http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-girls-wow-weed-killer.html
Green Girl’s Wow Weed Killer
So last week my task in the garden was to pull weeds from between the cracks of the brick pathway. Despite the fact that it is a surprisingly calming task, it did hurt my thumb and forefinger after a while. My gardening glove even ripped from all of the rubbing against the brick! Also I’ve been playing guitar a lot recently and the pain in my fingers made it very difficult to play in a comfortable manner. Or at all.
It seemed like an unending, ungratifying task (no matter how much you weed, there are ALWAYS more), and so they told me that they would just spray the paths.
Now, at this point my mind was racing. Spray? Like, with herbicides? Like, with CHEMICALS? But that’s not safe. That’s not green. I don’t do well with herbicides! I’m very sensitive! Mother won’t let me work!
But I did not have to fret long. Luckily, the people I work for don’t like chemicals either. They shocked me by pulling out an organic weed killer that used clove oil as its main ingredient. Clove oil?!?! I had no idea that clove oil could be an effective weed killer. And when I got home and asked mother, she didn’t either! We were quite excited. Finding new, effective, green products makes our household as excited as kids in a candy shop.
The weed and grass killer was called Burn Out, and the ingredients were simple: Clove oil, vinegar and lemon juice. And Burn Out did indeed pass the test. The weeds between the cracks were killed and have remained away. It does seem as though clove oil works! We’re already telling everyone we know about this find.
Note to self: Goodbye, herbicides. There’s a new threat on the block.
Lily Berthold-Bond grew up in a chemical-free zone and has struggled her whole life to understand and accept this non-commercial lifestyle. Now a sophomore at Tufts University, she has embraced her green life and hopes to share its possibilities with the rest of her generation.
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36 comments
add your comment »I'd like to pipe in here regarding sodium lauryl sulfate and mineral oil, since both ingredients raised some flags for people. We are often on some sort of slippery slope of compromise when it comes to "green" ingredients. I have my lines I would never cross and some instances that I would cross. Both sodium lauryl sulfate and mineral oil are lines I would cross if it meant that the people would not use something hugely more toxic. While not wonderul, sodium lauryl sulfate is in almost every shampoo on the market. Because it is in this weed killer does that mean it shouldn't be used? Not if something more toxic is used. And regarding mineral oil, I totally agree that it isn't divine, and I am no proponnent of petroleum anything, but mineral is the most refined oil product available and largely not very toxic given it is the ingredient of vaseline. I do think Lily's eye jumped and she didn't read about the inerts. I'll help her along with reading labels! (-:
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I'm concerned that you didn't read the rest of the list of ingredients. 79% is mineral oil and water. Mineral oil comes from petroleum. Clove Oil make up only 6.5% of the ingredients.
BurnOut is not as eco friendly as your article says.
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Lynnette..I was glad to see you put in the vinegar and salt w/soap.........but the best is bleach and salt and I use a turkey baster/dropper dobajiggy. Whats the ole saying?? a little dab will do ya...it does.
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Excellent I would love to know where to find it and what the patio is to make my own. Thanks for the info
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I use d-limonene for weed control, it works better than Monsanto's Round Up and costs pennies.
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Dishwashing liquid (not to be confused with dishwasher liquid) is washing-up liquid, and one gallon is equal to 3.78 litres.
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Some Weeds are Medicinal; and Others Just KILL...Pesticides are Toxins; and thus Scientists are finding Organic Methods to Get Rid of these "Pests" that strangle Mother Nature's Green-Life.
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my solution to lawn care is get rid of it and plant other things...flowers, moss or other ground cover...just enough grass and clover to play crochet if i want. but how do you kill invasive weed trees that have suckers and lots of seeds?
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Here's to the power of ORGANIC & lots less poison.
Louise B.
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Thanks Lynette, but here in Europe everything is measured in litres. Any help with the equivalent of that 1 gallon? Plus, is liquid soap the same as washing up liquid? I don't want to destroy too many weeds though as they're part of the food larder for the wildlife! Thanks. Wynn
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