NATURAL WEED Killers

It’s that time of year when the weeds are popping up everywhere, usually faster than the actual flowers that we take such good care of. Here are some natural weed killers that are safe for you to use and won’t harm the earth or environment. Remember though, if they kill weeds they will also kill flowers and plants so use care. When you are buying ingredients for these natural weed killers look for white vinegar in gallon containers and salt in restaurant size boxes etc. Warehouse stores are a great place to buy large containers inexpensively. Check out dollar stores too. The dish washing liquid helps to keep the other ingredients on the plants so it can be any cheap variety you find.

VINEGAR-SALT-DISH SOAP

This one is easy and it really works. According to the USDA using vinegar on Canada thistle, one of the most tenacious and aggressive weeds in the world, killed the thistle. A 20-percent concentration of vinegar will kill Canada thistle in about 2 hours!

In a spray bottle or a watering can combine 1 quart white vinegar, ¼ cup salt and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap. Shake or stir this mixture so that the salt dissolves completely. Spray ONLY on weeds. If you have a lot of weeds you can double, triple etc. this recipe and put in a garden sprayer.

LEMON JUICE and VINEGAR

Mix ½ cup of white vinegar and ½ cup of lemon juice and spray or water weeds with it. The acidic combination kills the weeds.

ALCOHOL-VINEGAR-DISH SOAP

Combine 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 tablespoons of dish soap and 1 quart of water. Spray on the weed and also on the ground surrounding it.

CRABGRASS KILLER

This one is for crabgrass. I remember my dad fighting this in our yard in Michigan. This uses only baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda directly on the crabgrass. Use care with this because it will kill plants, grass, flowers, anything it comes in contact with. It can drift some so don’t sprinkle close to things that you don’t want to die.

Have a question or comment about today’s blog? I’d love to hear from you.