topic Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL in Community Chat

SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

tends2dogs — Sat, 14 May 2016 16:43:57 GMT

Wasn't sure where to post this, Home, Garden, or Pet Lovers so I am putting it out here:

Does anyone know a safe way to get rid of weeds in your yard and around walkways that is safe around people and pets? Going through lymphoma with my dog right now, I have been reading so many bad reports on RoundUp and other toxic chemical products causing cancer, particularly lymphoma. I have forbid DH from using it and am hoping to find something that will work. Personally, I could care less, but my DH takes care of the lawn and he wants it to look nice.

I know there are a lot of pet lovers out there, not to mention health conscious people. What have you come up with?

TIA

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 14 May 2016 16:59:00 GMT

Pray the weeds away.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

dex — Sat, 14 May 2016 17:33:31 GMT

Hand removal works and it is good exercise and a way to spend time in the yard with your pet.I always played ball and pulled weeds so we both got a workout.I think vinegar kills weeds too but it may be hard on the lawn...you could check that out.i wanted to add that I hope your little doggie isn't feeling too sick.We went through cancer with our girl too but she managed to stay healthy enough for a few years that she had a decent quality of life.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

Marp — Sat, 14 May 2016 17:32:01 GMT

@tends2dogs,thank you for being so conscientious about the needs of your dog.

I've had good success with vinegar. There is a lot of redundancy in the information from these two links but you might find them helpful.

http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/vinegar-weed-killer.html

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-vinegar-salt-weed-killer-49329.html

Said a little tongue in cheek, if all else fails try goats. Not only are they effective they can be adorable too.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

GingerPeach — Sat, 14 May 2016 17:59:23 GMT

@Marp and @tends2dogs

I use vinegar, too. Works great.

I used to think you needed the extra strength you can only buy at a hardware store, but grocery store vinegar works just as well. Just pour it on. Get the cheapest white vinegar you can find.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

Lucky Charm — Sat, 14 May 2016 18:05:12 GMT

Best thing to do is to pull them in the spring. Right after a soaking rain and they come up easily. My yards are 98% sand except for the house we just bought. I've been keeping at them since Jan and the grass is literally weed free. It's an obsession with me....lol.

Sorry about your doggy and I hope it gets better.

Roundup is nasty stuff and I'm really surprised that some posters jump on gardening threads and shout 'Roundup'. To them I say spray it on your salad, please.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

athenian — Sat, 14 May 2016 18:21:03 GMT

If not too near "good" plants, boiling water in a tea kettle works. Just be careful not to splash it on you feet, as I learned the hard way. In beds i just dig them out. I have an old dandelion puller (a sharp notched head on a long stick) that saves my back.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

gabstoomuch — Sat, 14 May 2016 19:17:11 GMT

I use vinegar and salt in a spray bottle. Sometimes takes a few appplications, 2 or 3 maybe. But the weed never comes back!

Be careful though, it kills anything green, so spray the weed down at the base, right at the ground. It will kill surrounding plants if sprayed randomly.

Kill it at the roots and buh bye weed

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

tends2dogs — Sat, 14 May 2016 19:25:11 GMT

I want to thank all that posted a suggestion. I just came in from pulling them up from around stepping stones. I really don't mind doing it. I am going to give vinegar and salt a try. Also, the boiling water doesn't sound too bad either.

In the grass we have what is called dollar weed running through the whole yard. It is a green shiny round leaf. I say, hey, it is green, who cares??? It still bugs my DH. He is retired and this type of thing NEVER caught his attention before......now......what can I say?

Thanks again.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

KYToby — Sat, 14 May 2016 19:32:47 GMT

Natural DOES NOT equal safe.

Rather than listen to the hysterian on Round Up -- put out there by uneducated people who have no clue about science with an agenda (they hate its manufacturer and will lie through their teeth to damage it), just get something that works.

