Creating a homemade weed killer made with natural ingredients is a safe and sure way to get rid of weeds without investing in commercial herbicides. The recipe listed below will allow you to control unwelcome growth without risk to your environment or your own health.
Combine 1 gallon of white vinegar with 1 cup of table salt in a bucket and stir until mixed. The vinegar’s acetic acid concentration of about 5 percent is a natural desiccant, meaning that when sprayed on the surface of a plant it will draw moisture out of the leaves, killing it. Be aware that lower concentrations of mixture take longer to work but still do the job.
To help the vinegar and salt solution stick to the weeds, add 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. This surfactant creates an even covering and also helps the weeds to absorb the mixture. Pour into a plastic spray bottle and you are ready to go.
When using this homemade weed killer, keep in mind that it is nonselective and will kill any plant it is applied to. It is important to be careful where you spray the solution and take caution not to reach other desirable neighboring plants. Leftover solution should be funneled into an empty plastic container, capped tightly and labeled.
For a completely non-toxic method of eradication, manual weed pulling is still your best bet. By pulling out the weed when young, you are more likely to get rid of the entire plant. This practice also helps to build healthier soil.
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon of 5-percent household white vinegar
- 1 cup of table salt
- 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap
FAQs
Q: Is the homemade weed killer effective?
A: Yes, it is effective in getting rid of weeds. When applied on a dry, sunny day with a thorough spray coating, plants sprayed with this solution will die within a week.
Q: Can it be applied to the weeds in the grass?
A: No, it will kill grass too. It is best applied to the weeds in the rocks.
Q: Is this method better than commercial herbicides?
A: It depends on the purpose. Homemade weed killers are topical, meaning that it will kill any plant it is applied to, whereas commercial herbicides are systemic and will spread throughout the entire plant and into the roots. Additionally, commercial herbicides have been shown to have long term negative consequences on honeybee colonies, whereas natural ingredients do not.
Q: Can it damage the soil?
A: Natural ingredients used in this mixture only have a negative impact on the soil for a brief period of time. The just simple thing that you have to take into consideration is to avoid spilling the mixture directly into the ground.