People who garden organically do not use commercial weed killers, unless the product has been manufactured especially for organic gardeners and contains no dangerous toxins. But instead of searching for expensive weed killers why not try these two cheap readily available methods to kill weeds organically? I am speaking of using vinegar or boiling water.
Boiling Water
This is particularly good for disposing of weeds in cracks in a path or between pavers. It 'cooks' the weeds and they die instantly. You can then remove the remains or leave them to dry and crumble, sweeping them away later if you so desire.
Using this method is so easy:
• All you do is boil a kettle of water and pour the boiling water over the weeds. Hold the container close to the weeds so that a minimum of cooling takes place. There, it's done.
I should mention here that boiling water may not kill tough perennial weeds with long tap roots, such as dandelions, because the water cools as it drains downwards.
If you want to use this method on dandelions, docks or similar, remove as much of the top and root as you can and then pour the boiling water into the hole so that it comes in contact with what's left of the root. This still probably won't work the first time on an old grandaddy root.
Vinegar
All vinegar contains acetic acid, which is the ingredient that can kill plant life. You can use household vinegar bought from the supermarket but this contains only 5% acetic acid. If you can find a stronger concentration elsewhere it will work better. However the household vinegar is still worth trying and it does work, though you may need to reapply it a week or so later.
• What to do: For just a few weeds pour about 100 ml (around 4 oz) of vinegar into a jug or bottle (guessing is fine). Add a small squirt of dish washing solution and stir or shake gently. Avoid making it frothy. The detergent or soap helps the vinegar stick to the leaves. Pour, squirt or spray this over the weeds. Increase the quantity of vinegar if you have a larger patch of weeds to treat.
Notes
1. The application is best done on a sunny day or at least one when no rain is expected. Why? The vinegar works better on leaves that have lost more moisture on a sunny day, and if rain falls it will wash off too much of the vinegar before it can do its work.
2. Be careful not to get vinegar on useful plants or lawn grass as it will kill those too.
3. Some weeds may be weakened and not killed by the vinegar and will need further application(s).
4. Early autumn is the best time to use this weed killer on dandelions and other perennials. Repeated applications may still be needed however.
5. Some people add table salt to the vinegar (about 1 teaspoon for the 100 ml I suggested). This is said to increase the killing power and is safe to use around paths and other hard areas. However, don't use it in lawns or your garden because salt can be harmful to the garden.
Both these methods will work, are nontoxic and are generally safe to use. However, keep in mind that substances that kill weeds will kill desirable plants as well.
Killing weeds, sowing seeds... would you like more information on easy ways to grow vegetables and save yourself work in the garden? At http://abundantgarden.net you'll find helpful ideas, a chance to comment or ask questions and, if you wish, you can sign up for emails (we won't flood your mailbox) to keep you up to date with what's new at the site. Do come and join us.
Article provided by Margret E
Boiling Water
This is particularly good for disposing of weeds in cracks in a path or between pavers. It 'cooks' the weeds and they die instantly. You can then remove the remains or leave them to dry and crumble, sweeping them away later if you so desire.
Using this method is so easy:
• All you do is boil a kettle of water and pour the boiling water over the weeds. Hold the container close to the weeds so that a minimum of cooling takes place. There, it's done.
I should mention here that boiling water may not kill tough perennial weeds with long tap roots, such as dandelions, because the water cools as it drains downwards.
If you want to use this method on dandelions, docks or similar, remove as much of the top and root as you can and then pour the boiling water into the hole so that it comes in contact with what's left of the root. This still probably won't work the first time on an old grandaddy root.
Vinegar
All vinegar contains acetic acid, which is the ingredient that can kill plant life. You can use household vinegar bought from the supermarket but this contains only 5% acetic acid. If you can find a stronger concentration elsewhere it will work better. However the household vinegar is still worth trying and it does work, though you may need to reapply it a week or so later.
• What to do: For just a few weeds pour about 100 ml (around 4 oz) of vinegar into a jug or bottle (guessing is fine). Add a small squirt of dish washing solution and stir or shake gently. Avoid making it frothy. The detergent or soap helps the vinegar stick to the leaves. Pour, squirt or spray this over the weeds. Increase the quantity of vinegar if you have a larger patch of weeds to treat.
Notes
1. The application is best done on a sunny day or at least one when no rain is expected. Why? The vinegar works better on leaves that have lost more moisture on a sunny day, and if rain falls it will wash off too much of the vinegar before it can do its work.
2. Be careful not to get vinegar on useful plants or lawn grass as it will kill those too.
3. Some weeds may be weakened and not killed by the vinegar and will need further application(s).
4. Early autumn is the best time to use this weed killer on dandelions and other perennials. Repeated applications may still be needed however.
5. Some people add table salt to the vinegar (about 1 teaspoon for the 100 ml I suggested). This is said to increase the killing power and is safe to use around paths and other hard areas. However, don't use it in lawns or your garden because salt can be harmful to the garden.
Both these methods will work, are nontoxic and are generally safe to use. However, keep in mind that substances that kill weeds will kill desirable plants as well.
Killing weeds, sowing seeds... would you like more information on easy ways to grow vegetables and save yourself work in the garden? At http://abundantgarden.net you'll find helpful ideas, a chance to comment or ask questions and, if you wish, you can sign up for emails (we won't flood your mailbox) to keep you up to date with what's new at the site. Do come and join us.
Article provided by Margret E