Natural Herbicides for Lawns, Paving and Gardens

Want your kids to roll around on the lawn and play safely in the garden? Want your backyard to be a haven for pollinators, birds and butterflies? Then we’ve got just what you need – natural herbicides that are eco-friendly, easy and cheap!

I have disparate neighbors; Maria is a sweet old lady who yells at me when I go outside barefoot; “You will get something in your foot and have to go to hospital and then you will die,” she says, waving a gnarled finger in my general direction. Her weed control method involves carpet-bombing the backyard with herbicide, regardless of wind direction or velocity and without wearing any kind of protective wear (except shoes, of course).

My other neighbor is a green living expert who spends most of his days on his little stool, digging weeds up out between flowers and paving stones. He doesn’t mind the time and effort, but I have a short supply of both. So I am determined to be the middle ground between these two extremes and I’ve been trying out some natural herbicides which are working like it’s nobody’s business. Here they are especially for you!

Fire it up: No kidding! This is the funnest way to rid your garden of weeds ever. Just get a small hand-held propane torch and go to it. (Obvious note of caution for neighboring plants and fire hazards.)

Boiling water: Pour it over leaves and stems to rid your garden of unwanted weeds – this is a great option for dry areas.

Sweet deal: 1 Cup molasses to 1 gallon of water sprayed or poured on weeds is a great way to give them the boot.

Salt and vinegar: Add one part salt to 3 parts vinegar and spray onto weeds with a spray bottle. This is a very effective herbicide. You can supersize your herbicide by adding biodegradable liquid soap and citrus essential oils.

Salting the fields: Salt is a very effective herbicide, but it can prevent other plants from growing in affected soil, so make sure you keep to the plants or to areas you don’t want any growth. Mix 1 part salt to 3 parts warm water and 1 part liquid biodegradable soap. Spray on weeds with a spray bottle.

The ultimate herbicide recipe of all time!