Now that Spring has finally arrived, we’ve been eagerly watching all of the bulbs we planted sprout into beautiful blooms… however, sprouting right along with them? Yes, weeds!
Want to control them environmentally and safely without harsh chemicals? Then here are two simple items for your shopping list: distilled white vinegar and a sprayer bottle.
If you’re like me, you may already have a sprayer bottle or have kept one around just waiting to be reused, so your list may contain one, simple item… vinegar, because (just like my kids) weeds hate the taste of vinegar!
All you need to do is fill the bottle with vinegar and spray the nasty culprits! It works best with young weeds and, for those tough hardy buggers, it may take more than one application but I assure you, it works!
However, this also comes with a warning… vinegar is NOT selective. It will kill whatever you spray. You need to be cautious not to let it come in contact with prized flowers or plants, so make sure your bottle has a very controlled sprayer and not a wide range mist. For 
this reason also, vinegar is best for gardens, flower beds, sidewalks, driveways and around paver stones, but isn’t recommended for lawns since it will take your grass right along with the weeds!
Ahh… vinegar! Is there anything it doesn’t do?!? Okay, well yea… there are “things”, but the list of what it DOES do just got longer… and you can now add “weed warrior” to that list!
Disclosure Policy
Will add that you need to thoroughly spray the weeds and preferably do this when the sun is shining. The hotter the sun, the quicker the weeds go to their final resting place, tra la! (At least that’s what I’ve found.
Yes! Very true and the higher the % of acetic acid (harmlessly and organically created in the vinegar) the better. Vinegar works best on young weeds and it is more likely to kill the root system. With some weeds, like dandelions(!) they will likely grow back because their root systems are hardy, so you will need to keep spraying as they regrow… BUT this is a lot better than chemical pesticides and weed killers!
You gotta love this simple, cost-effective solution! Instead of searching for some expensive chemical in a bottle that may leave a trail of unwanted chemicals behind, use this method to keep your driveway, sidewalk, and rock walls weed-free. Making soda is another alternative that can help rid specific areas of undesired plants.
Check out this article for more helpful information: http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/lawn-weeds.html
.-= Melissa King´s last blog ..International Education: Increasing Your Child’s Global Awareness =-.
edit for the previous comment: it should say “Baking soda” (not making soda)
.-= Melissa King´s last blog ..International Education: Increasing Your Child’s Global Awareness =-.
Melissa King – how do you use the baking soda???
For the baking soda, just drop some of the powder onto the unwanted weeds. Try to get near the enter of the plant, near the main stem. If it’s easier, you can mix the soda into a small amount of water. Good luck!
.-= Melissa King´s last blog ..International Education: Increasing Your Child’s Global Awareness =-.
Melissa – Great! Thanks for another environmental “formula”!
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