Well I am still out back working on my yard (finally stopped raining again). Now that the sun is out and everything is going lush, I am not sure if I have more grass or weeds in part of the yard. The dandelions are huge mothers with roots like carrots. There is also some clover (I think).
I don't want to use a poison that Ebony could pick up on her feet so I am looking for alternatives. I was wondering what you would recommend. I'm thinking maybe boiling water might work but have zero idea if that kills the root which is what I would like. I think digging is a bit fruitless with them being so established (probably a big underground network) and besides my back would complain.
BTW, I hit Home Depot yesterday...some of the plants were on clearance. I may have to dig another bed.
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We Had A Lawn (both Front And Back) Full Of Huge Dandelions So We Bought A Fiskar Long Handeled Tool To Pull Them Out And It Was Super To Use ,it Pulled The Dandelions Out Rooy And All With Very Little Trouble. My Family Couldn't Get Over It, And It Wa Sfast Too.
Hi DBD,
I've been using the vinegar for a couple of years now. I've found the best way to apply it directly to the plant is to get one of those pump sprayers from WalMart (about $10). You can get a pretty accurate aim that way, and very little grass around it suffers, if your aim is good! I found spraying the flower head of the dandilion, as well as the leaves, helped it shrivel up and die faster.
I never knew about the boiling down to make it stronger...I do buy the pickling vinegar to use, though, as it's a stronger acidity.
Good luck with the weeds!
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Luvto I think I have so much vinegar because I do use it for cleaning and every time I've run out of my spray bottle I ran and bought another big jug. IN my last house they were stored in the basement so I just forgot I had them I guess and hence the stockpile now. It's great for cleaning and getting rid of odors (although sometimes I end up with a craving for french fries for some reason....).
I did some reading last night and it came up as the natural alternative in nearly every site. One recommended boiling it down to increase the acidity and going double barrel by pouring the hot vinegar on weeds. So it cooks them as well as the acid killing the root. I have visions of me, my kettle, and my outdoor extension cord. Yet something else for the neighbours to wonder about I guess.
What I haven't been able to find out is how long the soil would retain that acid as I assume it isn't something grass likes either. maybe it's like dog pee and can be watered into oblivion once the weed is dead.
I just don't trust the sprays sold, so we just try to keep the lawn mowed so the yellow buttercups and dandelions are deadheaded! I don't have pets but I worry about the kids. I plan to deal with weeds when the kids are not likely to be rolling on the lawn in a few years down the road.
I don't think dandelions and clover have the underground system, I think they just come up from seed. The thing about getting them out that is tough is getting the long taproot each plant sends down into the ground. My sister had me work some out of her lawn with a long screwdriver when I was small, but there's a tool that you can get that might work a little better.
My sister gave me a recipe for weeds that uses salt, which I have not tried, but it is not for lawns. I am going to use it on my bricks and sidewalk cracks only. I used salt on slugs in the lawn once, and that's how I learned about the brown spots!
Weedkiller for Sidewalks and Driveways
4 cups white vinegar
¼ cup table salt
¼ cup dishwashing detergent (liquid I think, like Ivory)
Mix together in spray bottle. Do NOT use on lawns!!!
DBD, off topic but.......you can use the vinegar for cleaning instead of other store bought chemicals......the house smells nicer when you use vinegar, JMO.
Thanks I think I will try the vinegar first. That may help me use up the 3 gallons I have (I have no idea why I have so many big bottles of vinegar but that will put them to good use).
Avenger and Burn Out are pet friendly, but a mixture of warm water , clove oil, vinegar and lemon juice works too. I think the 2 commercail products contain those ingredients. If you cut the blooms off the seeds will not spread. Leave clover as it releases nitrogen back in the soil by its root system.
Damn ads I had to type this 3x as the post vanished before I posted :mad:
Vinegar works, but you have to make sure you apply it only to the weed you want to kill - it will kill the surrounding grass if you aren't careful. I use it on the weeds that come up through my paver walkway, and it works well!