Gardeners may see an increase in weeds popping up around their home during warmer weather, but this simple homemade recipe is set to banish them for good
Summer is undeniably on the horizon; the parks are getting greener, the days are getting longer, and the temperature is definitely hotter. However, the more sunshine we get, the more we start to see those pesky weeds popping up in our gardens.
These dreaded weeds have a bad habit of appearing out of nowhere. Whether on your lawn, beloved flower beds, paving stones, patios, or even your driveway. However, this simple three-ingredient ‘weed killer recipe’ works absolute wonders in just under 24 hours, and you probably already have the ingredients at your fingertips.
The simple solution is much cheaper than your typical brand-name weed killers and doesn’t include the harsh chemicals that can often cause more harm than good. At the same time, it is essential to note that before preparing this concoction, it is crucial not to apply it to areas where you want other plants to grow.
READ MORE: Gardening expert’s hack to fix patchy lawn in 3 steps – and most common causes
How to mix it
To rid your garden of unsightly weeds, simply mix a gallon of vinegar with a cup of salt and two tablespoons of liquid dish soap. It’s advisable to opt for an eco-friendly soap to keep the solution more environmentally friendly.
When all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and gently spritz the affected areas of the garden, allowing them to soak in. The mixture works due to the intense concentration of acetic acid in the vinegar, which can effectively dehydrate the weeds, ultimately leading them to dry up and die.
Therefore, for the most effective results, use a vinegar with a high percentage of acetic acid, ideally between 10% and 20%. Similarly, the salt also has dehydrating properties, which disrupt the plant’s water balance.
While the dish soap acts as a binder, allowing the vinegar and salt to adhere to the plant’s leaves. All these properties, combined, will effectively kill the weed in under 24 hours.
Another annoying guest that often appears in our gardeners this time of year is pests and bugs. As mercury rises, so does the bug population. Similarly, with weeds, it is best to avoid using harsh chemicals to deter them, as this can often cause more harm than good.
However, this simple garden spray, made with pantry items you probably already have, can help reduce the bug population in your garden without affecting other thriving plants. First, you’ll need garlic, which acts as a natural repellent from pests due to the high quantities of sulphur compounds.
Additionally, chilli is great to repel pests from munching on plant leaves. While liquid dish soap affects the cell membranes of insects, suffocating them. To make this special mixture, crush the garlic and chilli peppers to release their potent oils and compounds. Then, add them to a large spray bottle, with a slight drizzle of dish soap, and top the mixture with water.
Once the mixture is in the container, shake until well combined and leave it to sit overnight. Then strain out the garlic and chilli and transfer the liquid to a spray bottle. Spritz it generously on your plants, focusing on areas prone to pest infestations.
In no time, you should notice a significant decrease in the bug population, making your garden the perfect place to enjoy the sunshine without constantly swatting away pests and flies.
