Every summer we plant a vegetable garden. And every summer I battle the weeds. Last summer, I gave up and let them win. It was just too hot, I was too busy and there were just too many of them to be pulled. I refuse to use chemical weed killers in my garden.
Why? Well, because weed killers contain toxic ingredients and despite what the manufacturers tell you, those chemicals don't biodegrade. So they're in the soil which means they're in your vegetables which means they're in your body. And some studies even suggest that you don't have to even ingest the chemicals, just breathe in the vapors while you're spraying, and you could be harming your body. How so? Some of the ingredients actually kill testosterone, attack the thyroid, and even cause or exacerbate celiac disease and gluten intolerance. All three of these health concerns are very real issues in the Rose household, and we take them pretty seriously.
You can read more about it:
Okay, so now that you're completely disgusted, let's talk about a better way to kill those pesky weeds. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. I didn't believe this concoction of household ingredients could kill weeds, but it actually worked.
Yes, the yard smelled like pickles for a few minutes. But that's no big deal. I didn't have to worry about locking my kids and dog in the house while I sprayed. And I didn't have to wear a gas mask to protect my thyroid! I even spilled some on my hands and it didn't hurt or do any damage. I'm supposed to have six fingers on my right hand, right? Oh, just kidding!
Here's the recipe:
1 gallon white vinegar
2 cups epsom salts
1/4 cup Dawn soap (blue kind)
Put the salts in first, then the soap then the vinegar. I do it this way so that everything gets mixed together well. You can stir it if you want, but I haven't need to do so. Then just spray away.
I think it works because the vinegar and the salt dry out the weed. My hands were a little dry after I spilled it on them, and the dead weeds look like they've been dried out. So that's my guess. The soap makes the other two ingredients stick to the plant.
I sprayed one morning and the next morning, to my surprise, they were dead! Hooray! Now, it is best to spray on a day where there will be no rain for several hours. And you should refrain from watering as well. Hot, dry days are best for speedy all-natural weed killing.
Check out the pictures below. Then come back later to hear how I'm treating Gracey's GERD without meds.
Why? Well, because weed killers contain toxic ingredients and despite what the manufacturers tell you, those chemicals don't biodegrade. So they're in the soil which means they're in your vegetables which means they're in your body. And some studies even suggest that you don't have to even ingest the chemicals, just breathe in the vapors while you're spraying, and you could be harming your body. How so? Some of the ingredients actually kill testosterone, attack the thyroid, and even cause or exacerbate celiac disease and gluten intolerance. All three of these health concerns are very real issues in the Rose household, and we take them pretty seriously.
You can read more about it:
- Roundup and Celiac
- Roundup and Thyroid Cancer
- Roundup and Testosterone
- Roundup and Gut Issues
- Roundup and Food
- Roundup and Human Cells
Okay, so now that you're completely disgusted, let's talk about a better way to kill those pesky weeds. I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. I didn't believe this concoction of household ingredients could kill weeds, but it actually worked.
Yes, the yard smelled like pickles for a few minutes. But that's no big deal. I didn't have to worry about locking my kids and dog in the house while I sprayed. And I didn't have to wear a gas mask to protect my thyroid! I even spilled some on my hands and it didn't hurt or do any damage. I'm supposed to have six fingers on my right hand, right? Oh, just kidding!
Here's the recipe:
1 gallon white vinegar
2 cups epsom salts
1/4 cup Dawn soap (blue kind)
Put the salts in first, then the soap then the vinegar. I do it this way so that everything gets mixed together well. You can stir it if you want, but I haven't need to do so. Then just spray away.
I think it works because the vinegar and the salt dry out the weed. My hands were a little dry after I spilled it on them, and the dead weeds look like they've been dried out. So that's my guess. The soap makes the other two ingredients stick to the plant.
I sprayed one morning and the next morning, to my surprise, they were dead! Hooray! Now, it is best to spray on a day where there will be no rain for several hours. And you should refrain from watering as well. Hot, dry days are best for speedy all-natural weed killing.
Check out the pictures below. Then come back later to hear how I'm treating Gracey's GERD without meds.