How to Use Clear Plastic Sheeting to Destroy Weeds

If hard-to-kill weeds are overpowering your lawn or driveway, use clear plastic sheeting to destroy them. The process takes a little time, but in a few weeks, the area will be weed-free. The plastic works with the hot sun to heat and kill the weeds and the roots. The process is called solarization and is one way to kill weeds without harsh chemicals.

Things You'll Need

• Large roll of plastic sheeting
• Vinegar
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of plastic slightly larger than the weed patch.

2. Place the sheeting over the weed patch. Hold down the edges of the sheeting with soil. The edges must be secure so that the heat and moisture stay under the plastic sheeting to heat the ground.

3. Wait for two to three weeks to see if the weeds are dead. If not, lift up one side of the plastic sheeting and pour some vinegar on the weed patch. Replace the side of the plastic sheeting and cover the edge with soil. The vinegar works to sterilize the soil and kill the weeds.

4. After the weeds are dead, plant grass seed and fertilize with a starter fertilizer for grass seed to add the nutrients back into the soil.

Tips & Warnings

• In temperate climates, the best time to use solarization with plastic sheeting is June, when the sun is hot and the temperatures are in the 70s.

References

• Solarization