Comments on: help! I need earth-friendly weeding advice

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:43:41 +0000

Use 20% vinegar. I order mine from Marshall Grain Co. in Forth Worth TX. They sell it in cartons of 4 one gallon jugs. The stuff is MARVELOUS! Spray it on anything you want dead; it starts curling up and turning brown within hours and the next day it is d-e-a-d. Just be absolutely sure you don’t get it on plants you want. It kills by going in the leaf, through the stems and into the roots. Then it disappears into the soil—no harm done. http://www.marshallgrain.com

Phyllis

By: Timothy

Timothy — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:52:55 +0000

You may find this extreme but the Weedburner might be effective.

http://www.charlesandhudson.com/archives/2006/08/weed_burner.htm

By: nia

nia — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:14:00 +0000

pull them by hand when the soil is wet. its really the only way to get rid of them. then take care of your lawn, aerate, de-thatch, overseed, get the soil analyzed if you have time. (this old house has great advice) a healthy lawn will take care of itself and weeding will be minimal.

also — removing lawn for beds, or tree planting is much better. you can never have too many tomatoes!

By: Willa

Willa — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:12:21 +0000

And if you’re going to be out there pulling out dandelions anyway, have you considered just digging up some of the sod as well and putting in some non-lawn plantings: edible landscaping, garden beds, native shrubs and ground cover plants — you can even research native grasses which will do a better job of squeezing out those dandelions than your common lawn grasses will in the long-run.

By: Megan B

Megan B — Thu, 21 May 2009 06:13:01 +0000

Oh Judy! You have no idea- I had plans to save some of the roots for tea, but a naturally fermented drink?! I’m intrigued! Thanks!

By: judyofthewoods

judyofthewoods — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:20:49 +0000

I envy you for your "problem". Dandelions are sooo good for you in so many ways. One of the kings/queens of wild herbs. For starters, great for kidneys and liver and said to detox the system. Both the greens and the roots are good. The roots can be made into a coffee substitute, but my favorite idea, one I am about to try out myself, is to make lactic fermented soda. The roots of many plants contain lactobacilli, the same that make yogurt, and can be used to make a culture, which can then be used to make a fizzy and healthy pop drink like ginger beer and more. There are some video instructions at Learning Herbs . You can dry or roast the roots for later use (not for the soda culture), and "weeding" the lawn can be seen as harvesting. And what's left will enhance the lawn ;-)

By: Megan B

Megan B — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:37:11 +0000

Wow! So it seems like physical labor is the best way, so I guess I’ll have to get one of those hounddog things. I can see myself on a hot and sunny day with my ipod on, ripping up dandelions.

By: dancingmorganmouse

dancingmorganmouse — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Or, you could just try Dandelion Wine!

By: alli

alli — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:10:47 +0000

If you wouldn’t have any zoning/neighbor issues, consider sheep or goats. I haven’t tried it since I don’t have a yard, but it is eco-friendly and goats have even been used to take out kudzu. See the following article about kudzu.

By: lynne

lynne — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:23:20 +0000

oh, this is what I’m talking about: http://www.hound-dog.com/weed_hound.htm