Lye to Kill Grass & Weeds
Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, has many uses and is more typically found in drain and oven cleaners. It can also kill grass and weeds, though precautions should be taken.
Features
Lye is a strong base. In the oven and drain cleaners in which it is typically found, lye has a pH of 13 or 14, making it extremely alkaline.
Effects
When applied directly to a plant or a weed, lye does serious damage to its living tissue. Death is the inevitable result. For those seeking a quick solution, lye can be beneficial.
Warning
Avoid pouring lye directly on the soil, as you can unintentionally kill or harm other plants growing in your garden. When poured directly on soil, it raises the pH of that soil, thus depriving plants from getting the nutrients they need to survive. Lye should thus be used carefully and in moderation as a plant and weed killer.
The Drip Cap
- Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, has many uses and is more typically found in drain and oven cleaners.
- In the oven and drain cleaners in which it is typically found, lye has a pH of 13 or 14, making it extremely alkaline.
References
- “Chemical Principles”; Peter Atkins; 2008
Writer Bio
Johnny Burger has worked as an editor at an array of literary, art and fashion magazines since 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in literature from Eugene Lang College. A passionate traveler, Burger has traversed six continents and speaks seven languages fluently.
More Articles
