ARE THE WEEDS GETTING THE BEST OF YOU?

Would you prefer something safer for your family and pets than Roundup and other herbicides … something safe even if shoes and paws track it inside … and something that doesn’t negatively impact the environment … our groundwater and the salt marsh. Why not try these “vinegar” recipes that have been around for years?
When looking for a natural alternative to herbicides, a cocktail of vinegar, salt and liquid dish soap has all of the ingredients needed to quickly kill weeds. Acetic acid in the vinegar and the salt are both very good at drawing moisture from weeds. Dish soap acts as a surfactant, which is an agent that will reduce the surface tension that can cause the weed-killing concoction to bead on the leaves instead of being absorbed by the plant. On a warm, sunny day, the results of this homemade spray will be obvious in a matter of hours as weeds turn brown and wither.

Here's one of the most basic recipes for a natural weed killer … but there are many variations on the Internet. (Here’s just one link … https://www.thegardenglove.com/how-to-make-safe-homemade-weed-killer/) I even remember my grandmother taking a tea kettle of boiling water and pouring it on the weeds growing in between the bricks of her walkway to kill them.

NATURAL WEED KILLER
· 1 gallon white vinegar (from the grocery store)*
· 1 cup of salt** (Epson salt or table salt)
· 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

Combine the ingredients … easiest way is to pour some vinegar out of the gallon container so there is room to add your salt and dish soap. Once thoroughly mixed, pour it into a spray bottle (or even a watering can) and treat weeds at the sunniest time of the day for best results (and when there is no rain in the forecast).
This weed killer (as well as many others) is indiscriminate so be careful not to spray it on or near any plants you want to keep. Also note that adding a lot of salt to your soil could prevent plants from growing there in the future.

*Household vinegar from the grocery store is about a 5% concentration. Cleaning and industrial strength vinegar (30%) is now sold at many home improvement stores. Be sure to dilute before using it.

​**This recipe will also work without the salt if you’re concerned about planting in this location at later date.
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