SHREVEPORT, La. – Many home gardeners spend countless hours pulling weeds by hand — but when unwanted growth becomes stubborn, some look for spray solutions.
For those concerned about the environmental impact of commercial chemical herbicides, especially when rain causes runoff into local lakes and rivers, an organic alternative may be worth trying.
There is a popular recipe for killing weeds that requires three ingredients from your kitchen: salt, vinegar and dish soap.
Start with a quarter cup of salt, then add a half gallon of vinegar. The vinegar and salt work together to dry out the plant’s foliage after it is sprayed.
Because the mixture is strong enough to harm healthy plants as well, experts recommend using it primarily on hardscape areas such as cracks in sidewalks, driveways, and patios, where overspray won’t damage desirable landscaping.
The final ingredient is a small amount of dish soap. Rather than acting as a cleaner, the soap helps the solution adhere to the leaves instead of beading up on the surface, allowing the mixture to work more effectively.
After mixing the ingredients thoroughly, apply the spray directly to weeds. Results are quick, but it may take more than one application to get to the roots.
For gardeners who want to avoid synthetic chemicals, this organic approach may offer a useful alternative — especially in areas where weeds are persistent but easy to target.
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