Non-Toxic Weed Killers

What is the best nontoxic weed killer to use and what ingredients are needed?

Hardiness Zone: 6a

By Laurie from Jackson, MI

Answers: Non-Toxic Weed Killers

Read answers for this question below.

By 07/12/2010

Everything is toxic. Vinegar is more toxic than Roundup, look it up on the MSDS if you don't believe it. Boiling water creates greenhouse gases, uses toxic fuel. More data is available showing Roundup has a favorable environmental profile than either of the other methods listed.

By 04/24/2010

Vinegar or Boiling Water: Regular household Vinegar can be used or you can buy a stronger vinegar at a plant nursery. Heating the vinegar up works even better! Put the vinegar in a garden-sprayer & spray on the weeds, or pour it directly on to the soil to kill the roots.

Vinegar is more permanent & will keep most things from growing long-term, while boiling water, of course is only temporary, but it works for areas where you may want to later grow things, like weeding flower or vegetable gardens or where you may want to plant foliage or bushes at a later date.

* To boil water outside, you can use a propane camping stove, but don't leave it unattended! Not even for a second, because a child or someone's pet could get burned!

Do the environment a favor & please don't use bleach, it IS toxic!

By 04/24/2010

Try using boiling water, or equal parts of bleach and water. Do not use on anything you do not want to kill, in the lawn or garden. I just used bleach and water in my rock gardens, and saw results in a day.

Non-Toxic Weed Killers

We have a lot of weeds growing in the street and we like to know what none chemical ways to kill the weeds. Our water comes from the aquifer.

Carol from Hobbs, NM

boiling water

Pour boiling water over the weeds. It takes a few days for them to die, but it does work.

Raine (11/30/2000)

By admin2

distilled white vinegar

I just read that distilled white vinegar kills weeds and leaves the grass around it intact.

Janet in Twin Falls, Idaho (11/30/2000)

By admin2

Happy Garden

First cut the weeds with a mower or weed wacker, then cover the area with black plastic for a few days when it is hot. That will help kill off what is growing there. When weeds are dead, dig up the soil and replant. If you don't want anything to grow there and if you have bark, mulch, or gravel around you can cover the plastic with that and leave in place.

Weeds will only be able to grow above the plastic making them much easier to pull. Another way is to cover the area with newspaper (2 sheets thick) and cover that with bark or mulch. Cut holes with a knife where you want to plant or just leave it covered with bark, mulch, or gravel. For spot weed killing, baking soda also works well. Sprinkle a little on top of the weed. The weeds turn black and die within a few days. Safer's has a nontoxic weed killer available in garden stores.

Susan - The Editor (11/30/2000)

By admin2

RE: Non-chemical Weed Killers

I put down black plastic about 20 years ago and made holes to plant flowers and bushes. Recently we removed some problem plants and pulled up some of the plastic. The soil under it had mold mixed with the soil about 8 inches deep. I won't use it again. (04/04/2006)

By Marianne

Salt in homemade weed killers...DANGER!

Recipes using common salt poisons the soil for years and helps more dangerous chemicals move into the groundwater. Roundup kills even the roots, doesn't poison the land, and actually breaks down on the surface into natural, harmless organics. One of the few times where cheap or natural is never better. Salt has been used to ruin farmland during war since biblical days. (05/02/2006)

By The Greenster

RE: Non-chemical Weed Killers

Always get a healthy lawn and you will not have weeds. Fertilize with a good fertilizer 3 times a year. Remember that the fall fertilization is the most important one. You also have to know what kind of grass you have to know what fertilizer to use. Then search online for the info. It takes lot of water for the grass to grow fast. Good luck. (03/26/2009)

By kffrmw88