Natural weed killer are words I never thought I’d enter into a Google search, but it happened. With spring here, everything is greening up and growing, including my nemesis, weeds.
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It’s funny how deciding to buy a farmhouse fixer-upper on a bit of acreage can change your perspective on weeds. I used to look at dandelions with extreme distaste. I wanted the same picture-perfect lawn my neighbors had, with the grass all a beautiful, well-watered carpet of green. But, when we moved to our farmhouse and I decided to take up bee-keeping, dandelions became not just a fixture, but a necessity for the bees. You see, dandelions are often the first flowers bees rely on for their food. They pop up in the grass just when bees need them because, until other flowers bloom, they have no extra food in their hives except for the honey that was left for them. They’re hungry and ready to forage once winter clears out. Now the sight of dandelions makes me smile, especially when I see a pollen-laden bee resting on one!
Not so much when it comes to annoying crabgrass and other types of weeds that grow in our sidewalk crevices, though. This brick walkway by our flower garden is so charming, but this is what it looks like as soon as spring hits. Where there’s a will, weeds will find a way!
Chemical-laden weed killers are not anything I want to use or even be around here at Sunny Side Up. Goodness knows I’ve seen enough lawsuit commercials due to cancer cases.
Natural Weed Killer
After some sleuthing, I found the answer to my weed-killing prayers in this horticultural vinegar. For one, it’s super concentrated. I can use the vinegar at full strength for tough weeds in the spring. Once summer is in full swing and the weeds are more manageable, I can dilute it with water. The bottle has a handy dilution chart on the label.
It’s a wonderful bleach and ammonia alternative. It’s safe for the environment, it’s sewer and septic safe, which is important when you have a well. And it’s made in the USA!
Other Uses For Horticultural Vinegar
Another perk is that I can also use this magical liquid to remove rust from garden tools, clean clay pots, outside furniture, and even to shine stainless steel. Did I mention it also removes mineral and limescale? It’s a workhorse of a product.
A Few Things To Note
As with any very strongly concentrated liquid, you need to keep horticultural vinegar away from your eyes and wear rubber gloves while you’re using it. Also, this is a weed killer meant for tough weeds that aren’t in your actual vegetable garden. It’s best to hand-pull those since this stuff is so strong, it will likely kill your vegetable plants.
I’m thrilled to finally find a week killer that will really work on those tough areas but is still safe and non-toxic. It’s a multi-tasking winner that will also hopefully help me save time in the weed department, too.
Do you have any effective weed-killing secrets? Let me know in the comments!
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