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Sidewalk Weed Control

posted by Annie B. Bond Jan 27, 1999 10:55 am
Sidewalk Weed Control
45 comments

We often think of the wonderful healing qualities of plants and gardens, but fail to realize how much damage we can do using conventional gardening products. Use these eco-friendly, health friendly tips to control weeds in your garden without chemical herbicides that can cause serious health problems.

Use this tried-and-true recipe for weeds growing in sidewalk cracks and between bricks, not in the garden (the plants will be killed).

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 teaspoon liquid detergent
  • 1 gallon vinegar

Easy Directions

Combine the ingredients in a bucket. Stir to blend. Sprinkle over weeds.

More on Lawns & Gardens (134 articles available)
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45 comments

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45 comments

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45 comments add your comment
Cynde H.

This is awesome~thanks for the tip! Now I'll finally be able to get rid of those nasty things! No matter what else I've tried in the past, the weeds always came back. If this really works, I'll be forever in your debt. Bless you! :o)

Esther Scerri

I must say there's not much grass on my sidewalk but I will certainl pass this message to my friend who will find it very useful thank you

Sandy E.

Thanks! I'll try this. I've been using plain boiling water which works fairly well too, but the weeds do grow back after a couple weeks.

Kelli M.

I'm so glad to find this tip! I was looking at weeds growing through the cracks in our sidewalk today and wondered if pouring boiling salt water would do the trick. Glad to see that I wasn't far off track!

Kathy Toth

Thanks for the great ideas.

Sandy Wilson

How long does it take to kill the poison ivy after I spray it? Thanks

Felisa W.

This is amazing, thanks for the weeds tip. I find this very important as toxins harm, there is always a better and healthier way.

Karen M.

My question is, will this work on salt grass? We have tried everything to kill it and nothing works! We have even in desperation tried toxic weedkillers (we have pets and young children so we don't use anything harmful usually) painting them on the individual stalks of this weed. I don't know if salt frass is the official name of this weed, but everyone around here calls it that.

Sharon P.

It's great to hear and be reminded of eco friendly ways to make our yards and our earth a safer place to live. Actually, I have used salt water to kill weeds before and this works well also. Yes, newspapers spreaded around plants will inhibit weeds from taking over. My daughter, Stacy, who lives and mantains an organic farm, cuts cardboard boxes up and puts them around her blueberry bushes. This works well to keep weeds at bay. Keep the good work up and the homes and garden tips coming!

Mira Jayne

"Duh." that's how I feel. I already *knew* that salt and vinegar inhibits growth of plants! Geez, what a simple recipe!!!!

To Rebecca L. - This recipe doesn't say to use road salt. Table salt will work.

Actually, sidewalks aren't required in front of homes where I live and I don't have one. It saves me from shoveling snow in the winter!

As for weeds in my lawn, I don't worry about them. I've sprinkled wildflower mix instead of grass seed on my lawn and it's beautiful. I'm the envy of my neighbors. A pretty "lawn" and no maitenance.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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