How to Make a Safe and Non-Toxic Weed Killer For a Brick Patio

The long, beautiful, sunny days of spring bring the chance to get out and take advantage of the area outside of our home. Brick patios can be a wonderful place to relax and entertain but when weeds begin to grow between the cracks, it can be a nightmare. Of course, you can apply poisons to kill the weeds but they can be carried into the house on you and your pet's feet. Your own kitchen holds the key to making a safe weed killer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Pour boiling water over any weeds. Depending on the size of your patio, this can be an economical and safe fix. The boiling water works by removing the waxy coating of plants-which protects them from the elements and helps them to complete the process of photosynthesis.

2. 
    
   Ozark Pickling Vinegar

   Purchase inexpensive white vinegar and pour over weeds on a sunny day. You will need to look for vinegar in at least a 10% solution. It can be purchased by the gallon (under $5) in the canning/pickling supply area or search online garden stores for "Ozark Pickling Vinegar". To save even more money, try purchasing the 20% solution and cutting in half with water.

3. 
    
   Corn Gluten Meal

   Sweep corn gluten meal into the cracks before spring. Studies have found the meal to be an excellent natural pre emergent weed preventer. Call your local animal feed store where you can find large bags for around $10.

4. Cover the patio with pieces of large cardboard. Weigh them down, and leave in place for a couple days. This will smother anything growing between your bricks.

5. 
    

   Once you have gotten rid of the weeds keep them from coming back. Make a mixture of fine sand and garden lime. After trying one of the above, sweep the sand/lime mixture into the cracks to prevent weeds from emerging.

[sonnetreader]

on 5/15/2009 I'll try this. Thank you. Sonnetreader 4*

[godfather25]

on 5/14/2009 Outstanding article. Thank you. 5*