Last year I put three name brand weed killers against each other. I was tired of forgetting which weed killer did a good job and ending up with half bottles of multiple different kinds. For the record, Spectracide did the best job on the weeds for us. However, someone commented that as a dad I should use more natural methods to control weeds.
This year, just in time for Earth Day we’re going to tackle our weeds naturally. One is white vinegar (with just a dash of dish soap) and the other is boiling hot water.
Boiling Hot Water
This is what the area normally looks like.
This is the area 24 hours after we poured boiling hot water on it.
It kills the weeds quickly, but the dangers of carrying a kettle full of hot water, in addition to the energy needed to do this would not make Captain Planet happy. Factor in the cost, energy and time needed to kill weeds and doing an area of any size just isn’t feasible.
White Vinegar
Last year we started cleaning most things inside the house with white vinegar. Add a little dish soap to it, pour it in a spray bottle and it’s supposed to kill weeds. Most of the organic boards I visited said that white vinegar really works, but takes a couple applications. However, factor in that a gallon of white vinegar costs less than two dollars and if it works, this method is worthwhile.
This is what the area normally looks like
24 hours after it was sprayed most of the green in the weeds is gone and the area is brittle to touch. One downside to using white vinegar to control weeds is that it kills on contact. Be very careful about spraying anything near an area that you don’t want to kill.
This year we’re not buying a chemical to control the weeds and it’s unknown if white vinegar will effectively kill them. The test area will be checked again in a couple days and we’ll report back just in time for Earth Day.
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let me know how it goes (with the vinegar). we’re no longer allowed to use chemical weed killers (banned in my city / province) and i swear, all the weeds in my entire neighbourhood is setting up camp on my front lawn and backyard. my husband is constantly out there and it’s a losing battle. we’ve tried all those “natural” weed killers but i secretly think it’s weed food because more weeds grow.
Hey Kathy, will do. I think that the white vinegar will badly ‘hurt’ the weeds the first time, but will kill them after two applications. We’ll check it after one week and let you know.
Just a little #UBP12 fly by from McKinney Mommas! We have a lawn to care for for the first time, so THANKS for the tips!!! Come visit, and follow us on Google + when you have the chance!
http://mckinneymommas.blogspot.com/
Now find me something that can clear an acre of 10′ tall blackberries, and we’re in business!
I’d try vinegar at the root. Because it’s a total kill, it should kill it in a couple applications.
If you add salt to your mixture of vinegar and soap it will kill weeds in a matter of minutes. That’s what I do! It won’t hurt anyone either.
Here is another option for organic weed killing – the Garden Hotshot. Please give it a look and tell me what you think. http://www.gardenhotshot.com