Winning the war on weeds with natural remedies

Getting rid of weeds in your garden may seem like a full time job, as these pesky little plants seem to thrive in any soil. If you, like me, are reluctant to use chemicals to control weeds, you may think your only alternative is to hand pull them. 

There are, of course, other options - but I'd like to share an all natural weed killer that can be found in your kitchen cabinets.

Vinegar makes an effective weed killer for both the yard and the garden. According to Purdue University, the best solution to use is distilled vinegar with a 5%  to 10 % acidity. Vinegar purchased in the store typically contains 5 % acidity making it suitable for killing most weeds. Stronger solutions, labeled as herbicides, can be purchased from gardening centers.

• Fill a spray bottle with vinegar.
  
• Add a few drops of dish detergent and shake to mix well. The dish detergent helps the vinegar cling to the plants. 
  
• Spray the solution directly onto the leaves and stems of weeds.
  
• Repeat the application as necessary.

Use caution with vinegar, as it will kill any vegetation it contacts and can't tell your vegetables from weeds. For stubborn weeds - like burdocks - pour vinegar directly onto the roots.

For more tips on controlling weeds in your garden, read Waging war on weeds: Winning the battle

.Note: Because vinegar breaks down quickly, there is little risk of it effecting the pH of your soil, says Purdue University.

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