When used as directed, herbicides and pesticides and be quite effective and completely safe.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

cpn2jxp — Sat, 14 May 2016 19:42:34 GMT

I read this on the internet as a safe and effective weed remover. I havent tried it yet but intend to.

1 gallon vinegar

2 cups epson salt

1/4 cup Dawn BLUE dishwashing liquid

Put in plastic spray bottle, I believe Lowes/ Home Depot have them. Spray on weeds in morning after dew is gone. Weeds should be gone by nightfall. I find it hard to believe it could e that quick but its worth a shot. Chemicals are never an option with pets. EVER!

Good luck and prayers for your pup. Im going through a similar situation with my doxie.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 14 May 2016 20:08:40 GMT

I just used plain vinegar on the weeds between the pavers in the back....works great. I bought a spray bottle at the dollar store..

You should use it on a sunny day that is over 70 degrees for best results. It took 2 days and my weeds were all brown and came out easily...

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

Nataliesgramma — Sat, 14 May 2016 20:10:55 GMT

My brother uses this stuff that he bought at Target

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

CelticCrafter — Sat, 14 May 2016 20:34:24 GMT

I wish there was something that would only kill poison ivy.

We are overrun with it but if I spray anything I know it's going to kill everything else and I don't want that.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

Snoopp — Sat, 14 May 2016 20:55:18 GMT

I hate weeds; my back doesn't like them either (I pulled a lot of those nasty weeds yesterday and today). I tried boiling water and it works but if you have many weeds...well, you know it will take a long time. I just tried a new product, Burn Out that is supposedly less toxic. Looks like I need another application of that cause it did something but not sure it killed them dead yet. Maybe it needs a few more days. I am also trying black construction garbage bags covering the weeds to smother them. This isn't going too well as the bags keep blowing up in a strong wind and I have to find a better way of anchoring them down. I had a few black doormats so I laid them on the patio area and they killed the weeds but my gosh it has been almost 3 weeks to kill them. I'll try the vinegar and salt combo next. As you may have guessed, I have a lot of weeds.

I usually have good luck with Preen (will prevent more from growing) but last year it stopped working for me. It won't kill the existing ones but it has stopped new weeds for me in the past.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

DiAnne — Sat, 14 May 2016 21:47:23 GMT

I don't use any chemicals in my back yard where the dogs are. I just pull the weeks and tell myself how much exercise I am getting!

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

GingerPeach — Sat, 14 May 2016 23:06:37 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
I wish there was something that would only kill poison ivy.

We are overrun with it but if I spray anything I know it's going to kill everything else and I don't want that.

Hi @CelticCrafter

@JustJazzmom has a method that may work for you. It involves carefully dipping a small brush into the herbicide (wear rubber gloves) and painting it onto the poison ivy. Perhaps she'll come over and give details. If nothing else, it will give you some sort of start on this.

Whatever you do, just do it on a non-windy day or at a non-windy time of day.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

catwhisperer — Sat, 14 May 2016 23:24:47 GMT

I have always used full strength white vinegar in a spray bottle and it has worked every time.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

CelticCrafter — Sat, 14 May 2016 23:29:10 GMT

Thanks @GingerPeach! I hope JustJazzmom will make an appearance.

Re: SAFE/NATURAL WEED CONTROL

JustJazzmom — Sun, 15 May 2016 00:31:22 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
I wish there was something that would only kill poison ivy.

We are overrun with it but if I spray anything I know it's going to kill everything else and I don't want that.

@CelticCrafter

Take Round Up and put some of it into a cup and dip a small brush into the liquid and paint those poison ivy leaves. This is important especially if the ivy is among plants you want to keep.

Do this when there is no rain in the forecast coming up. When the poison ivy dies, take some gloves, old clothes etc. and remove all the ivy and bag it up. Do not compost it or burn it as the oil is still active on the dead plants and can cause rashes.

One other thing to keep in mind, if a dog or cat runs through poison ivy, they cannot get rashes. But if you go to pet you dog or cat you can get the rash from the oil on its fur.