How to Kill Weeds With Baking Soda

Get rid of weeds organically.

Weeds are nuisance plants that tend to grow aggressively wherever they sprout. Their seeds and spores are easily carried by birds, the wind and other elements. Once they germinate, they can be difficult to eradicate. Commercial weed killers are effective against weeds, but many contain chemicals that are harmful to humans, pets and the environment. Baking soda is a non-toxic, natural weed killer that contains salts that kill weeds and creates a hostile environment that inhibits new growth.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• 1 tsp. measuring spoon

Instructions

1. Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda directly onto the weeds in your garden, taking care not to spill any on other plants or flowers. Weeds should begin to shrivel and die within a few days.

2. Sprinkle small handfuls of baking soda on weeds that grow between cracks of concrete on your driveway.

3. Reapply baking soda if the weed does not respond to the first application. Pull or rake out dead weeds and discard.

Tips & Warnings

• The salt in baking soda can kill your grass and other plants as well. Avoid sprinkling it in areas where you want continued plant growth.

References

• Reader's Digest: 11 Ways to Kill Garden Weeds

Resources

• "Garden Wisdom and Know-How"; Judy Pray" 2010