A homemade herbicide can be useful for small areas such as cracks in sidewalks, driveways, or places where you do not want any plants to grow, but it is important to know that many “natural” weed killers mainly burn the leaves and may not permanently kill deep roots.
Simple vinegar-based weed spray
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (about 4 liters) white vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons liquid dish soap (helps the spray stick to leaves)
How to use
- Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle or garden sprayer.
- Spray directly onto the leaves of unwanted weeds on a dry, sunny day.
- Avoid spraying nearby grass, flowers, vegetables, or other plants you want to keep.
- Reapply if weeds grow back.
For longer-lasting weed control
- Pull weeds when the soil is moist and remove as much of the root as possible.
- Apply mulch (wood chips, straw, or leaves) in garden beds to block sunlight.
- Keep weeds from seeding by removing them before they mature.
