7 Easy Homemade Weed Killer Solutions
Gardening is a wonderful activity. Planting a seed in the soil and watching it grow into a mature plant is a special experience. It feels like being part of the creation process.
However, there are times when what sprouts isn’t what we planted. Weeds often sneak in, bringing along their friends like an unwelcome plant party. Spending hours chasing down weeds isn’t practical, especially when time is limited.
That’s where weed killer sprays come in handy. Yet, with one in three households engaging in gardening, it’s crucial to be mindful of the products we use. Our choices today impact the world for the next generation, and it’s essential to consider the effects of our decisions on the environment.
WHAT WE WANT FROM HOMEMADE WEED KILLING SOLUTIONS
A weed killer isn’t a weed killer unless it kills weeds. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? So—
IT HAS TO WORK
But it should leave our world healthy. No damage to the soil, air or water. No risk to pets or people. No killing insects. So—
IT HAS TO BE SAFE
Most of us aren’t millionaires, so our homemade weed killing solution has to be made of inexpensive materials. So—
IT HAS TO BE CHEAP
Well, here you go! Weed killers that—
Don’t cost much—in fact, you probably have what you need on your shelves right now!
Are natural and Safe
Really work
GREAT HOMEMADE WEED KILLING SOLUTIONS
1.Vinegar—Utilize a common kitchen and cleaning staple by filling a spray bottle with vinegar. Simply spritz the weeds, and observe their demise. This method is particularly effective on sunny days.
2.Essential Oils—Combat weeds while enhancing your outdoor aroma. Opt for essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, or red thyme for the best results.
3.Borax-–Create a potent solution by combining 1/2 cup of borax with a 1/2 gallon of water, then transfer it to a spray bottle. This mixture not only eliminates weeds but also proves effective against ants and cockroaches.
4.Vinegar and Dawn—Blend 1/2 gallon of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish detergent. Mix thoroughly and apply the solution to weeds. Exposure to sunlight significantly enhances its efficacy.
5.Salt—Dissolve salt in water (approximately 1 cup of salt per gallon) and spray the mixture directly onto weeds. Be cautious with this method as excessive salt can harm surrounding plants, so use it sparingly.
6.Corn Gluten Meal—Sprinkle corn gluten meal around the base of plants to act as a natural pre-emergent herbicide. It helps prevent weed seeds from germinating. This method is particularly useful for weed prevention rather than elimination.
7.Boiling Water—Boil water and carefully pour it over the targeted weeds. This scalding water effectively kills the weeds by destroying their cell structure. Exercise caution when using boiling water to avoid splashing.
By using these easy homemade weed control methods in your gardening routine, you not only deal with weed problems but also help make gardening more eco-friendly and sustainable.
KILLING WEEDS IN SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS
Maintaining a weed-free environment in pathways is crucial. While we encourage plant growth in gardens, dealing with unwelcome plants emerging from sidewalk cracks is a different story. The following weed control methods are specifically designed to inhibit plant growth in these hard surfaces.
1. White Vinegar, Dawn, Epsom Salts—Combine 1/2 gallon of vinegar, 1 cup of Epsom salts, and 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish detergent.
Heat vinegar and salts until dissolved, let it cool, then transfer the solution to a spray bottle. Add Dawn, mix thoroughly, and spray on weeds.
2.Cornmeal-–Surprisingly effective, simply sprinkle cornmeal on weeds that emerge in driveways or sidewalks.
3.Newspaper—Lay newspaper over the weeds to block the sunlight they need for growth.
4.Bleach—Directly spray bleach on the weed to prevent further growth.
5.Boiling Water—For a simple approach, pour boiling water onto the weed to effectively eliminate it.