Homemade weed killer

sumi

Rest in Peace 1980-2020
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
7,025
Reaction score
5,296
Points
337
Location
Ireland
I found this recipe and I think I'm going to give it a try:

1 gallon vinegar
1 1/2 cups Epsom salts
2 tablespoons Dawn dishwashing soap

We don't get Dawn soap here, but I guess Fairy would do the same?
 

Hinotori

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
Messages
5,386
Reaction score
11,050
Points
373
Location
On the foot of Mt Rainier
Epsom salt is a fertilizer. I add it to all my potted plants as magnesium encourages leaf growth. I've never understood this recipe at any of the times I've seen it because of that reason. Why fertilize a weed and encourage leaf growth if it's one that can come back from the root?

Vinegar will burn the leaves of plants and wilt them. I sometimes spray it directly on ones I know will die if you kill the leaves. A little bit of dish soap removes the light bit of plant oil and lets it penetrate easier. It's best to use on a hot dry day. Agricultural vinegar by itself works well if you can find it. It's 20% instead of the household 5%. That however is strong enough to burn skin badly and make the soil too acidic if not applied properly.

Boiling water works better in my opinion. That's how I clear between the pavers on the back step. Anything else I pull by hand or use the step in weed puller.
 

Lazy Gardener

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
4,626
Reaction score
5,876
Points
292
Location
Central Maine, Zone 4B
@hintori, The epsom salt recipe works (on a lot of plants) because of the concentration. A little bit of a good thing is a good thing. But, too much of a good thing can be lethal. I've tried the hot vinegar and salt on poison ivy. The ivy just laughed in my general direction, and continued it's march to dominate my world.
 

Hinotori

Sustainability Master
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
Messages
5,386
Reaction score
11,050
Points
373
Location
On the foot of Mt Rainier
I dig out the invasives. We got rid of all the scotchbroom. Have to get all the roots or it comes back. Nothing poisons them.

Not sure if I managed to get all the bindweed roots last year. I'll find out in a few months.

Blackberries are a constant problem and I've taken to just mowing them regularly to weaken the roots until they die. We'd have to rent a backhoe to dig them.

I do have a propane garden torch. That is great for fence lines.
 

rodeogirl

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
Jan 31, 2015
Messages
764
Reaction score
834
Points
207
Location
Lovell Wyoming
I found this recipe and I think I'm going to give it a try:

1 gallon vinegar
1 1/2 cups Epsom salts
2 tablespoons Dawn dishwashing soap

We don't get Dawn soap here, but I guess Fairy would do the same?
Ill have to try this one and see if it works on my weed patch.... i mean lawn. I'm about ready to just dig it up burn it and start all over but my landlord wont let me.
 

Lazy Gardener

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
4,626
Reaction score
5,876
Points
292
Location
Central Maine, Zone 4B
I do battle with poison ivy by hand. Will not use weed killers here. Too bad PI can't be burned out. We also have lots of brambles: raspberries, blackberries and others. I want to mount an invasion on those this year, b/c they are host to insects that have destroyed my cultivated raspberries. I'm thankful that I have several gallons of raspberries in the freezer from last season. We also have bind weed, and deadly nightshade.

I can't mow the invasives b/c where the lawn ends, the land is uncultivated: It would take lots of fill, and a back hoe, and lots of $$$$ to claim that as lawn.
 

Lazy Gardener

Super Self-Sufficient
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
4,626
Reaction score
5,876
Points
292
Location
Central Maine, Zone 4B
@rodeogirl , have you tried overseeding your lawn? If you keep up with mowing at the right height to favor the grass, and overseed, you might be able to get a handle on the worst of the weed problem. we have lots of weeds here, but... for the most part, I ignore them. Do need to grub out some thistles.
 

FarmerJamie

Mr. Sensitive
Joined
Dec 22, 2010
Messages
9,343
Reaction score
15,969
Points
393
I dig out the invasives. We got rid of all the scotchbroom. Have to get all the roots or it comes back. Nothing poisons them.

Not sure if I managed to get all the bindweed roots last year. I'll find out in a few months.

Blackberries are a constant problem and I've taken to just mowing them regularly to weaken the roots until they die. We'd have to rent a backhoe to dig them.

I do have a propane garden torch. That is great for fence lines.
Ugh bindweed. Nasty stuff
 

Latest posts

Top