While there are many wonderful pleasures associated with gardening, controlling weeds isn't one of them. Nothing is more frustrating—and sometimes overwhelming—than spending hours pulling out weeds just to have them reappear a few weeks later.

To combat weed problems, many turn to chemical-based products to kill weeds. But if you'd prefer to take a natural approach and safeguard your family, pets and the environment, the gardening experts at Martha Stewart suggest these solutions for staying ahead of weed propagation:

Make a vinegar spray. Combine one gallon of vinegar with one tablespoon of dish soap and spray the mixture directly onto weeds in your yard. The acetic acid in vinegar acts as a contact herbicide, so use care when spraying, targeting weeds directly, not your plants and flowers.

Boil some water. One of the simplest ways to do away with weeds is to pour boiling water on them. This will instantly kill them, but also any other plant it comes in contact with so this method is best reserved for mulch beds or patio areas.

Try a weed torch. A blowtorch specifically designed to target weeds is another way to instantly do away with them. Once the weeds begin to wilt from the flame you can move onto the next spot. Once again, be careful not to ignite plants and flowers, and also avoid using a weed torch if you're in a dry environment or in the midst of a drought.

Look for organic solutions. If you're buying a commercial product to combat your weeds, look for a natural substance that has iron as the main ingredient, which wilts the weeds by overfeeding them. Other effective pre-made products include those mostly composed of citric acid or citric oil. 

To prevent weeds from growing in the first place, keep your soil in good shape with organic fertilizers and regular aeration, and adjust your mower blade height to keep your grass a bit longer, which chokes out weeds. And remember, getting your hands dirty and pulling young weeds when you have a better chance of removing the entire root system is still one of the most effective ways to go.