5 non-toxic ways to help control garden weeds

Although chemical-based weed killers do the job, there are greener alternatives that are easy to make at home. Whatever your views, it's always wise to first use weed killers with low toxicity before moving on to harsher ones. Here are five natural weed-killing remedies worth trying.

Salt will kill many weeds that can't be pulled up from the roots. Use a garden hoe to scrape the soil away from the base of the weed and then cut the stem as close to the ground as possible. Pour salt onto the wound, trying your best not to spill any into the soil.

For larger areas, such as between flagstones on a patio or walkway where weeds tend to sprout, a salty water solution works well.

• Simply add the salt to hot water, stirring until it dissolves. Then pour the salt solution between the flagstones. As it infiltrates the soil, the salt water makes conditions unlivable for the weeds.

If weeds or grass sprout from cracks in your driveway, sidewalk, or any other outdoor paved surface, douse them with boiling water.

• Simply pour boiling water into the cracks.
• You may have to repeat the treatment a few times for results that last.

N.B.: Be extremely careful and take precautions to avoid getting scalds or burns from the boiling water. Moreover, don't pour boiling water into a plastic watering can or container. They could possibly melt from the heat!

If part of your garden seems a little too weed-friendly, try adding a smothering layer (camouflaged with mulches) to keep undesirable plants from sprouting. To create a layer that "suffocates" the weeds:

• Wet several sheets of newspaper so that they cling together, and then set the mat over a patch of weeds. Camouflage the mat by topping it with wood chips or other mulch. Remove it once the weeds are kaput.
• Split the seams of black plastic trash bags to double their size and use them to blanket the problem spot. Spiff the plastic up with wood chips or such and leave it in place 10–14 days – by which time the weeds should be dead and gone.

Another alternative is landscaping fabric, purchased at most home improvement centres.

• This fabric has a "cottony" feel, it's easy to use and is typically black in colour. Simply unroll it to the desired length, then peg it into the ground. It serves as a barrier against sunlight and smothers anything growing underneath.

When using this approach, be careful about where you apply this smothering layer. It will eliminate not only the weeds but anything else you cover – desirable plants, too!

Poison ivy is one weed you don't want to mess around with. An easy way to kill it? With a spray of vodka and water.

• Combine 30 ml (two tablespoons) of vodka with 500 ml (two cups) of water and pour the solution into a hand-held spray bottle. Spray the leaves on weeds. Vodka's dehydrating action will kill poison ivy soon after the leaves are saturated, although you may have to repeat the treatment a few times.
• Some people have tried using rubbing alcohol instead of vodka and have observed similar success.

Although this isn't the most inexpensive method, people claim it's very effective on such broadleaf weeds as plantain, dandelions and mullein.

The acetic acid in vinegar kills the leaves of a weed, not the root. That's why if you apply this spray often enough it will deplete the weed's stored energy reserves and kill off the intruder.

To make a weed-fighting vinegar spray you'll need:

• 500 ml (2 cups) of water
• 375 ml (1½ cups) of vinegar – either white or cider
• 125 ml (½ cup) of dishwashing liquid

To prepare the vinegar spray:

1. Using a funnel, pour all of the ingredients into a one-quart spray bottle.
2. Shake well to mix.
3. Spray the solution directly on weeds, taking care not to spray any on surrounding grass or desirable plants.

Although non-toxic solutions may take a few applications to help keep your garden weed-free, ultimately they are easy and inexpensive to make, simple to use and much less harmful to the environment.