Organic Weed Killer

But if you have more than a few weeds and don't want to spend the time and energy hand-pulling them, there are other alternatives. Chemical herbicides are not the only way to go.

Organic weed killers do a good job of keeping weeds out of gardens and lawns.

Vinegar

It's been around for centuries and has many useful purposes in the home, including cleaning and cooking. It can also be used as an organic weed killer.

Household vinegar has only a 5% acetic acid concentration, which will destroy young, small weeds. For larger, mature weeds, you should get organic vinegar that has a concentration of 15%.

This will work to destroy the top growth on most weeds within hours of application. With a few applications for a few weeks, the weeds will eventually die off.

Organic vinegars with 15% acid content are available at organic gardening shops and health food stores.

Boiling Water

It doesn't get much simpler than this. Pour boiling water over the top of the weeds and they will die.

However, boiling water and its steam can kill any plant growth it touches, so it works best on areas like driveways or where you want all growth killed.

Rock Salt Crystals

Be careful using salt. It can remain in the soil for weeks after application, which will keep other plants or lawn from filling in the bare spots.

Use it on driveways, and between cracks in steps, walks and patios where weeds take hold. Pour the crystals around the plant's base, not on the leaves. It will take some time to leach into the soil and destroy the roots.

Corn Gluten Meal

This pre-emergent organic weed killer actually prevents weed seeds from germinating, by drying them out before they can sprout.

Because it does not kill anything but seeds, it is safe to use in beds and lawns as it will not affect other plantings, including grown weeds.

Do not, however, use it in an area where you have spread other seeds or are waiting for seeds dropped by the previous years' growth to sprout.

Stores that sell animal feed have inexpensive quantities of corn gluten meal, or look for agricultural grade cornmeal.

Rubbing Alcohol

A solution of one tablespoon alcohol to one cup water in a spray bottle can be applied similar to vinegar. The alcohol dries out the weeds and kills them.

Commercially Prepared Products

There are some products on the market that are effective in controlling and eliminating weeds. Check the labels carefully to be sure no chemicals have been added to the formula.

Fatty-acid based herbicides effectively eliminate annual weeds, while perennials will continue to come back every year since the roots are not destroyed. These will need hand pulling to eliminate completely.

Some products combine disease controlling substances and weed killer in one product, serving double duty in the garden.

Preparing organic weed killers as spray applications and applying them at the appropriate stage of weed growth will ensure a healthy garden, lawn and environment.

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