Five Natural DIY Weed Killers for Your Garden
If we took the time to plant a beautiful flower or bountiful vegetable garden in the spring, we start to see the rewards to our work in the summer…but we also might see unsightly weeds encroaching on our hard work. There is no end to the shelves of products available at your local gardening store to fend off these culprits, but maybe you want to try a gentler approach that is kinder to the earth – especially if you have pets or children in your household. Try these more natural, less hazardous methods first, and their results may surprise you.
Vinegar. Pour or spray 5% white vinegar directly onto your weeds. Some weeds will die fairly quickly while others may take up to 14 days. You can reapply in 21 days.
Vinegar, Salt and Soap. Combine and shake together one liter of 5% vinegar and three large spoonfuls of salt in a spray bottle. Once the salt is dissolved add three spoonfuls of liquid dish detergent and shake again. Simply spray your weeds when they are dry and it is sunny but not too hot for the best results.
Salt and Water. Combine two parts salt to one-part water and spray onto weeds. This method has historical significance as well. In the 1800s convicted traitors would have their lands “salted” to keep their harvests from growing, ultimately starving them in the process.
Boiling Water. Not many living things like the touch of boiling water and weeds are no different. This may take several applications, but with some patience and repetition, you can effectively kill small weeds and seedlings with this simple method.
Baking Soda and Borax. Sprinkling either of these powders in an affected area makes the ground inhospitable to weed growth. You can even sweep it into sidewalk and driveway cracks where, surprisingly, weeds love to grow and often flourish!
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