Man vs. weed has been a difficult and long-standing battle common to all homeowners. With the current focus on eco-friendly methods instead of harsh, toxic chemicals, the stakes are even higher.
So how do you defeat stubborn weeds without potential risk to the health of the planet and its occupants? Use these tips from home improvement experts for natural weed-killing methods that are tough on pesky yard growth but gentle on people, pets and plants.
- Boiling Water
What could be safer for the environment than water? Boil a generous amount in a kettle or pot, carry it directly outside and pour on the crown of unwanted growth. Tougher weeds may require one or two additional treatments. Be sure to protect yourself by wearing long pants and close-toed shoes. - Weed Torch
A weed torch is another method to apply the destructive forces of heat. This handy home improvement tool literally boils the water inside plant cells, turning it to steam and causing the cells to explode and die. Just heat the weeds to the point of wilting. Never use a weed torch on poisonous plants, as it can release toxic elements into the air. - Vinegar
The classic jack-of-all-household-tasks is equally effective at destroying weeds. Add a tablespoon of dish soap and two tablespoons of vegetable oil to a spray bottle of vinegar and apply directly. Note that vinegar can also damage healthy plants, so avoid spraying on breezy days. - Lemon Juice
Jolt weeds with a dose of acid by spraying fresh-squeezed or store-bought lemon juice on them. Mix lemon juice with vinegar for a super-charged solution. - Baking Soda
Baking soda is another multi-use household product that’s usually on hand. Keep weeds out of hard-to-reach cracks in driveways and walkways by sprinkling baking soda on the adjacent pavement and sweeping it into the cracks. - Newspaper
Perform environmental double-duty by recycling old newspapers as a weed removal tool. Simply place ten layers of damp newspaper over the soil and cover with mulch. This technique cuts off sunshine and oxygen supplies to essentially smother weeds. If you’ve moved recently, this is a handy use for those cardboard boxes as well. - Shower Curtain
Give new life to an old shower curtain as an alternative to newspaper. Spread the curtain across the appropriate area between the weeds and a layer of mulch. - Corn Gluten
Corn gluten may seem more relevant to cooking than home improvement, but it’s a valuable weapon in the anti-weed arsenal. More accurately, corn gluten serves as an effective weed suppressant as it prevents roots from forming. - Tall Grass
No, this doesn’t mean you’re released from lawn-cutting duties, but adjusting the mower to leave a length of two to three inches can make grass less vulnerable to weeds. - Elbow Grease
The tried-and-true method of manual weed removal is always effective and leaves no toxic residue. A successful weed-pulling session lets you enjoy fresh air and sunshine and relieves stress by letting you take it out on the weeds.
Curb appeal boosts the value of any home. Make sure weed removal is on your list of important home improvement tasks.
