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The Secret Ingredient for a Natural Weed Killer

2 · Jul 27, 2021 · Lindsey Johnson · 6 Comments

Having a yard to take care of feels like a bit of a luxury after years of apartment living. I haven’t always loved yard work (at least not as a child), but I sure do now. I find it relaxing to be outside grooming the plants and keeping things looking tidy.

I do not, however, like weeds—and I’m not alone in that sentiment! But I also don’t like using a bunch of harmful, toxic chemicals to get rid of them so here’s a super simple natural weed killer that’s safe to use near pets and children.

It’s a modern day catch-22. Here’s how I make my own natural weed killer using a few secret ingredients that actually work. 

Natural Weed Killer (Organic and Safe!) | HelloGlow.co

The Secret Ingredient for a Natural Weed Killer

Pulling the weeds is definitely the most obvious way to help control or get rid of them, but it’s not always the easiest. Simply tugging on the leaves doesn’t always pull weeds up at the root. Once they break off, they simply grow back a few days or weeks later, forcing you to repeat the entire rigmarole all over again. But there is something that actually does work—and it’s much less labor-intensive: white vinegar.

That’s it.

Just put this natural weed killer into a spray bottle and and go to town! Within a few hours, they will dry up and become easier to pull from the ground. (Make sure to get the whole root, too!)

Natural Weed Killer (Organic and Safe!) | HelloGlow.coHere’s the catch: The vinegar will also harm the plants you want to keep, so it’s important to use a stream vs. spray with the vinegar. I find this to be most effective on the weeds between the stones on my patio and sidewalk where I don’t want any plants to grow.

Natural Weed Killer (Organic and Safe!) | HelloGlow.co

When using on the lawn, I’m very careful to get down close to the base of the plant and give it a few squirts of vinegar. I let it sit for a few hours, then go back and pull them out. And obviously, it’s nice to get the weeds when they are tiny, but the big ones will shrivel and dry up just as much as the smaller ones.

Just a word of warning: since vinegar works by drying out the leaves of the plant, it won’t be nearly as effective if it gets rinsed off too soon  (you know, like if it rains the next day). It also works best with help from the sun, so if you spray it on weeds in the shade, you may need a couple applications to get rid of them.

Otherwise, easy as can be, right?

More natural weed control options

  • Water the area around weeds to loosen roots before you pull them
  • Insert a knife or screwdriver alongside the root to help dig it out
  • Pour boiling water on them
  • Sprinkle salt on weeds to shrivel them (just be careful you don’t get it on your lawn!)
  • Add lemon juice to the vinegar to increase acidity (which should help kill them faster)

How do you kill weeds in your yard or garden?

2

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Natasha says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:57 am

    I have been vinegar too and it’s amazing to see how quickly the weeds die.

    Reply
  2. Lemon Verbena Lady says

    August 19, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I eat purslane so it is hard for me to see it getting killed. I guess add some oil to the vinegar and I’d have a purslane salad.

    Reply
    • Lindsey Johnson says

      August 19, 2014 at 7:08 pm

      I don’t think was purslane. I was on the hunt for some a few months ago to put into a salad. This was just a pesky weed. 😉

      Reply
  3. Lemon Verbena Lady says

    August 19, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Maybe it’s not purslane after all!

    Reply
  4. karen says

    August 22, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    did you read ‘Beating The Pigs to the Pigweed’-
    it is full of informaton about wild plants that
    are edible, and some are delicious. I love
    lamb’s quarters- is just like spinach

    Reply
  5. Nancy says

    July 23, 2018 at 8:07 pm

    So….I tried this today…for the second time. Sprayed part of mt Rock driveway that the crabgrass and purslane keeps trying to take over. Sprayed at 11 am….nice dry,hot day. Home from work at 5:30…..and even now at 8 pm…it’s all just as green as it was when I sprayed it!
    Absolutely no signs of distress or wilt. Your comments clearly say..”wait a couple hours and…”…….and nothing. Big waste of time and materials!

    Reply

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