Guest Author - Sue Walsh

Weeds are every gardener’s worst enemy. No one likes having to pull weeds, or use noxious chemicals or loud weed whackers. Here are some natural ways to fight weeds:

Water: Plain old boiled water is all you need to kill weeds growing in the cracks of your cement or flagstone walkways. The water will kill the existing plants and any seeds!

Salt: To kill Stubborn Poison ivy, mix 3lbs of salt with a gallon of soapy water and spray on the plants. To kill other weeds, mix equal parts of vinegar and salt together, put in a spray bottle and spray on weeds. Avoid using on cement or near flowers.

Gin: Yes, the stuff you drink! Add an ounce of gin, an ounce of vinegar and a tablespoon of baby shampoo to a quart of water and spray on weeds.

Rubbing Alcohol: Add 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to a quart of water and spray. For stubborn weeds add another 2 tablespoons.

Vinegar: Plain vinegar makes a great weed killer! Spray directly on dandelions, bermuda grass, thistle, foxtail and crabgrass.

Baking Soda: This is another effective tool to fight crabgrass. Sprinkle directly on but don’t get it on the grass you want to keep!

Coca-Cola: Yes, really! Let it go flat and pour directly on weeds-be careful though as the sweet soda may attract bees and hornets. Avoid using around patios, swingsets and other social areas.

Orange Oil: Mix 1 cup with 1 teaspoon of dish liquid and add to one gallon of vinegar. Spray as needed.

While we’re on the topic of homemade weed killers, let me make something very clear:

Never EVER use gasoline, kerosene, or motor oil as a weed killer. These toxic substances soak into the ground where they will stay for years and possibly even contaminate local drinking water supplies. It only takes a gallon to contaminate a MILLION gallons of water.

Accidently sprayed one of your favorite plants with a weed killer? Don’t panic. Grab the hose and rinse it down thoroughly. Do this as quickly as you can. You may end up with some leaf damage, but the plant will survive.

Before you decide to use any of these recipes, and especially if you plan to use a chemical solution, please check your local weather! Never spray weed killers on windy days, for obvious reasons, and also avoid spraying if rain is forecast (it’d be a waste of time) or if extreme heat is expected. Got more tips or just have a question? Stop by the forum and talk to us!