There’s always a constant battle raging between you and those stubborn, unsightly weeds. It started in earnest again this year, like it has every other, in the spring when the sunshine becomes plentiful and the plants and grass come out of dormancy.
Now, you’re out in your yard more than you’d like to be, pulling weeds. Bending over, breaking your back when you could be actually enjoying your outdoor space. It’s all a waste of time and you’re giving serious consideration to pulling up all that’s organically green and replacing every square inch of grass with hardscaping.
Alas, you have furry family members who would most surely object to the taking away of their space to romp and do their business. What’s more, you don’t want to go through the time and expense of doing so but one thing is for sure, you’re tired of fighting the battle because it’s become a costly one. Don’t fret, because you can ditch the chemicals and whip-up a weed killer right in your kitchen.
Organic versus Chemical Control Treatments
One of the biggest reasons for “going green” is help do your part in protecting our collective natural resources, but, for you, it’s a matter of practicality; and, to make your yard a bit safer for little ones and your beloved pets. After all strutting around the grass, which has been treated with fertilizer, pesticide, and of course, weed killer, isn’t necessary the best thing. It puts people and pets’ health in danger as those things are toxic.
…organic gardening and lawn care with cheap homemade herbicides that are easy on the environment. Vinegar, boiling water, salt and other simple ingredients and techniques can tackle any weed problem. The battle lines of summer gardening have been drawn. On one side are dandelions, crab grass, sorrel, clover, dock, nettles, poison ivy and an endless variety of other lawn and garden weeds. On the other side: one determined Green Cheapskate. —MSN Real Estate
That’s really why organic cures are better, because they are natural and for the most part, harmless to humans and pets. For instance, let’s say you have a pool in your yard. It’s a hot summer day and you and the kids take a dip and enjoy snacks. When it comes time to dry off, that’s when the towels are dragged over the grass, over the patio, all of which has been deluged with chemicals; and, that’s the towel being used to wipe off a face–not a good combination and one you want to avoid.
Simple DIY Homemade Weeds Killers to Try in Your Yard
If you’re tired of spending money to combat the weeds which seem to never stop ruining your yard, then try one of these six homemade weed killer recipes:
- Vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is a great way to get rid of weeds in your yard. Just pour it over the unwanted weeds and let the acid in the kitchen pantry staple do all the work. Be sure to target the roots, if you don’t, you’ll only kill of the leaves and that’s not enough. Another thing is to be careful. Put it in a spray bottle and do not dose nearby flowers and plants, because vinegar doesn’t know the difference.
- Table salt, vinegar, and dish soap. If you take it a step further and combine vinegar with table salt and a bit of dish soap, you’ll have a more powerful weapon against weeds. The acid, along with the sodium chloride, will attack the roots, while the soap will cause the mix to stick. Put together 2 cups vinegar, 1/2 cup salt, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap and apply.
- Rubbing alcohol. This is also an easy spray and forget trick that works as it drains the moisture in the unsightly plants and causes them to wither. Spray it on the weeds directly, not the other plants and flowers, and let it dry for a moment. Don’t let pets near this when first applied, give it a few moments to dry.
- Cornmeal. The corn gluten in this common household cooking ingredient acts like a contraceptive and keeps seeds from forming into weeds. Be careful, though, this should only be applied in areas where there are only weeds and not plants and flowers. Once treated, rejuvenate the soil and then you can plant seeds for flowers, plants, and vegetables.
A bonus concoction is a combination of smart strategy and modern science: they’re called ground covers. Because all things that grow from the ground compete for nourishment, a ground cover is a great weapon against weeds because plants and flowers will have a decided edge and thrive.