How To Wage A Successful War On Weeds
I don't remember how old I was when I first found out that the bright, sunny dandelions I loved so much were weeds. How could something so cheerful be classified in such a pesky, frustrating group of plants?
But alas, weeds are every gardener's nightmare (well, one of them, anyway.) If you've got a weed situation, you can always head to your nearest lawn and garden store and pick up a bottle of weed killer. But if you're in the market for some other ideas (including eco-friendly alternatives), we've got some ideas for you thanks to some help from Reader's Digest.
Ways To Kill Weeds
1. Baking soda: This is a great tactic to stop weeds from growing in the cracks of your driveway or sidewalk. Sprinkle baking soda on the concrete surface, then sweep into the cracks.
2. Bleach: Like baking soda, this is an ideal solution for weeds that are growing in sidewalk or driveway cracks. Pour a little bit of undiluted bleach on the weeds, then pull them out the next day. The bleach will keep the weeds from growing again.
3. A shower curtain: Planning a landscaping project with gravel or bark chips? Cover the surface with an old shower curtain before mulching--the curtain will keep weeds from growing through the landscaping material.
4. Vodka: Mix up a cocktail for yourself, and then make a batch of DIY weed killer! Reader's Digest says to mix 1 ounch of vodka, a few drops of liquid dish soap and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Apply the solution to weeds. Note: This will not work on weeds that grow in shady areas, only on those that are in direct sunlight.
5. WD-40: It's a DIYer's best friend -- and it's a weed's worst enemy. Spray weeds with a thin coat of WD-40 and they'll be gone in the blink of an eye. This is an ideal solution for prickly weeds like Russian thistle.
We hope these tips help you wage a triumphant battle on your lawn and garden weeds. And if you have any additional weed-killing tips, let us hear them!
Photo: Flickr.com/jefgodesky
