and stumps both above and below the ground.

Tim Milward for the garden supplies specialists commented;

Deep Root like other weed killers containing glyphosate works systematically and is carried through the plants system by the plant sap, providing visible results within two to three weeks. The product will kill most living plant tissue and roots making it a great choice for anyone looking for a complete weed kill solution.

Plant Me Now currently has a number of glyphosate weed killers available in addition to Deep Root Stump and Weed Killer which is available in 200ml and 400ml packages. They can also offer help and advice about "How to Use Weed Killer" in their comprehensive Weed Killer Guide available at www.plantmenow.co.uk