Do the weeds in your yard seem to spread more quickly every year? Do you spend money on weed killers that don’t work as well as they should? I don’t like to use harmful chemicals to kill weeds when various household products will do the trick. They are safe to use, and can be quite effective if used properly. Try these green ideas to get rid of weeds in the yard.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a kitchen staple that I use for much more than cooking. It is a great natural remedy for certain ailments; it is a wonderful household cleaning product; and vinegar is a safe, natural alternative to commercial weed killers. Spray it directly onto weeds, avoiding grass and plants. It works best if it has time to set in; avoid using vinegar as a weed killer if the forecast is predicting rain.
Boiling water
Some people simply use boiling water as a natural weed killer. Carefully pour the hot water directly onto the weeds, taking care not to spill on yourself or the surrounding plant life. It should quickly kill the weeds and seep into the soil, killing the roots. This works best in an area where you don’t have to worry about ruining your grass, as well.
Cornmeal
Sprinkle cornmeal on your soil to prevent weed seeds from germinating. This will attract worms, which can help to loosen up the soil. As a precaution, you should wait to try this natural weed killer until after your plant seeds have sprouted, because cornmeal will potentially kill them, too.
Salt
You can also sprinkle a little bit of salt on weeds to get rid of them, but you should use this solution sparingly, as it can poison the soil. This may be best when restricted to gravel areas, where you don’t have to worry about it killing other plant life in your yard.
Homemade herbicide formula
I like to use various household products to make my own cleaners and natural remedies. Why shouldn’t I make my own, safer weed killers, too? This homemade herbicide formula is an effective way to get rid of weeds in the yard.
Ingredients:
1 gallon distilled white vinegar
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon dish detergent
Instructions:
1. Prepare the vinegar by boiling it in a large pan. Start by slowly turning the temperature higher until it reaches its boiling point. Remove the vinegar from the heat source.
2. Add the salt to the vinegar while it is still hot. Stir until completely dissolved, then add the dish detergent and stir thoroughly. The detergent will help the solution stick to the weeds, allowing it to kill them more effectively.
3. Cool the solution for several hours. Once it has reached room temperature, pour it into a large spray bottle. Label the bottle and store it safely when not in use. It is not toxic to people, but can be irritating if it comes into contact with skin, or is ingested.
4. Spray the mixture directly onto weeds as needed. Apply directly to the leaves; avoid saturating the soil, as this can cause irreversible damage to the grass and plants.
References:
Homemade weed killer recipes and tips
Homemade weed killer recipe
