Many people love to garden and work around in their yard landscaping to make their outdoor places look well cared for and beautiful. As most avid gardeners would agree, weeds have a way of undoing all of that hard work in just days at times.
Some lawn care enthusiasts are concerned about using caustic and poisonous weed killers and chemicals, especially if they have young children and pets that play around in the yard.
Read on to learn how to make your own natural home remedy to kill weeds from natural items you likely already have stocked in your pantry!
“If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success." – John D. Rockefeller
An Easy & Safe Weed Killer DIY Recipe
Believe it or not, there are better ways to kill weeds than grabbing the usual chemical laden weed killer products found at your local lawn and garden retailers. There are a few very effective weed killing recipes made from natural ingredients and gentle soap used for dishwashing.
This solution is safe to use around kids, pets and local wildlife that live near your home. In addition, this natural based weed killing solution is better for the environment at the same time.
This strong homemade weed killer recipe ingredients include:
- 1 gallon of white vinegar
- 1 cup ordinary table salt
- 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap
- Spray bottle
Instructions:
- Mix the 1 cup of salt into a gallon of ordinary white vinegar.
- Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
- Pour mixture into the spray bottle and shake well to mix.
These three ingredients should be all you need to combat and/or prevent weed growth in your lawn or garden areas.
How This Homemade Weed Killing Solution Works
The reason why these ingredients mixed together can do a fair job of keeping newly established weeds from overrunning your lawn or garden is how these substances work on the unwanted weeds.
The vinegar contains acetic acid, and the salt/vinegar mixture dries out the plant especially if the solution is applied on a hot and sunny day. Spray the solution on, and watch the leaves or vegetation that makes up the above ground weed growth wither and dry up in a few hours.
The dishwashing liquid acts as a surfactant, and it works to lessen the normal tension of the outer weed layer that is responsible for wet drops simply sliding off leaving the weed to remain unharmed. The soap breaks up that surface plant action, and this allows the solution to get into the underlying layer where the damage will be done.
The nice thing about this solution is that it will not harm people, pets or any wildlife and environmental elements found nearby.
Tips for Keeping Poison Ivy at Bay
This same DIY weed killing home remedy solution may also work on stubborn poison ivy if you’re dealing with smaller and less established weeds, since the vinegar contains the ingredients known to damage it. However, if the poison ivy already has a secure and deep root system underground, the homemade solution may not stop its growth.
Along with the above recommended weed killer recipe, there are other measures that can be used to thwart the growth of poison ivy in your yard. These measures include:
- Wear protective clothing and gloves then pull up poison ivy plants with force, grabbing it near the ground
- Throw hot boiling water over the plant
- Smother the poison ivy plant so that it doesn't get the air it needs for photosynthesis and growth
- Use a combined approach for best end results
Typically, these plants will come up quickly if they are not deeply intertwined and established. Pour the hot boiling water right at the ground where you have pulled out the plants to get at the underground root system and cause damage there.
Plants need carbon dioxide and sunlight to stay healthy and grow. Smother the poison ivy plant with a plastic bag tied tightly around the plant. Another option is to place weighted cardboard over the plants.
Protect Nearby Plants from Splashes of the Natural Weed Killer
It is important to guard nearby plants when using any of these tactics for getting rid of weeds and poison ivy. Otherwise, the plants you want in your yard may wither up and die too. Apply the homemade weed killer remedy during sunny days for best results.
Call a professional landscaper or other lawn/garden expert for help getting rid of extensive weed problems that persist.
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