Q: I'm looking for a non-toxic, non-herbicidal weed killer, one that isn't going to contaminate water and kill my pets. But I also want it to be effective. (Homemade DIY recipes haven't cut it for me.) Any ideas?
Sent by Layla
Editor: Layla, we've heard that Burnout is a good option. Made from clove oil, vinegar and lemon juices and OMRI listed for use in organic production, Burnout is a contact, broad-spectrum weed killer, meaning that it kills everything and anything that it touches, and it works in eight hours or less. It can be used to kill Chickweed, Black Medic, Dandelion, Pigweed, Algae and Moss, Foxtail, Ivy Leaf, Morning Glory, Poison Hemlock, Milkweed, Liverwort, Ragweed, Clover, Sicklepod, Quackgrass, and Bluegrass. We've read very positive reviews of it.
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I have found the EcoSMART Weed & Grass Killer to be quite effective. I sprayed it on some grass growing up from the sidewalk in front of our store and it turned brown and withered within about 20 minutes. Also, it actually smells great. It is non-toxic and safe around kids and pets.
More info here:
http://www.ecosmart.com/products/weed-and-grass-killer/
We do also sell it at our store:
http://www.greenwardshop.com/shop/home/clean/garden-and-compost/7362-weed-38-grass-killer-24-oz-bottle/
Scott Walker
Greenward
straight white vinegar should kill anything. Salt if it is somewhere you don't ever want something growing.
or fire for the most fun! (there are weed-specific fire throwers of sorts out there)
weed-specific fire throwers... now that sounds like fun!
Last time I re-planted one of my beds, I put down brown paper bags under the mulch and that's done a great job of keeping the weeds at bay. I've also tried newspaper but that didn't work as well as the brown paper bags.
I read somewhere here on AT a tip to use boiling water. My husband and I have poured the water off pasta onto weeds and it definitely makes a difference. Occasionally you might need to do it twice. We even managed to almost kill off our English ivy with it.
I've used boiling water and vinegar successfully. Completely non-toxic with no lasting consequence to the soil. I wouldn't want to be a nice juicy worm crawling past when the boiling water arrives but otherwise not harmful.
Someone suggested salt for the forever weed free site... cracks in the driveway could be a good site for a little saline eradication.