🌱🌱🌱 DIY non-toxic ways to kill weeds 🌱🌱🌱

Weeds in the yard or between your patio/porch flooring can certainly be a persistent problem. ’Tis the season. And while chemical herbicides are effective, they can be harmful to your pets, family and the environment. Luckily, there are natural ways to tackle weeds that are both effective and eco-friendly. Remember, consistency is key. Regular maintenance and early intervention will help keep your outdoor space looking beautiful and weed-free. Here are some of the best natural methods to kill weeds and keep your yard and patio looking pristine:

Manual weeding. Manual weeding, literally pulling out the weeds manually, is the most straightforward and environmentally friendly method. Here are some tips to make it more effective:

• Timing Weed when the soil is moist, making it easier to pull out the entire root.
• Tools Use a weeding tool or garden fork to dig out deep-rooted weeds. We like this one.
• Technique Pull slowly and steadily to remove the whole root system, preventing regrowth.

Boiling water Pouring boiling water over weeds kills them instantly. This method works particularly well for weeds growing in cracks of patios and driveways.

• Application Carefully pour boiling water directly onto the weeds. Repeat as necessary.

DIY Vinegar Weed Killer Spray We love distilled white vinegar here at Armadillo and here it acts as a natural herbicide that can kill weeds. The acetic acid in vinegar draws moisture out of the weed, causing it to dry up and die.

• Recipe Mix white vinegar with a small amount of dish soap to help the vinegar stick to the weeds.
• Application Spray the mixture directly onto the weeds, ensuring you saturate the leaves and stems. Avoid spraying on desired plants, as vinegar can harm them too.

Salt Salt is another effective weed killer, particularly for areas where you don’t want any plants to grow.

• Application Sprinkle salt directly onto the weeds or create a saltwater solution and pour it on the weeds. Be cautious with salt, as it can make the soil inhospitable to all plants.

Mulch Mulching not only helps retain moisture in the soil but also suppresses weed growth by blocking sunlight.

• Materials Use organic mulch like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings. Alternatively, you can use newspaper or cardboard covered with a layer of organic mulch.
• Application Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants, trees, and garden beds to smother weeds and prevent new ones from emerging.

Essential oils Certain essential oils, such as clove oil and citrus oil, can act as natural herbicides.

• Recipe Mix a few drops of essential oil with water and a small amount of dish soap.
• Application Spray the mixture directly onto the weeds.

Weeding *Pro Tips* Maintain a healthy lawn by mowing regularly, watering properly, and fertilizing as needed to create an environment less favorable for weeds. And when gardening, plant a variety of species to cover the soil and outcompete weeds.